Chapter 06: ETHICS IN COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING PRACTICE

Chapter 06: ETHICS IN COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING PRACTICE

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. In which year was the first code of ethics for nursing written?

a.	In 1893, by Lystra Gretter
b.	In 1950, by the American Nurses Association (ANA) House of Delegates
c.	In 1954, by the International Council of Nurses (ICN)
d.	In 2001, by the American Nurses Association (ANA) House of Delegates

 

 

ANS:  A

The Nightingale Pledge, considered nursing’s first code of ethics, was written by Lystra Gretter in 1893.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Knowledge            REF:   p. 166             OBJ:   1

TOP:   CRNE Competency: Professional Practice

 

2. A community health nurse (CHN) is facing an ethical dilemma and is not able to determine which option would have the best outcome. She finally decides to talk to her supervisor and let the supervisor decide which action to take. Ethically, into which category does the CHN’s decision fall?

a.	The decision is appropriate because the supervisor is responsible for the CHN’s choices.
b.	The decision is intelligent because the supervisor has access to resource persons (spiritual leaders, physicians, administrators) who may know of options that the CHN has not considered.
c.	The decision is advisable, but only as an opportunity to further discuss the issue because ultimately the CHN is still responsible for her own choice.
d.	The decision is smart because the supervisor would be more aware of community priorities.

 

 

ANS:  C

Ethically, each CHN is responsible for his or her own decisions. A CHN cannot circumvent ethical accountability by avoiding decision making and relying solely on a supervisor or any external rule or policy to make a decision.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application           REF:   p. 167             OBJ:   2

TOP:   CRNE Competency: Professional Practice

 

3. Which of the following is the first and most crucial step in the ethical decision-making process?

a.	Assessing the context or environment in which a decision must be made
b.	Considering the various ethical principles or theories
c.	Identifying the ethical concerns
d.	Making a decision and acting on it

 

 

ANS:  C

The first step in the ethical decision-making framework is to carefully identify the ethical issue or dilemma.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application           REF:   p. 167, Table 6-1

OBJ:   3                    TOP:   CRNE Competency: Professional Practice

 

4. A CHN has been asked to meet with a couple that recently emigrated from Botswana. The clinic doctor told the man about his wife’s diagnosis of breast cancer, and the couple was about to leave. Although all of the following actions by the CHN might be appropriate, which one is probably the most important action, ethically?

a.	Insisting that the family set up a surgical appointment for the wife immediately
b.	Assessing the family’s current living situation, including insurance and other assets
c.	Educating the family about breast cancer, including the standard treatment and the prognosis
d.	Interviewing the family to find out about their perception of the threat to the family’s well-being

 

 

ANS:  D

Canada is a country made up of diverse ethnic groups and diverse cultural values. Before any intervention can be made, health care professionals must understand the family’s cultural, psychological, social, communal, environmental, and other contexts because these contexts affect the way issues are perceived and decisions made. Therefore, it is crucial to first interview the family to assess their understanding of the situation before deciding on the next step.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application           REF:   p. 167, Table 6-1

OBJ:    3          TOP:    CRNE Competency: Professional Practice