KAPLAN NURSING ETHICS EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Ethical Principles and Theories (autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice)
Professional Standards and Code of Ethics (ANA Code of Ethics)
Patient Rights and Advocacy
Regulatory and Legal Compliance (HIPAA, informed consent, capacity)
Ethical Decision-Making Models and Critical Thinking
Real-World Clinical Ethics Scenarios
Center-Aligned Introduction*
This nursing ethics assessment is designed to evaluate mastery of ethical principles, professional standards, and clinical
decision-making required for safe, compassionate patient care. The exam covers foundational theory, applied professional
knowledge, regulatory compliance, and ethics standards through multiple-choice and scenario-based questions. Each
question emphasizes real-world application, requiring nurses to analyze complex situations, balance competing ethical
obligations, and make defensible decisions aligned with the ANA Code of Ethics. Success on this assessment demonstrates
readiness to navigate ethical dilemmas in contemporary healthcare settings.*
Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a blood transfusion despite medical advice. The patient is awake, alert, and explains they refuse based on
religious beliefs. What is the nurse's most appropriate action?
,A. Administer the transfusion because it is medically necessary
B. Contact the family to persuade the patient to accept the transfusion
C. Respect the patient's refusal and document the decision
D. Invoke emergency court orders to override the refusal
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Competent adults have the right to refuse treatment, even life-saving treatment, based on autonomy. The nurse must respect this
decision, document it thoroughly, and provide alternative care options.
Question 2
Which ethical principle is demonstrated when a nurse takes extra care to prevent a patient from falling?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Non-maleficence
D. Justice
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Non-maleficence means "do no harm" and requires nurses to avoid actions that cause injury or suffering. Preventing falls directly
aligns with avoiding harm to the patient.
Question 3
A patient asks the nurse not to share their HIV status with anyone. Later, the patient's spouse asks the nurse directly about the status. What should
the nurse do?
,A. Tell the spouse because they are at risk
B. Inform the spouse only if the patient refuses treatment
C. Maintain confidentiality and do not disclose the information
D. Report the situation to the charge nurse and disclose to the spouse
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: HIPAA and ethical standards require maintaining patient confidentiality. The nurse cannot disclose HIV status without patient
consent, regardless of the spouse's inquiry.
Question 4
When a nurse witnesses a patient signing a surgical consent form, what is the nurse primarily verifying?
A. That the patient understands all surgical risks
B. That the signature is authentic and the patient is competent
C. That the surgeon provided adequate information
D. That the procedure is medically appropriate
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: The nurse's role in witnessing consent is to verify the patient's identity, that the signature is authentic, and that the patient appears
competent to sign. The nurse does not verify understanding of risks—that is the provider's responsibility.
Question 5
A nurse believes a prescribed medication dose is potentially dangerous. What is the first action the nurse should take?
A. Administer the medication but document concerns
B. Refuse to administer and contact the prescribing provider
C. Ask another nurse to administer it
D. Administer half the dose
, 🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Nurses have a professional obligation to refuse to administer unsafe medications. The first step is to contact the prescribing
provider to clarify or request a dose change before administering.
Question 6
Which situation best illustrates the ethical principle of justice?
A. A nurse spends extra time with a terminally ill patient
B. A triage nurse prioritizes patients based on severity of condition
C. A nurse respects a patient's right to refuse treatment
D. A nurse prevents a patient from harming themselves
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Justice involves fair distribution of resources and care. Triage based on medical severity ensures equitable allocation of limited
healthcare resources.
Question 7
A patient with advanced dementia is unable to make decisions. Who should the nurse consult for healthcare decisions?
A. The nearest family member available
B. The previously designated healthcare proxy
C. The charge nurse
D. The hospital administrator
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: The healthcare proxy (surrogate decision-maker) is legally designated to make decisions when the patient lacks capacity. This
person should be consulted before other family members.
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Ethical Principles and Theories (autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice)
Professional Standards and Code of Ethics (ANA Code of Ethics)
Patient Rights and Advocacy
Regulatory and Legal Compliance (HIPAA, informed consent, capacity)
Ethical Decision-Making Models and Critical Thinking
Real-World Clinical Ethics Scenarios
Center-Aligned Introduction*
This nursing ethics assessment is designed to evaluate mastery of ethical principles, professional standards, and clinical
decision-making required for safe, compassionate patient care. The exam covers foundational theory, applied professional
knowledge, regulatory compliance, and ethics standards through multiple-choice and scenario-based questions. Each
question emphasizes real-world application, requiring nurses to analyze complex situations, balance competing ethical
obligations, and make defensible decisions aligned with the ANA Code of Ethics. Success on this assessment demonstrates
readiness to navigate ethical dilemmas in contemporary healthcare settings.*
Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a blood transfusion despite medical advice. The patient is awake, alert, and explains they refuse based on
religious beliefs. What is the nurse's most appropriate action?
,A. Administer the transfusion because it is medically necessary
B. Contact the family to persuade the patient to accept the transfusion
C. Respect the patient's refusal and document the decision
D. Invoke emergency court orders to override the refusal
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Competent adults have the right to refuse treatment, even life-saving treatment, based on autonomy. The nurse must respect this
decision, document it thoroughly, and provide alternative care options.
Question 2
Which ethical principle is demonstrated when a nurse takes extra care to prevent a patient from falling?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Non-maleficence
D. Justice
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Non-maleficence means "do no harm" and requires nurses to avoid actions that cause injury or suffering. Preventing falls directly
aligns with avoiding harm to the patient.
Question 3
A patient asks the nurse not to share their HIV status with anyone. Later, the patient's spouse asks the nurse directly about the status. What should
the nurse do?
,A. Tell the spouse because they are at risk
B. Inform the spouse only if the patient refuses treatment
C. Maintain confidentiality and do not disclose the information
D. Report the situation to the charge nurse and disclose to the spouse
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: HIPAA and ethical standards require maintaining patient confidentiality. The nurse cannot disclose HIV status without patient
consent, regardless of the spouse's inquiry.
Question 4
When a nurse witnesses a patient signing a surgical consent form, what is the nurse primarily verifying?
A. That the patient understands all surgical risks
B. That the signature is authentic and the patient is competent
C. That the surgeon provided adequate information
D. That the procedure is medically appropriate
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: The nurse's role in witnessing consent is to verify the patient's identity, that the signature is authentic, and that the patient appears
competent to sign. The nurse does not verify understanding of risks—that is the provider's responsibility.
Question 5
A nurse believes a prescribed medication dose is potentially dangerous. What is the first action the nurse should take?
A. Administer the medication but document concerns
B. Refuse to administer and contact the prescribing provider
C. Ask another nurse to administer it
D. Administer half the dose
, 🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Nurses have a professional obligation to refuse to administer unsafe medications. The first step is to contact the prescribing
provider to clarify or request a dose change before administering.
Question 6
Which situation best illustrates the ethical principle of justice?
A. A nurse spends extra time with a terminally ill patient
B. A triage nurse prioritizes patients based on severity of condition
C. A nurse respects a patient's right to refuse treatment
D. A nurse prevents a patient from harming themselves
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Justice involves fair distribution of resources and care. Triage based on medical severity ensures equitable allocation of limited
healthcare resources.
Question 7
A patient with advanced dementia is unable to make decisions. Who should the nurse consult for healthcare decisions?
A. The nearest family member available
B. The previously designated healthcare proxy
C. The charge nurse
D. The hospital administrator
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: The healthcare proxy (surrogate decision-maker) is legally designated to make decisions when the patient lacks capacity. This
person should be consulted before other family members.
