| Dimensions of Nursing Practice
Q&A with Rationale | Rasmussen
University
1. Which ethical principle involves the nurse’s obligation to do no harm to the patient?
A. Non-maleficence
B. Beneficence
C. Justice
D. Autonomy
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Non-maleficence is the core ethical principle that dictates healthcare
providers should avoid causing harm. This principle requires nurses to be competent and
to follow safety protocols to protect patients from injury. It is often weighed against
beneficence when determining the risks and benefits of a specific treatment.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a blood transfusion due to religious beliefs.
Which principle is the nurse honoring?
A. Fidelity
B. Autonomy
,C. Veracity
D. Paternalism
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Autonomy refers to the patient’s right to make their own healthcare
decisions based on their values and beliefs. Even if the nurse believes the treatment is
necessary, they must respect the patient’s refusal. This respect for self-determination is a
cornerstone of professional nursing practice and legal consent.
3. Which nursing theorist is known for the ‘Environmental Theory’ which emphasizes clean
air, water, and light?
A. Jean Watson
B. Sister Callista Roy
C. Dorothea Orem
D. Florence Nightingale
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Florence Nightingale was the first nursing theorist and proposed that
the environment significantly impacts patient healing. Her theory focused on providing
fresh air, pure water, efficient drainage, cleanliness, and light to facilitate recovery. These
principles laid the foundation for modern nursing hygiene and public health standards.
, 4. What is the primary purpose of the Nurse Practice Act (NPA)?
A. To provide a list of hospital policies and procedures
B. To define the scope of practice and protect the public
C. To establish the salaries for registered nurses
D. To provide legal defense for nurses in malpractice suits
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: The Nurse Practice Act is a set of laws in each state that regulates the
nursing profession to ensure safety. It defines what a nurse can and cannot do within their
legal scope of practice. By regulating licensure and practice, the act primarily serves to
protect the health and welfare of the public.
5. A nurse tells a patient they will return in 15 minutes to check their pain level but does not
return for an hour. This is a violation of:
A. Justice
B. Veracity
C. Confidentiality
D. Fidelity
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Fidelity involves being faithful to commitments and promises made
to patients. When a nurse promises a specific action and fails to follow through, the trust