CHAPTER 11: Fundamentals of Nursing, 2nd Edition – Active Learning for Collaborative Practice by Yoost & Crawford

Fundamentals of Nursing, 2nd Edition – Active Learning for Collaborative Practice by Yoost & Crawford Chapter 11: Ethical and Legal Considerations Multiple Choice Questions 1. Which statement by a nursing student demonstrates accurate understanding about the development of personal ethics? A. "Ethics are internal values developed outside societal influence." B. "Ethics are influenced by variables like family and social norms." C. "Ethics are purely societal without personal factors." D. "Ethics are completely separate from one's character." Answer: B Explanation: Ethics develop through a combination of personal values and external influences like family, culture, and social norms, making them context-dependent rather than isolated. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A ignores societal impact. C dismisses personal values. D contradicts the link between ethics and character. 2. Which ethical theory prioritizes patient rights like privacy and autonomy without considering consequences? A. Deontology B. Utilitarianism C. Autonomy D. Accountability Answer: A Explanation: Deontology focuses on adherence to moral rules (e.g., respecting autonomy) rather than outcomes, unlike utilitarianism which evaluates actions by their consequences. Why Other Options Are Wrong: B judges actions by results. C is a principle, not a theory. D refers to responsibility, not decision-making. 3. How would a nurse applying utilitarianism respond to a cancer patient asked to join a chemotherapy trial? A. "The decision is yours alone." B. "I’ll support your right to refuse." C. "Participating could benefit many others." D. "Decline if it conflicts with your beliefs." Answer: C Explanation: Utilitarianism emphasizes actions that maximize collective benefit, making potential widespread benefits a priority. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A/B reflect autonomy. D aligns with deontology. 4. A nurse reports a medication error and accepts responsibility despite consequences. Which ethical concept is demonstrated? A. Autonomy B. Accountability C. Justice D. Advocacy Answer: B Explanation: Accountability involves owning one’s actions and their impacts, essential for maintaining professional integrity. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A involves self-determination. C is fairness. D supports others’ interests. 5. A nurse coordinates post-stroke home care and equipment delivery. Which ethical concept is prioritized? A. Advocacy B. Confidentiality C. Autonomy D. Accountability Answer: A Explanation: Advocacy involves acting to meet patients’ needs, such as arranging resources for continuity of care. Why Other Options Are Wrong: B protects privacy. C respects decision-making. D involves responsibility. 6. A nurse insists on providing compassionate care to an incarcerated patient regardless of their crime. Which concept is displayed? A. Beneficence B. Advocacy C. Confidentiality D. Autonomy Answer: A Explanation: Beneficence requires doing good unconditionally, including treating all patients with equal compassion. Why Other Options Are Wrong: B focuses on promoting interests. C protects information. D involves self-choice. 7. A nurse administers promised analgesics to a patient in pain. Which ethical principle is upheld? A. Autonomy B. Accountability C. Confidentiality D. Fidelity Answer: D Explanation: Fidelity involves keeping promises, which builds trust in nurse-patient relationships. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A respects choices. B owns actions. C safeguards privacy. 8. The phrase "First, do no harm" aligns with which ethical principle? A. Beneficence B. Justice C. Fidelity D. Nonmaleficence Answer: D Explanation: Nonmaleficence specifically requires avoiding harm, distinct from beneficence which actively promotes good. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A involves doing good. B is fairness. C is promise-keeping. 9. Withholding a cancer diagnosis from a patient conflicts most with which ethical principles? A. Autonomy and veracity B. Veracity and advocacy C. Justice and nonmaleficence D. Confidentiality and justice Answer: A Explanation: Autonomy requires truthful information for informed decisions, and veracity mandates honesty. Why Other Options Are Wrong: B/C/D involve unrelated principles like fairness or harm avoidance. 10. How is the Code of Ethics for Nurses best described? A. Unchangeable like the Constitution B. A concise statement of ethical duties C. Only for entry-level nurses D. Adjustable based on personal views Answer: B Explanation: The Code is a foundational, nonnegotiable outline of nursing’s ethical commitments, applicable to all nurses. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A is false—it’s revisable. C/D misrepresent its universal scope. 11. Which statement by a student nurse shows correct understanding of ethical accountability? A. "I’m held to the same ethical standards as licensed nurses." B. "Ethical rules don’t apply until I graduate." C. "My instructors are responsible for my ethics." D. "Ethics are unimportant for students." Answer: A Explanation: Ethical standards apply immediately upon entering the profession, including during education. Why Other Options Are Wrong: B/C/D falsely limit ethical accountability. 12. How should a nurse respond to a restrained, abusive patient? A. Delay care until calm. B. Only assist with security present. C. Continue meeting needs compassionately. D. Threaten to call police. Answer: C Explanation: Nurses must provide care respectfully regardless of patient behavior, per ethical obligations. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A/B neglect care duties. D escalates conflict. 13. Which student behavior exemplifies incivility? A. Arriving on time B. Texting during class C. Active listening D. Participating Answer: B Explanation: Incivility includes disrespectful actions like texting, which disrupts professional learning environments. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A/C/D demonstrate respectful engagement. 14. What is essential when providing end-of-life care? A. Sharing comforting but false hopes B. Making decisions for the patient C. Offering personal opinions D. Supporting patient/family unconditionally Answer: D Explanation: Ethical end-of-life care prioritizes patient autonomy and family support without imposing personal views. