Ethics and Law

Good Luck!

A critically ill patient is having progressive shortness of breath and no urinary output and has multiple stat physician orders. Which description fits this scenario?

Complex nursing situation

A student nurse is interested in finding out more about the scope and role of the LPN and about salary levels. The student consults the Nurse Practice Act (NPA) in the student’s state. Which would not be found in this act?

Salary levels for LPNs

Which criminal action is demonstrated when a nurse removes life support before the patient has been pronounced dead by the physician?

Felony

A nurse was convicted of sexual assault involving a patient. The nurse applies for licensure in another state and discloses the conviction. Which action can be taken for the state board of nursing?

Denial of licensure

A patient develops respiratory distress immediately after the nurse administers an improper medication. Which describes the reason for legal action brought against the nurse?

Which statement is true about do not resuscitate (DNR) orders?

 If a written DNR order does not exist and a nurse does not try to resuscitate the patient, the nurse is making a medical decision.

A patient, who has been given a month to live, suffers intolerable cancer pain. He requests physician-assisted suicide (PAS). Which situation must occur to provide PAS?

 The patient will take drugs to end his life that his physician has provided to the patient.

A nurse moves to a new city in the same state and takes a new position as an LPN. Which action does the LPN need to take upon moving to the new city?

 Advise the state nursing board of the change of address and other contact information.

Which aspect of patient care should not be reported due to privacy laws?

Refusal of treatment based on personal beliefs

An 18-year-old patient encounters fetal distress while in active labor. After options and their consequences have been explained, the patient gives consent for a cesarean section. Which terms pertain to this patient?

Clinically and legally competent

You are asked by a nurse on the unit to perform a catheterization. You have received instruction and practiced catheterization in the lab, but because you have not yet performed it on a patient, you are not fully confident. Which response would be appropriate?

“I am not allowed to do catheterizations as a student. I have to wait until I am a graduate.”

Negligence is conduct that falls below the standards established by the law for the protection of others against the unreasonable risk of harm.

True

Which statement would the nurse disregard when considering the personal code of ethics applied to nursing?

A nurse may refuse to give postabortion care to a woman if ethically opposed to abortion.

Which measure is included in the nursing standards of practice?

Accountability

Which ethical principle is being implemented when the nurse checks the temperature of formula before feeding an infant patient?

Nonmaleficence

Which ethical principle is demonstrated when a nurse gives the wrong medication to a patient and reports it immediately to the supervisor?

Beneficence

Which ethical principle is demonstrated when an older adult patient agrees to colon surgery for cancer after having discussed all aspects of the surgery, risks, and benefits with the surgeon?

Autonomy

Which ethical principle is breached when a nurse discusses a patient by name at home with a family member?

Fidelity

A patient is admitted to a long-term care facility. The patient has acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The nurse spends less time with the patient than with her other patients on the unit because of the belief that the patient brought on the disease and does not deserve care. Which ethical principle is being breached?

Justice

Which example justifies beneficent paternalism?

A physician asks the court for permission to perform a potentially lifesaving procedure for a child because the parents have refused to sign an authorized treatment form.

Which of the following does not include ethical codes for LPNs?

 Hospital medical ethics committees

Which example would illustrate how ethics has changed for nursing?

 A patient asks the nurse to keep the patient’s addiction a secret even though the patient is taking prescribed drugs that could interact with alcohol. The nurse makes a decision based on ethical and legal knowledge.

Both morals and ethics are concerned with dealing with right or wrong behavior and character.

True