BSN 111 Final Exam Fundamentals of
Nursing I — Comprehensive Assessment
Latest 2026/2027 Update
Question 1
Four patients in labor all request epidural analgesia to manage their pain at the
same time. Which ethical principle is compromised when only one nurse
anesthetist is on call?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Fidelity
D. Justice
Rationale: Justice refers to fairness and is used frequently in discussions regarding
access to healthcare resources. In this scenario, the just distribution of resources—
pain management—cannot be equitably apportioned among all four patients.
Beneficence involves promoting good, nonmaleficence involves avoiding harm,
and fidelity involves keeping promises. The scarcity of the provider creates an
unfair situation where some patients receive pain relief while others do not.
Question 2
The patient tells the nurse that she is afraid to speak up regarding her desire to end
care for fear of upsetting her husband and children. Which principle in the nursing
code of ethics ensures that the nurse will promote the patient's cause?
A. Responsibility
B. Advocacy
C. Confidentiality
D. Accountability
Rationale: Nurses advocate for patients when they support the patient's cause. A
nurse's ability to adequately advocate for a patient is based on the unique
relationship that develops and the opportunity to better understand the patient's
point of view. Advocacy involves speaking on behalf of those who cannot speak
,for themselves and acting on behalf of another person. In this situation, the nurse
must advocate for the patient's right to make her own healthcare decisions.
Question 3
The patient's son requests to view the documentation in his mother's medical
record. What is the nurse's best response to this request?
A. "I'll be happy to get that for you."
B. "You will have to talk to the physician about that."
C. "You will need your mother's permission."
D. "You are not allowed to see it."
Rationale: The nurse understands that sharing health information is governed by
HIPAA legislation, which defines rights and privileges of patients for protection of
privacy. Private health information cannot be shared without the patient's specific
permission. The son does not have an automatic right to view his mother's medical
records unless she has provided explicit consent.
Question 4
When people work together to solve ethical dilemmas, individuals must examine
their own values. This step is crucial to ensure that:
A. The group identifies the one correct solution.
B. Fact is separated from opinion.
C. Judgmental attitudes are not provoked.
D. Different perspectives are respected
Rationale: Values are personal beliefs that influence opinions. To be able to
negotiate differences in opinions, the nurse must first be clear about personal
values, which will influence behaviors, decisions, and actions. Examining personal
values allows individuals to understand their own biases and respect the different
perspectives of others involved in the ethical dilemma.
Question 5
,Ethical dilemmas are common occurrences when caring for patients. The nurse
understands that dilemmas are a result of:
A. Lack of professional knowledge
B. Presence of conflicting values
C. Inadequate staffing
D. Poor communication
Rationale: Ethical dilemmas occur when there are conflicting values, making it
difficult to determine the right course of action. These situations arise when
different ethical principles or values come into conflict, and there is no clear
"right" answer. They are not simply a result of lack of knowledge, staffing issues,
or poor communication, though these factors may complicate the situation.
Question 6
Which ethical principle refers to the nurse's duty to promote good and act in the
patient's best interest?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Justice
D. Nonmaleficence
Rationale: Beneficence relates to ensuring that the patient's best interest is
considered, regardless of the nurse's personal opinion. It is the principle of doing
good and promoting the welfare of others. Autonomy refers to self-determination,
justice refers to fairness, and nonmaleficence refers to the avoidance or
minimization of harm.
Question 7
A nurse administers a medication to a patient despite knowing that the patient has a
documented allergy to that medication. This action violates which ethical
principle?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
, C. Autonomy
D. Justice
Rationale: Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle that involves the avoidance or
minimization of harm. By administering a medication to which the patient has a
documented allergy, the nurse is failing to avoid harm and is violating the principle
of nonmaleficence. The nurse has a duty to "do no harm" and must always check
for allergies before administering medications.
Question 8
Providing adequate information to allow patients to make their own decisions
based on their beliefs and values, even if they aren't the ones the nurse would
choose, describes which ethical principle?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Autonomy
D. Justice
Rationale: Autonomy involves providing adequate information to allow patients to
make their own decisions based on their beliefs and values. It is the principle of
self-determination and respects the patient's right to make their own healthcare
decisions. The nurse's role is to provide information and support, not to impose
personal values on the patient.