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A violates veracity. B/C disregard autonomy. 15. Which strategy merely prolongs death rather than restoring life? A. Establishing a DNR order B. Following living will requests C. Removing extraordinary measures D. Continuing futile care Answer: D Explanation: Futile care extends dying without benefit, contrary to ethical goals of meaningful treatment. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A/B/C align with patient autonomy and realistic care. 16. Which statement about ethical issues is accurate? A. They rarely occur but are time-consuming. B. The Joint Commission mandates ethics committees. C. They usually require legal intervention. D. Only nurses serve on ethics committees. Answer: B Explanation: Ethics committees, required by The Joint Commission, address care dilemmas collaboratively. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A understates frequency. C/D misrepresent committee roles. 17. Which statement shows correct legal understanding by a nursing student? A. "Frequent law changes increase nurse liability." B. "Licensure laws mainly protect nurses." C. "Nurses aren’t responsible for others’ errors." D. "Staying updated on laws reduces liability." Answer: D Explanation: Knowledge of current laws helps nurses practice safely and avoid legal risks. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A misrepresents liability. B protects the public. C is false— nurses share accountability. 18. What type of crime is practicing nursing without a license? A. Misdemeanor B. Statute C. Felony D. Tort Answer: C Explanation: Unlicensed practice is a felony due to its severe public safety risks. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A involves minor crimes. B is a law type. D is a civil wrong. 19. Starting an IV against a patient’s will constitutes which offense? A. Assault B. Battery C. Felony D. Misdemeanor Answer: B Explanation: Battery involves unauthorized physical contact, including forced medical procedures. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A is a threat without contact. C/D are crime severity categories. 20. How can a nurse avoid slander when frustrated with a frequently readmitted patient? A. Document opinions only. B. Never share observations. C. Make judgments privately. D. Avoid judgmental statements. Answer: D Explanation: Slander involves false, harmful spoken statements; avoiding judgments prevents defamation. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A/B/C don’t address the risk of oral defamation. 21. What should a nurse do if a patient demands discharge against medical advice? A. Have the patient sign an AMA form. B. Follow academic conduct guidelines. C. Consult the Nursing Code of Ethics. D. Require informed consent for discharge. Answer: A Explanation: AMA forms document patient autonomy while protecting providers from liability for leaving against advice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: B/C are irrelevant. D applies to treatments, not discharges. 22. What crime occurs if a nurse engages sexually with a patient? A. Malpractice B. Libel C. Slander D. Battery Answer: A Explanation: Sexual misconduct violates professional standards, constituting malpractice due to ethical breaches. Why Other Options Are Wrong: B/C involve defamation. D is physical harm. 23. What authority do state boards of nursing have? A. Create statutory laws. B. Establish regulatory laws. C. Adjudicate case law. D. Base laws on social customs. Answer: B Explanation: Boards enforce statutory laws by creating specific regulations for nursing practice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A is legislative. C is judicial. D describes historical common law. 24. Which nurse commits a serious documentation error? A. Documents medications before administration. B. Records medications as given. C. Notes assessments immediately. D. Charts intake when trays are collected. Answer: A Explanation: Pre-documenting care not yet delivered is fraudulent and risks patient safety. Why Other Options Are Wrong: B/C/D reflect accurate, timely documentation. 25. Who must explain informed consent content? A. Registered nurse B. Social worker C. Patient’s family D. Procedure provider Answer: D Explanation: Providers performing procedures must detail risks, benefits, and alternatives for valid consent. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A/B/C lack this legal responsibility. 26. Which law protects nurses providing emergency roadside care? A. Good Samaritan Act B. HIPAA C. Licensure laws D. Living wills Answer: A Explanation: Good Samaritan laws shield volunteers from negligence claims if acting within their training. Why Other Options Are Wrong: B protects privacy. C regulates practice. D guides end-of-life care. Multiple Response Questions 1. Which actions help nurses practice legally? (Select all that apply.) A. Maintain confidentiality. B. Share information per guidelines. C. Document once per shift. D. Update procedures from journals. E. Complete licensure requirements. Answer: A, B, E Explanation: Confidentiality, lawful information sharing, and meeting licensure mandates are legal essentials, unlike infrequent documentation or unofficial practice changes. Why Other Options Are Wrong: C risks inaccuracy. D bypasses institutional protocols. 2. What is true about informed consent with interpreters? (Select all that apply.) A. Use professional interpreters. B. Family may interpret if convenient. C. Prioritize detailed medical information. D. Professional interpreters are ineffective. E. Family can decide if culturally appropriate. Answer: A, C, E Explanation: Professional interpreters ensure accuracy, detailed explanations are mandatory, and some cultures delegate decisions to family. Why Other Options Are Wrong: B risks miscommunication. D is false—trained interpreters are effective. 3. Which documents are advance directives? (Select all that apply.) A. Living will B. Durable power of attorney C. Health care proxy D. Patient’s Bill of Rights E. Uniform Anatomical Gift Act Answer: A, B, C Explanation: Advance directives include living wills, durable POA, and health care proxies to guide future care. Why Other Options Are Wrong: D outlines patient rights. E governs organ donation.