LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN NURSING 2026
CERTIFICATION EVALUATION TEST PAPER
QUESTIONS SOLUTIONS GRADED A PLUS
◉ What is the purpose of criminal law?
Answer: To punish for crimes and deter further offenses.
◉ What is the focus of civil law?
Answer: To address violations of individual rights and restore the
aggrieved person.
◉ What are the four key elements that must be present for
malpractice liability to be established?
Answer: Duty, Breach, Harm, and Proximate cause of harm.
◉ What is the legal relationship between a nurse and a patient?
Answer: It is a professional relationship governed by laws and
ethical standards.
◉ How can nurses avoid being involved in lawsuits?
Answer: By adhering to standards of care and maintaining
professional conduct.
, ◉ What does the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act (HIPAA) privacy rule regulate?
Answer: It regulates the protection of patient privacy and health
information.
◉ What is the difference between legal duty and ethical duty?
Answer: Legal duty is mandated by law, while ethical duty is guided
by moral principles.
◉ What are advance directives?
Answer: Legal documents that allow individuals to outline their
preferences for medical treatment.
◉ How do values affect decision-making in nursing?
Answer: Values influence the choices nurses make regarding patient
care and ethical dilemmas.
◉ What is the meaning of a code of ethics in nursing?
Answer: A set of guidelines that outline the ethical responsibilities of
nurses.
◉ What role does a nurse play in reporting unethical behavior?
CERTIFICATION EVALUATION TEST PAPER
QUESTIONS SOLUTIONS GRADED A PLUS
◉ What is the purpose of criminal law?
Answer: To punish for crimes and deter further offenses.
◉ What is the focus of civil law?
Answer: To address violations of individual rights and restore the
aggrieved person.
◉ What are the four key elements that must be present for
malpractice liability to be established?
Answer: Duty, Breach, Harm, and Proximate cause of harm.
◉ What is the legal relationship between a nurse and a patient?
Answer: It is a professional relationship governed by laws and
ethical standards.
◉ How can nurses avoid being involved in lawsuits?
Answer: By adhering to standards of care and maintaining
professional conduct.
, ◉ What does the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act (HIPAA) privacy rule regulate?
Answer: It regulates the protection of patient privacy and health
information.
◉ What is the difference between legal duty and ethical duty?
Answer: Legal duty is mandated by law, while ethical duty is guided
by moral principles.
◉ What are advance directives?
Answer: Legal documents that allow individuals to outline their
preferences for medical treatment.
◉ How do values affect decision-making in nursing?
Answer: Values influence the choices nurses make regarding patient
care and ethical dilemmas.
◉ What is the meaning of a code of ethics in nursing?
Answer: A set of guidelines that outline the ethical responsibilities of
nurses.
◉ What role does a nurse play in reporting unethical behavior?
