Ethics and Law

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?

  1. Direct supervision

  2. Basic patient situation

  3. Basic nursing care

  4. 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?

  1. Definition of nursing

  2. Salary levels for LPNs

  3. Scope of practice

  4. Functions of the state’s board of nursing

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

  1. Felony

  2. Misdemeanor

  3. Assault and battery

  4. Intentional tort

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?

  1. Suspension of license

  2. Denial of licensure

  3. Referral to the police for criminal charges

  4. Civil action

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

  1. Libel

  2. Felony

  3. Malpractice

  4. Assault

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

  1. A nurse or physician may write a DNR order.

  2. Partial or slow codes may be requested by a patient.

  3. DNR orders must always be updated by the patient.

  4. 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?

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

  2. The patient’s physician will directly administer a drug to the patient that will end his life.

  3. The patient will receive heavy sedation in the last days of his life that will cause him to be unconscious.

  4. The physician will give others the authority not to intervene if the patient dies.

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?

  1. Reapply to the state nursing board for licensure.

  2. Apply to write the NCLEX in order to maintain licensure.

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

  4. Determine the scope of practice for LPNs in this city.

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

  1. Communicable disease

  2. Rape

  3. Refusal of treatment based on personal beliefs

  4. Injury related to equipment malfunction

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?

  1. Clinically and legally competent

  2. Legally but not clinically competent

  3. Clinically but not legally competent

  4. Incompetent legally and clinically

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?

  1. “I am not able to do the catheterization because I haven’t been taught it yet.”

  2. “I will get the tray and do it right away. Thank you for the opportunity.”

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

  4. “I have been taught catheterizations but haven’t done it with a patient. Could you observe me?”

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

  1. True

  2. False

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

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

  2. A nurse may ethically refuse to assist with an abortion procedure if his or her objection is presented in writing and discussed during employment.

  3. The nurse’s best strategy is to seek employment in places that do not participate in ethical services of which he or she disapproves.

  4. The nurse may present a statement of objection to a procedure, based on religious or moral reasons, before starting employment.

Which measure is included in the nursing standards of practice?

  1. Autonomy

  2. Acceptability

  3. Accountability

  4. Advocacy

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

  1. Fidelity

  2. Autonomy

  3. Beneficence

  4. Nonmaleficence

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

  1. Justice

  2. Beneficence

  3. Nonmaleficence

  4. Fidelity

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?

  1. Beneficence

  2. Fidelity

  3. Autonomy

  4. Nonmaleficence

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

  1. Fidelity

  2. Justice

  3. Privacy

  4. Beneficence

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?

  1. Beneficence

  2. Fidelity

  3. Justice

  4. Autonomy

Which example justifies beneficent paternalism?

  1. After a history has been collected from a long-time smoker about to undergo lung surgery for cancer, the patient is placed in a category of chronic smokers with poor prognosis.

  2. In the development of a care plan for a patient with substance abuse, the patient’s input is ignored.

  3. A patient asks a nurse for an opinion on sinus surgery, and the nurse responds, “Well, if I were you, I would have it done.”

  4. 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?

  1. National Association of Practical Nurse Educators and Services (NAPNES)

  2. National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurse (NFLPN)

  3. Nurse Practice Act

  4. Hospital medical ethics committees

Which example would illustrate how ethics has changed for nursing?

  1. A patient does not want to have a diagnostic procedure. The nurse insists that he get ready for the procedure because his doctor has ordered it.

  2. A nurse wonders if it is appropriate to lie to a confused patient about his wife’s death. She asks the physician for an order.

  3. 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.

  4. A patient has given consent for surgery. Her questions about her preoperative preparation suggest that she is unaware of the exact type of surgery that she is having. The nurse reassures her that “the doctor knows what he is doing.”

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

  1. True

  2. False