Chapter 3: Ethical and Legal Issues

+Chapter 3: Ethical and Legal Issues

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers*

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

Multiple Choice

Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

 

____     1.   In response to a student’s question regarding choosing a psychiatric specialty, a charge nurse states, “Mentally ill clients need special care. If I were in that position, I’d want a caring nurse also.” From which ethical framework is the charge nurse operating?

1.	Kantianism
2.	Christian ethics
3.	Ethical egoism
4.	Utilitarianism

 

 

____     2.   During a hiring interview, which response by a nursing applicant should indicate that the applicant operates from an ethical egoism framework?

1.	“I would want to be treated in a caring manner if I were mentally ill.”
2.	“This job will pay the bills, and the workload is light enough for me.”
3.	“I will be happy caring for the mentally ill. Working in med/surg kills my back.”
4.	“It is my duty in life to be a psychiatric nurse. It is the right thing to do.”

 

 

____     3.   Without authorization, a nurse administers an extra dose of narcotic tranquilizer to an agitated client. The nurse’s coworker observes this action but does nothing for fear of retaliation. What is the ethical interpretation of the coworker’s lack of involvement?

1.	Taking no action is still considered an unethical action by the coworker.
2.	Taking no action releases the coworker from ethical responsibility.
3.	Taking no action is advised when potential adverse consequences are foreseen.
4.	Taking no action is acceptable, because the coworker is only a bystander.

 

 

____     4.   Group therapy is strongly encouraged, but not mandatory, in an inpatient psychiatric unit. The unit manager’s policy is that clients can make a choice about whether or not to attend group therapy. Which ethical principle does the unit manager’s policy preserve?

1.	Justice
2.	Autonomy
3.	Veracity
4.	Beneficence

 

 

____     5.   Which is an example of an intentional tort?

1.	A nurse fails to assess a client’s obvious symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
2.	A nurse physically places an irritating client in four-point restraints.
3.	A nurse makes a medication error and does not report the incident.
4.	A nurse gives patient information to an unauthorized person.

 

Chapter 3: Ethical and Legal Issues

Answer Section

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. ANS:  2

Chapter: Chapter 3, Ethical and Legal Issues

Objective: Discuss ethical theories including utilitarianism, Kantianism, Christian ethics, natural law, theories, and ethical egoism.

Page: 42

Heading: Ethical Considerations > Theoretical Perspectives

Integrated Processes: Teaching and Learning

Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity

Cognitive Level: Analysis [Analyzing]

Concept: Self

Difficulty: Easy

 

	Feedback
1	Kantianism states that decisions should be made based on moral law and that actions are bound by a sense of moral duty.
2	The charge nurse is operating from a Christian ethics framework. The imperative demand of Christian ethics is that all decisions about right and wrong should be centered in love for God and in treating others with the same respect and dignity with which we would expect to be treated.
3	Ethical egoism promotes the idea that what is right is good for the individual.
4	Utilitarianism holds that decisions should be made focusing on the end result being happiness.

 

 

PTS:   1                    CON:  Self

 

2. ANS:  2

Chapter: Chapter 3, Ethical and Legal Issues

Objective: Discuss ethical theories including utilitarianism, Kantianism, Christian ethics, natural law, theories, and ethical egoism.

Page: 42

Heading: Ethical Considerations > Theoretical Perspectives

Integrated Processes: Teaching and Learning

Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity

Cognitive Level: Analysis [Analyzing]

Concept: Self

Difficulty: Easy

 

	Feedback
1	This statement reflects Christian ethics.
2	The applicant’s comment reflects the ethical egoism framework. This framework promotes the idea that decisions are made based on what is good for the individual and may not take the needs of others into account.
3	This statement does not accurately reflect the ethical egoism framework.
4	This statement reflects Kantianism.

 

 

PTS:   1                    CON:  Self

 

3. ANS:  1

Chapter: Chapter 3, Ethical and Legal Issues

Objective: Define ethical dilemma.

Page: 42

Heading: Ethical Dilemmas

Integrated Processes: Nursing Process

Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity

Cognitive Level: Analysis [Analyzing]

Concept: Ethics

Difficulty: Easy

 

	Feedback
1	The coworker’s lack of involvement can be interpreted as an unethical action. The coworker is experiencing an ethical dilemma in which a decision needs to be made between two unfavorable alternatives. The coworker has a responsibility to report any observed unethical actions.
2	The coworker is not released from responsibilities by taking no action.
3	Taking no action is never advised when harm could come to the client.
4	The coworker has a responsibility to report any observed unethical actions.

 

 

PTS:   1                    CON:  Ethics

 

4. ANS:  2

Chapter: Chapter 3, Ethical and Legal Issues

Objective: 4. Discuss the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and veracity.

Page: 42

Heading: Ethical Principles

Integrated Processes: Nursing Process

Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity

Cognitive Level: Application [Applying]

Concept: Ethics

Difficulty: Easy

 

	Feedback
1	The principle of justice requires individuals to be treated fairly.
2	The unit manager’s policy regarding voluntary client participation in group therapy preserves the ethical principle of autonomy. The principle of autonomy presumes that individuals are capable of making independent decisions for themselves and that health-care workers must respect these decisions.
3	Veracity refers to one’s duty to always be truthful.
4	Beneficence refers to the duty to promote the good of others.

 

 

PTS:   1                    CON:  Ethics

 

5. ANS:  2

Chapter: Chapter 3, Ethical and Legal Issues

Objective: Differentiate between civil and criminal law.

Page: 47

Heading: Classifications Within Statutory and Common Law > Civil Law

Integrated Processes: Nursing Process

Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity

Cognitive Level: Application [Applying]

Concept: Legal

Difficulty: Easy

 

	Feedback
1	Failing to assess a client is an example of an unintentional tort.
2	A tort, which can be intentional or unintentional, is a violation of civil law in which an individual has been wronged. A nurse who intentionally physically places an irritating client in restraints has touched the client without consent and has committed an intentional tort.
3	Failing to report a medical error is an example of an unintentional tort.
4	Giving patient information to an unauthorized person is a violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

 

 

PTS:   1                    CON:  Legal