C HAPTER 22: E THICS AND V ALUES
Fundamentals of Nursing 10th Edition; Potter Perry
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The client has been diagnosed with malignant bone cancer and the
treatment involves chemothera py on an outpatient basis. While treating
the cancer the client unfortunatel y becomes very ill, experiences
significant side effects from the therapy, and has a severe reduction in the
qualit y of life. The specific ethical principle that is in question in this
situation is:
A. Veracit y
B. Fidelit y
C. Justice
D. Nonmaleficence
ANS: D
Nonmaleficence is the avoidance of harm or hurt. Whether the
discomforts of treatment are benefiting the client or are worse than the
disease itself have to be considered. The health care professional tries
to balance the risks and benefits of a plan of care while striving to do
the least harm possible. Veracit y refers to truthfulness. This situation
is not questioning truthfulness.
Fidelit y refers to the agreement to keep promises. This s ituation does
not question fidelit y. Justice refers to fairness. This situation is not a
matter of justice.
, DIF: A dm 314 OBJ: Comprehension TOP: Nursing
Process: Evaluation MSC: NC LEX test plan designation:
Safe, Effective Care Environment
2. Which of the following statements best reflects the nurses ethical concern
for nonmaleficence regarding the clients treatment plan?
A. The radiation therapy has not substantially decreased the clients
tumor related pain.
B. The client expressed the idea that this treatment was definitivel y
going to cure her cancer:
C. The clients famil y requested that she not be informed of the
seriousness of her cardiac condition.
D. The procedure is quite invasive, and there is little chance that it
will improve the clients qualit y of life.
ANS: D
Nonmaleficence is the avoidance of harm or hurt. Whether the
discomforts of treatment are benefiting the client or are worse than the
disease itself have to be considered. The health care professional tries
to balance the risks and benefits of a plan of care while striving to do
the least harm possible. The remaining options are related to veracit y
(truthfulness), fidelity (keeping a promise), and possibl y fairness.
DIF: A dm 314 OBJ: Anal ysis TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: NC LEX test plan d esignation: Safe, Effective Care
Environment
3. Which of the following statements related to confidentialit y made by a
nurse requires immediate follow -up by the nurse manager?
, A. I believe the client is eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.
B. The client with pneumonia has tested positive for TB (tuberculosis).
C. Did you know that the client in Room 45 has a daughter who has
type 1 diabetes mellitus?
D. I arranged for the clients information to be faxed to the assistive
living facilit y she will be transferred to.
ANS: C
This information is private and the nurse is violating the clients right
to confidentialit y because the information has no bearing on the care
needs of the client. The remaining options are not reflective of an
ethical breech because the exchange of that information has a direct
bearing on the clients care.
DIF: C dm 315 OBJ: Anal ysis TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: NC LEX test plan designation: Safe, Effective Care
Environment
4. Which of the following nursing actions best reflects a nurses com mitment
to the ethical principle of fostering autonom y regarding an older client
living in an extended care facilit y?
A. Providing options regarding the furniture arrangement of the clients
room
B. Supporting a clients decision to adopt a DNR (do not resuscitate)
status
C. Allowing sufficient time for the client to independentl y accomplish
morning hygiene
D. Consulting the client regarding personal preferences regarding
treatment options
Fundamentals of Nursing 10th Edition; Potter Perry
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The client has been diagnosed with malignant bone cancer and the
treatment involves chemothera py on an outpatient basis. While treating
the cancer the client unfortunatel y becomes very ill, experiences
significant side effects from the therapy, and has a severe reduction in the
qualit y of life. The specific ethical principle that is in question in this
situation is:
A. Veracit y
B. Fidelit y
C. Justice
D. Nonmaleficence
ANS: D
Nonmaleficence is the avoidance of harm or hurt. Whether the
discomforts of treatment are benefiting the client or are worse than the
disease itself have to be considered. The health care professional tries
to balance the risks and benefits of a plan of care while striving to do
the least harm possible. Veracit y refers to truthfulness. This situation
is not questioning truthfulness.
Fidelit y refers to the agreement to keep promises. This s ituation does
not question fidelit y. Justice refers to fairness. This situation is not a
matter of justice.
, DIF: A dm 314 OBJ: Comprehension TOP: Nursing
Process: Evaluation MSC: NC LEX test plan designation:
Safe, Effective Care Environment
2. Which of the following statements best reflects the nurses ethical concern
for nonmaleficence regarding the clients treatment plan?
A. The radiation therapy has not substantially decreased the clients
tumor related pain.
B. The client expressed the idea that this treatment was definitivel y
going to cure her cancer:
C. The clients famil y requested that she not be informed of the
seriousness of her cardiac condition.
D. The procedure is quite invasive, and there is little chance that it
will improve the clients qualit y of life.
ANS: D
Nonmaleficence is the avoidance of harm or hurt. Whether the
discomforts of treatment are benefiting the client or are worse than the
disease itself have to be considered. The health care professional tries
to balance the risks and benefits of a plan of care while striving to do
the least harm possible. The remaining options are related to veracit y
(truthfulness), fidelity (keeping a promise), and possibl y fairness.
DIF: A dm 314 OBJ: Anal ysis TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: NC LEX test plan d esignation: Safe, Effective Care
Environment
3. Which of the following statements related to confidentialit y made by a
nurse requires immediate follow -up by the nurse manager?
, A. I believe the client is eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.
B. The client with pneumonia has tested positive for TB (tuberculosis).
C. Did you know that the client in Room 45 has a daughter who has
type 1 diabetes mellitus?
D. I arranged for the clients information to be faxed to the assistive
living facilit y she will be transferred to.
ANS: C
This information is private and the nurse is violating the clients right
to confidentialit y because the information has no bearing on the care
needs of the client. The remaining options are not reflective of an
ethical breech because the exchange of that information has a direct
bearing on the clients care.
DIF: C dm 315 OBJ: Anal ysis TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: NC LEX test plan designation: Safe, Effective Care
Environment
4. Which of the following nursing actions best reflects a nurses com mitment
to the ethical principle of fostering autonom y regarding an older client
living in an extended care facilit y?
A. Providing options regarding the furniture arrangement of the clients
room
B. Supporting a clients decision to adopt a DNR (do not resuscitate)
status
C. Allowing sufficient time for the client to independentl y accomplish
morning hygiene
D. Consulting the client regarding personal preferences regarding
treatment options
