Canadian Advanced Practice Nursing
Ethics Exam Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
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1. A nurse practitioner employed in a remote northern community
health clinic is approached by a pharmaceutical representative who
offers an all-expenses-paid educational conference in exchange for
increased prescribing consideration of a newly marketed
anticoagulant medication. The nurse practitioner recognizes that the
medication may have limited evidence in the elderly Indigenous
population predominantly served by the clinic. According to Canadian
advanced practice nursing ethical principles and professional
accountability standards, which action is the MOST ethically
appropriate?
,A. Accept the conference invitation because continuing education ultimately
benefits patients
B. Prescribe the medication selectively to evaluate its effectiveness in the
local population
C. Decline the offer and rely on unbiased evidence-based resources before
considering changes in prescribing practice
D. Accept the conference invitation if the employer approves the
arrangement
C. Decline the offer and rely on unbiased evidence-based resources before
considering changes in prescribing practice
Rationale: Advanced practice nurses in Canada are ethically obligated to
avoid conflicts of interest and ensure that prescribing decisions are
grounded in objective, evidence-based practice rather than industry
influence. Declining incentives that could compromise professional
judgment protects patient trust, promotes integrity, and aligns with ethical
principles of beneficence and accountability.
2. An advanced practice nurse working in an oncology clinic learns that a
competent adult patient with terminal cancer does not want her
diagnosis disclosed to her adult children. During a family meeting, the
children directly ask the nurse for details regarding prognosis and
treatment outcomes. Which ethical principle MOST strongly supports
the nurse’s refusal to disclose the information without consent?
,A. Justice
B. Fidelity
C. Veracity
D. Autonomy
D. Autonomy
Rationale: Respect for autonomy requires healthcare professionals to
honor a competent patient’s right to control personal health information
and make decisions regarding disclosure. Even when family members are
concerned, the nurse must preserve confidentiality unless the patient
provides consent or disclosure is legally authorized.
3. A clinical nurse specialist observes repeated instances in which staffing
shortages are contributing to delayed medication administration and
increased patient falls on an acute care unit. Hospital leadership has
acknowledged the problem but has not implemented changes. Which
ethical responsibility should guide the nurse specialist’s next action?
A. Avoid discussing the issue publicly to protect organizational reputation
B. Advocate for systemic changes that improve patient safety and quality of
care
C. Delegate incident reporting responsibilities to bedside nurses only
D. Accept the staffing limitations because budgetary decisions are
administrative matters
, B. Advocate for systemic changes that improve patient safety and quality
of care
Rationale: Advanced practice nurses have an ethical duty to advocate for
safe systems of care and address organizational conditions that jeopardize
patient wellbeing. Ethical nursing practice extends beyond direct patient
care to include leadership, quality improvement, and advocacy for
equitable healthcare environments.
4. A nurse practitioner providing primary care to adolescents suspects
that a 15-year-old patient is engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors but
requests that no information be shared with her parents. The patient
demonstrates mature understanding of the implications of her
healthcare decisions. Which action is MOST ethically appropriate?
A. Inform the parents because the patient is a minor
B. Respect the patient’s confidentiality while continuing supportive
education and assessment
C. Refuse treatment until parental consent is obtained
D. Transfer the patient to another provider to avoid legal complications
B. Respect the patient’s confidentiality while continuing supportive
education and assessment
Rationale: Canadian ethical and legal frameworks recognize the mature
minor doctrine, which allows capable adolescents to consent to healthcare
Ethics Exam Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
1. A nurse practitioner employed in a remote northern community
health clinic is approached by a pharmaceutical representative who
offers an all-expenses-paid educational conference in exchange for
increased prescribing consideration of a newly marketed
anticoagulant medication. The nurse practitioner recognizes that the
medication may have limited evidence in the elderly Indigenous
population predominantly served by the clinic. According to Canadian
advanced practice nursing ethical principles and professional
accountability standards, which action is the MOST ethically
appropriate?
,A. Accept the conference invitation because continuing education ultimately
benefits patients
B. Prescribe the medication selectively to evaluate its effectiveness in the
local population
C. Decline the offer and rely on unbiased evidence-based resources before
considering changes in prescribing practice
D. Accept the conference invitation if the employer approves the
arrangement
C. Decline the offer and rely on unbiased evidence-based resources before
considering changes in prescribing practice
Rationale: Advanced practice nurses in Canada are ethically obligated to
avoid conflicts of interest and ensure that prescribing decisions are
grounded in objective, evidence-based practice rather than industry
influence. Declining incentives that could compromise professional
judgment protects patient trust, promotes integrity, and aligns with ethical
principles of beneficence and accountability.
2. An advanced practice nurse working in an oncology clinic learns that a
competent adult patient with terminal cancer does not want her
diagnosis disclosed to her adult children. During a family meeting, the
children directly ask the nurse for details regarding prognosis and
treatment outcomes. Which ethical principle MOST strongly supports
the nurse’s refusal to disclose the information without consent?
,A. Justice
B. Fidelity
C. Veracity
D. Autonomy
D. Autonomy
Rationale: Respect for autonomy requires healthcare professionals to
honor a competent patient’s right to control personal health information
and make decisions regarding disclosure. Even when family members are
concerned, the nurse must preserve confidentiality unless the patient
provides consent or disclosure is legally authorized.
3. A clinical nurse specialist observes repeated instances in which staffing
shortages are contributing to delayed medication administration and
increased patient falls on an acute care unit. Hospital leadership has
acknowledged the problem but has not implemented changes. Which
ethical responsibility should guide the nurse specialist’s next action?
A. Avoid discussing the issue publicly to protect organizational reputation
B. Advocate for systemic changes that improve patient safety and quality of
care
C. Delegate incident reporting responsibilities to bedside nurses only
D. Accept the staffing limitations because budgetary decisions are
administrative matters
, B. Advocate for systemic changes that improve patient safety and quality
of care
Rationale: Advanced practice nurses have an ethical duty to advocate for
safe systems of care and address organizational conditions that jeopardize
patient wellbeing. Ethical nursing practice extends beyond direct patient
care to include leadership, quality improvement, and advocacy for
equitable healthcare environments.
4. A nurse practitioner providing primary care to adolescents suspects
that a 15-year-old patient is engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors but
requests that no information be shared with her parents. The patient
demonstrates mature understanding of the implications of her
healthcare decisions. Which action is MOST ethically appropriate?
A. Inform the parents because the patient is a minor
B. Respect the patient’s confidentiality while continuing supportive
education and assessment
C. Refuse treatment until parental consent is obtained
D. Transfer the patient to another provider to avoid legal complications
B. Respect the patient’s confidentiality while continuing supportive
education and assessment
Rationale: Canadian ethical and legal frameworks recognize the mature
minor doctrine, which allows capable adolescents to consent to healthcare