Question 9
A nursing code of ethics provides guidance for:
A. Financial management in healthcare
B. Relationships, behavior, and decision making
C. Medical treatment protocols
D. Hospital administration policies
Rationale: A nursing code of ethics provides guidance for relationships, behavior,
and decision making in nursing practice. It outlines nurses' professional values and
ethical commitments to their patients and the communities they serve. It does not
Nursing I — Comprehensive Assessment
Latest 2026/2027 Update
Question 1
Four patients in labor all request epidural analgesia to manage their pain at the
same time. Which ethical principle is compromised when only one nurse
anesthetist is on call?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Fidelity
D. Justice
Rationale: Justice refers to fairness and is used frequently in discussions regarding
access to healthcare resources. In this scenario, the just distribution of resources—
pain management—cannot be equitably apportioned among all four patients.
Beneficence involves promoting good, nonmaleficence involves avoiding harm,
and fidelity involves keeping promises. The scarcity of the provider creates an
unfair situation where some patients receive pain relief while others do not.
Question 2
The patient tells the nurse that she is afraid to speak up regarding her desire to end
care for fear of upsetting her husband and children. Which principle in the nursing
code of ethics ensures that the nurse will promote the patient's cause?
A. Responsibility
B. Advocacy
C. Confidentiality
D. Accountability
Rationale: Nurses advocate for patients when they support the patient's cause. A
nurse's ability to adequately advocate for a patient is based on the unique
relationship that develops and the opportunity to better understand the patient's
point of view. Advocacy involves speaking on behalf of those who cannot speak
,for themselves and acting on behalf of another person. In this situation, the nurse
must advocate for the patient's right to make her own healthcare decisions.
Question 3
The patient's son requests to view the documentation in his mother's medical
record. What is the nurse's best response to this request?
A. "I'll be happy to get that for you."
B. "You will have to talk to the physician about that."
C. "You will need your mother's permission."
D. "You are not allowed to see it."
Rationale: The nurse understands that sharing health information is governed by
HIPAA legislation, which defines rights and privileges of patients for protection of
privacy. Private health information cannot be shared without the patient's specific
permission. The son does not have an automatic right to view his mother's medical
records unless she has provided explicit consent.
Question 4
When people work together to solve ethical dilemmas, individuals must examine
their own values. This step is crucial to ensure that:
A. The group identifies the one correct solution.
B. Fact is separated from opinion.
C. Judgmental attitudes are not provoked.
D. Different perspectives are respected
Rationale: Values are personal beliefs that influence opinions. To be able to
negotiate differences in opinions, the nurse must first be clear about personal
values, which will influence behaviors, decisions, and actions. Examining personal
values allows individuals to understand their own biases and respect the different
perspectives of others involved in the ethical dilemma.
Question 5
,Ethical dilemmas are common occurrences when caring for patients. The nurse
understands that dilemmas are a result of:
A. Lack of professional knowledge
B. Presence of conflicting values
C. Inadequate staffing
D. Poor communication
Rationale: Ethical dilemmas occur when there are conflicting values, making it
difficult to determine the right course of action. These situations arise when
different ethical principles or values come into conflict, and there is no clear
"right" answer. They are not simply a result of lack of knowledge, staffing issues,
or poor communication, though these factors may complicate the situation.
Question 6
Which ethical principle refers to the nurse's duty to promote good and act in the
patient's best interest?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Justice
D. Nonmaleficence
Rationale: Beneficence relates to ensuring that the patient's best interest is
considered, regardless of the nurse's personal opinion. It is the principle of doing
good and promoting the welfare of others. Autonomy refers to self-determination,
justice refers to fairness, and nonmaleficence refers to the avoidance or
minimization of harm.
Question 7
A nurse administers a medication to a patient despite knowing that the patient has a
documented allergy to that medication. This action violates which ethical
principle?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
, C. Autonomy
D. Justice
Rationale: Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle that involves the avoidance or
minimization of harm. By administering a medication to which the patient has a
documented allergy, the nurse is failing to avoid harm and is violating the principle
of nonmaleficence. The nurse has a duty to "do no harm" and must always check
for allergies before administering medications.
Question 8
Providing adequate information to allow patients to make their own decisions
based on their beliefs and values, even if they aren't the ones the nurse would
choose, describes which ethical principle?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Autonomy
D. Justice
Rationale: Autonomy involves providing adequate information to allow patients to
make their own decisions based on their beliefs and values. It is the principle of
self-determination and respects the patient's right to make their own healthcare
decisions. The nurse's role is to provide information and support, not to impose
personal values on the patient.
Question 9
A nursing code of ethics provides guidance for:
A. Financial management in healthcare
B. Relationships, behavior, and decision making
C. Medical treatment protocols
D. Hospital administration policies
Rationale: A nursing code of ethics provides guidance for relationships, behavior,
and decision making in nursing practice. It outlines nurses' professional values and
ethical commitments to their patients and the communities they serve. It does not
