Understanding Legal and Ethical Issues Ch.7 Exam
Practice Questions & All Correct Answers
The nurse completes an admission assessment with the client. The client hands the nurse two
documents. The documents state the treatment the client wants withheld if permanently unconscious,
in the event of terminal illness, and the primary physician's order for no heroics. The nurse
communicates in report that copies of which documents are located in the chart? Select all that apply.
1. Do-Not-Resuscitate order (DNR)
2. Tort
3. Living will
4. Will
5. Durable power of attorney (DPOA) - Answer *Answer: 1, 3*
*Explanation:*
1. The DNR is a medical order that no resuscitative measures be administered to the client.
2. Tort is divided into unintentional (professional negligence) and intentional (intent to harm is present).
3. A living will is when the competent adult signs a form indicating what healthcare the person does and
does not want in the event of terminal illness.
4. A will is a legal declaration by which a person, the testator, names one or more persons to manage his
or her estate and provides for the distribution of his or her property at death.
5. The DPOA is for healthcare decisions permitting a competent adult to appoint a surrogate or proxy to
make decisions in the event that the individual becomes unable to do so.
The nurse manager has had two incidents happen on the unit in the last month. An LPN administered an
intravenous push (IVP) medication to a client and a nurse noticed alcohol on another nurse's breath. The
manager is aware that the ________ will take action after being notified of these incidents. - Answer
*Answer: State Board of Nursing*
*Explanation:*
It is the nurses' duty to educate, examine and report another nurse's behavior to protect the health,
safety, and welfare of the public.
A 14-year-old client tells the nurse that she is going to have sexual activity with her boyfriend. What
should the nurse say to the client? Select all that apply.
, 1. "You need to make an appointment to get birth control."
2. "Tell me more about this decision."
3. "Have you told anyone about this decision?"
4. "Do you have any insurance to pay for this visit?"
5. "I'll have to tell your parents about this." - Answer *Answer: 2, 3*
*Explanation:*
1. Telling the client to make an appointment and get birth control takes the client's autonomy away and
does not address the client's present need.
2. Allowing the client to talk through this decision and giving options is helping to address the client's
needs.
3. Enquiring about if the client has talked to anyone helps to address the client's need for information.
4. Knowing whether the client has insurance does not address the client's needs.
5. This answer is incorrect; the nurse would not need to tell the parents because this information is
confidential.
A client is admitted for back pain and the client's family plans with the nurse what interventions will be
initiated for the client. The issue with this plan of care is the lack of ________. - Answer *Answer:
autonomy*
*Explanation:*
Autonomy is the ability of an individual to determine his or her own course of action.
Restraining clients without consent or sufficient justification may be interpreted as ________. - Answer
*Answer: false imprisonment*
*Explanation:*
Restraining clients without consent or sufficient justification may be interpreted as false imprisonment.
In addition to legal rights, the use of restraints involves ethical issues such as autonomy and
beneficence.
Which of the following requirements are necessary for informed consent? Select all that apply.
1. Privacy
Practice Questions & All Correct Answers
The nurse completes an admission assessment with the client. The client hands the nurse two
documents. The documents state the treatment the client wants withheld if permanently unconscious,
in the event of terminal illness, and the primary physician's order for no heroics. The nurse
communicates in report that copies of which documents are located in the chart? Select all that apply.
1. Do-Not-Resuscitate order (DNR)
2. Tort
3. Living will
4. Will
5. Durable power of attorney (DPOA) - Answer *Answer: 1, 3*
*Explanation:*
1. The DNR is a medical order that no resuscitative measures be administered to the client.
2. Tort is divided into unintentional (professional negligence) and intentional (intent to harm is present).
3. A living will is when the competent adult signs a form indicating what healthcare the person does and
does not want in the event of terminal illness.
4. A will is a legal declaration by which a person, the testator, names one or more persons to manage his
or her estate and provides for the distribution of his or her property at death.
5. The DPOA is for healthcare decisions permitting a competent adult to appoint a surrogate or proxy to
make decisions in the event that the individual becomes unable to do so.
The nurse manager has had two incidents happen on the unit in the last month. An LPN administered an
intravenous push (IVP) medication to a client and a nurse noticed alcohol on another nurse's breath. The
manager is aware that the ________ will take action after being notified of these incidents. - Answer
*Answer: State Board of Nursing*
*Explanation:*
It is the nurses' duty to educate, examine and report another nurse's behavior to protect the health,
safety, and welfare of the public.
A 14-year-old client tells the nurse that she is going to have sexual activity with her boyfriend. What
should the nurse say to the client? Select all that apply.
, 1. "You need to make an appointment to get birth control."
2. "Tell me more about this decision."
3. "Have you told anyone about this decision?"
4. "Do you have any insurance to pay for this visit?"
5. "I'll have to tell your parents about this." - Answer *Answer: 2, 3*
*Explanation:*
1. Telling the client to make an appointment and get birth control takes the client's autonomy away and
does not address the client's present need.
2. Allowing the client to talk through this decision and giving options is helping to address the client's
needs.
3. Enquiring about if the client has talked to anyone helps to address the client's need for information.
4. Knowing whether the client has insurance does not address the client's needs.
5. This answer is incorrect; the nurse would not need to tell the parents because this information is
confidential.
A client is admitted for back pain and the client's family plans with the nurse what interventions will be
initiated for the client. The issue with this plan of care is the lack of ________. - Answer *Answer:
autonomy*
*Explanation:*
Autonomy is the ability of an individual to determine his or her own course of action.
Restraining clients without consent or sufficient justification may be interpreted as ________. - Answer
*Answer: false imprisonment*
*Explanation:*
Restraining clients without consent or sufficient justification may be interpreted as false imprisonment.
In addition to legal rights, the use of restraints involves ethical issues such as autonomy and
beneficence.
Which of the following requirements are necessary for informed consent? Select all that apply.
1. Privacy
