Chapter 05: Ethics

Chapter 05: Ethics

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. A 73-year-old patient with hypertension is awaiting a triple cardiac bypass surgery. Robert is hard of hearing and did not understand what the surgeon told him regarding the surgery. His daughter is concerned that he does not understand the risks of the surgery. If not clarified, this would be a violation of what principle?

A.	Autonomy
B.	Justice
C.	Fidelity
D.	Nonmaleficence

 

 

ANS:   A

Autonomy refers to a person’s independence. As a principle in bioethics, autonomy represents an agreement to respect a patient’s right to determine a course of action.

 

PTS:    1                      DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis                  REF:    63

OBJ:    Describe ethical conflicts nurses experience in different clinical settings

TOP:    Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC:   Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment

 

2. A 45-year-old mother of two children has cirrhosis of the liver and is on a waiting list for a liver transplantation. She had to meet certain criteria to be eligible to receive a liver. She has been waiting for seven months for a donor liver and fears that she is running out of time. She understands that she is next on the list for a donor liver that matches. This is an example of which of the following principles?

A.	Autonomy
B.	Justice
C.	Fidelity
D.	Nonmaleficence

 

 

ANS:   B

Justice refers to the principle of fairness. A nurse will often refer to this principle when discussing issues of health care resources. In the United States a national multidisciplinary committee strives for fairness by ranking recipients according to need, rather than resorting to selling organs for profit or distributing them by lottery.

 

PTS:    1                      DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis                  REF:    63

OBJ:    Describe ethical conflicts nurses experience in different clinical settings

TOP:    Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC:   Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance

 

3. A registered nurse who works on an oncology unit discussed pain control options that the health care provider had ordered with a patient undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer. The patient requested that they be given prn intravenous (IV) pain medication on a regular basis. The nurse agreed to provide the prn IV pain medication as requested. This is an example of which of the following principles?

A.	Autonomy
B.	Justice
C.	Fidelity
D.	Nonmaleficence

 

 

ANS:   C

Fidelity refers to the agreement to keep promises. The principle of fidelity also promotes the obligation of a nurse to follow through with the care offered to patients.

 

PTS:    1                      DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis                  REF:    63

OBJ:    Describe ethical conflicts nurses experience in different clinical settings

TOP:    Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC:   Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment

 

4. A registered nurse knows that an oncology patient undergoing a bone marrow transplant will spend weeks in isolation in the hospital. During that time the patient will be at an increased risk for infection and other complications. There is the possibility that the patient may not recover from the complications of the procedure. The nurse has a duty to ensure that the patient has been given information regarding the risks and potential benefits of the procedure. This is an example of which of the following principles?

A.	Autonomy
B.	Justice
C.	Fidelity
D.	Nonmaleficence

 

 

ANS:   D

The principle of nonmaleficence promotes a continuing effort to consider the potential for harm even when it is necessary to promote health.

 

PTS:    1                      DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis                  REF:    63

OBJ:    Describe ethical conflicts nurses experience in different clinical settings

TOP:    Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC:   Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment

 

5. A registered nurse is working on a pediatric oncology unit and caring for four children undergoing chemotherapy. Today she has a new nursing assistive personnel (NAP) assigned to assist her. Although she has never worked with this person, she understands that the NAP had to pass a basic competency examination before he was allowed to work on the unit with patients. She will delegate a portion of the fundamental nursing tasks to the NAP during the shift. This is an example of demonstrating which of the following?

A.	Ethical dilemma
B.	Code of ethics
C.	Bioethics
D.	Feminist ethics

 

 

ANS:   B

The code of ethics reflects underlying principles that include responsibility, accountability, respect for confidentiality, competency, judgment, and advocacy.

 

PTS:    1                      DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis                  REF:    63

OBJ:    Explain the importance of accountability and responsibility in nursing practice

TOP:    Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC:   Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment