NURS 110 Professional Nursing Week 4 Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a scheduled blood transfusion for
religious reasons. The nurse respects this decision despite believing the
transfusion is necessary. Which ethical principle is being demonstrated?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Justice
D. Non-maleficence
Answer: A
Rationale: Autonomy is the right of patients to make their own healthcare decisions.
Respecting a refusal based on personal or religious beliefs is a classic application of
autonomy.
2. Which element is NOT one of the four required components to prove
professional negligence (malpractice)?
A. Duty to the patient
B. Breach of duty
C. Proximate cause
D. Intent to cause harm
Answer: D
Rationale: Negligence is an unintentional tort. Unlike assault or battery, the plaintiff does
not need to prove the nurse intended to cause harm, only that the standard of care was
breached and resulted in injury.
,3. A nurse tells a patient, ‘If you don’t stay in bed, I will put you in restraints.’
This statement could legally be considered:
A. Battery
B. Assault
C. False Imprisonment
D. Negligence
Answer: B
Rationale: Assault is an intentional threat that creates a person’s fear of harmful or
offensive contact. Since the nurse threatened the patient with restraints, it constitutes
assault.
4. While performing a procedure, a nurse accidentally causes a skin tear on an
elderly patient. The nurse immediately reports the incident and documents it.
This action follows which ethical principle?
A. Fidelity
B. Veracity
C. Paternalism
D. Justice
Answer: B
Rationale: Veracity refers to the obligation to tell the truth. By reporting the error
honestly, the nurse is practicing veracity.
5. The Nurse Practice Act (NPA) is primarily designed to:
A. Protect the nurse from lawsuits
B. Protect the public from unskilled or unsafe practitioners
C. Define the salary scales for RNs
D. Standardize nursing education across all states
Answer: B
, Rationale: The primary purpose of the Nurse Practice Act and the State Board of Nursing is
to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the general public.
6. An emergency room nurse treats a patient who has been stabilized but lacks
insurance. The nurse ensures the patient is not discharged until a safe transfer is
arranged. This complies with which federal law?
A. EMTALA
B. PSDA
C. HIPAA
D. ADA
Answer: A
Rationale: The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) requires hospitals
to stabilize and treat patients in an emergency regardless of their ability to pay.
7. A nurse is asked to witness a patient signing an informed consent form for
surgery. What is the nurse’s primary legal responsibility in this role?
A. Ensuring the patient understands the risks and benefits of the surgery
B. Explaining the surgical procedure to the patient
C. Assessing the patient’s alternative treatment options
D. Verifying that the signature is authentic and the patient appears competent
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse witnesses the signature to confirm it is the patient signing and that
the patient is acting voluntarily and is competent. The provider performing the procedure
is responsible for the actual explanation of risks and benefits.
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a scheduled blood transfusion for
religious reasons. The nurse respects this decision despite believing the
transfusion is necessary. Which ethical principle is being demonstrated?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Justice
D. Non-maleficence
Answer: A
Rationale: Autonomy is the right of patients to make their own healthcare decisions.
Respecting a refusal based on personal or religious beliefs is a classic application of
autonomy.
2. Which element is NOT one of the four required components to prove
professional negligence (malpractice)?
A. Duty to the patient
B. Breach of duty
C. Proximate cause
D. Intent to cause harm
Answer: D
Rationale: Negligence is an unintentional tort. Unlike assault or battery, the plaintiff does
not need to prove the nurse intended to cause harm, only that the standard of care was
breached and resulted in injury.
,3. A nurse tells a patient, ‘If you don’t stay in bed, I will put you in restraints.’
This statement could legally be considered:
A. Battery
B. Assault
C. False Imprisonment
D. Negligence
Answer: B
Rationale: Assault is an intentional threat that creates a person’s fear of harmful or
offensive contact. Since the nurse threatened the patient with restraints, it constitutes
assault.
4. While performing a procedure, a nurse accidentally causes a skin tear on an
elderly patient. The nurse immediately reports the incident and documents it.
This action follows which ethical principle?
A. Fidelity
B. Veracity
C. Paternalism
D. Justice
Answer: B
Rationale: Veracity refers to the obligation to tell the truth. By reporting the error
honestly, the nurse is practicing veracity.
5. The Nurse Practice Act (NPA) is primarily designed to:
A. Protect the nurse from lawsuits
B. Protect the public from unskilled or unsafe practitioners
C. Define the salary scales for RNs
D. Standardize nursing education across all states
Answer: B
, Rationale: The primary purpose of the Nurse Practice Act and the State Board of Nursing is
to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the general public.
6. An emergency room nurse treats a patient who has been stabilized but lacks
insurance. The nurse ensures the patient is not discharged until a safe transfer is
arranged. This complies with which federal law?
A. EMTALA
B. PSDA
C. HIPAA
D. ADA
Answer: A
Rationale: The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) requires hospitals
to stabilize and treat patients in an emergency regardless of their ability to pay.
7. A nurse is asked to witness a patient signing an informed consent form for
surgery. What is the nurse’s primary legal responsibility in this role?
A. Ensuring the patient understands the risks and benefits of the surgery
B. Explaining the surgical procedure to the patient
C. Assessing the patient’s alternative treatment options
D. Verifying that the signature is authentic and the patient appears competent
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse witnesses the signature to confirm it is the patient signing and that
the patient is acting voluntarily and is competent. The provider performing the procedure
is responsible for the actual explanation of risks and benefits.
