NUR 242 Exam 1 – Medical-Surgical Nursing Actual
Practice Questions & Answers Complete Study Guide
– Medical-Surgical Nursing Concepts | Galen College |
Latest
This comprehensive document contains questions and verified answers for the NUR 242
Exam 1 (Units 1–3), covering Health & Safety, Pain Management, Perioperative Care, IV
Therapy, Infection Control, Hematology, and Ethics. Each answer includes the correct
option in bold with a detailed rationale.
SECTION 1: ETHICS, LEGAL, AND PROFESSIONAL NURSING (Questions 1–15)
1. A nurse witnesses another nurse providing care without proper hand hygiene and
reports this to the charge nurse. The charge nurse is friends with the offending nurse
and refuses to take action. This is an example of:
A) Moral outrage
B) Moral distress
C) Ethical conflict
D) Beneficence
Answer: B
Moral distress occurs when a nurse knows the right action but is constrained from taking it
due to barriers such as institutional policies, power structures, or lack of support. The nurse
reported unsafe practice, but the charge nurse failed to act .
,2. A nurse manager who makes decisions based on what will benefit the majority of
the subordinates is using which ethical framework for decision making?
A) Deontology
B) Utilitarianism
C) Paternalism
D) Virtue ethics
Answer: B
Utilitarianism is a teleological theory that focuses on the greatest good for the greatest
number of people. Decisions are made based on outcomes and consequences that benefit
the majority .
3. Nancy is a loyal and trustworthy nurse who performs the duties expected of her.
Which principle of ethical reasoning is Nancy displaying?
A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Veracity
D) Fidelity
Answer: D
Fidelity refers to the obligation to be faithful to commitments and promises. It involves
keeping promises, doing what is expected, and maintaining loyalty to patients and the
profession .
4. The nurse in a unit is caring for several clients. To distribute nursing care, the
nurse used the principle of triage due to limited resources. The nurse is promoting
which ethical principle?
,A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Justice
D) Autonomy
Answer: C
Justice is the ethical principle concerned with treating people fairly and equitably. Triage
prioritizes care based on urgency and need, ensuring fair distribution of limited healthcare
resources .
5. A nurse avoids deliberate harm and risk of harm during nursing actions. The nurse
is promoting which ethical principle?
A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Veracity
D) Fidelity
Answer: B
Nonmaleficence is the ethical obligation to avoid doing harm. It is often stated as "first, do
no harm" (primum non nocere) and requires nurses to avoid actions that could cause injury
or suffering .
6. Which is NOT an element of ethical decision making?
A) Beneficence
B) Utility
C) Paternalism
D) Pragmatism
Answer: D
, Elements of ethical decision making include beneficence, utility, paternalism, veracity,
confidentiality, autonomy, nonmaleficence, social justice, and fidelity. Pragmatism is not an
element of ethical reasoning; it refers to a practical approach to problem-solving .
7. What does ANA Provision 1 state?
A) The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient
B) The nurse practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth,
and unique attributes of every person
C) The nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of the
patient
D) The nurse owes the same duties to self as to others
Answer: B
ANA Code of Ethics Provision 1 states that the nurse practices with compassion and
respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person. This includes
respect for patient autonomy and the right to make decisions about care .
8. What does ANA Provision 2 state?
A) The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family,
group, community, or population
B) The nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects patient rights
C) The nurse has authority, accountability, and responsibility for nursing practice
D) The nurse collaborates with other health professionals
Answer: A
ANA Code of Ethics Provision 2 emphasizes that the nurse's primary commitment is to the
patient, recognizing that the patient may be an individual, family, group, community, or
population .
Practice Questions & Answers Complete Study Guide
– Medical-Surgical Nursing Concepts | Galen College |
Latest
This comprehensive document contains questions and verified answers for the NUR 242
Exam 1 (Units 1–3), covering Health & Safety, Pain Management, Perioperative Care, IV
Therapy, Infection Control, Hematology, and Ethics. Each answer includes the correct
option in bold with a detailed rationale.
SECTION 1: ETHICS, LEGAL, AND PROFESSIONAL NURSING (Questions 1–15)
1. A nurse witnesses another nurse providing care without proper hand hygiene and
reports this to the charge nurse. The charge nurse is friends with the offending nurse
and refuses to take action. This is an example of:
A) Moral outrage
B) Moral distress
C) Ethical conflict
D) Beneficence
Answer: B
Moral distress occurs when a nurse knows the right action but is constrained from taking it
due to barriers such as institutional policies, power structures, or lack of support. The nurse
reported unsafe practice, but the charge nurse failed to act .
,2. A nurse manager who makes decisions based on what will benefit the majority of
the subordinates is using which ethical framework for decision making?
A) Deontology
B) Utilitarianism
C) Paternalism
D) Virtue ethics
Answer: B
Utilitarianism is a teleological theory that focuses on the greatest good for the greatest
number of people. Decisions are made based on outcomes and consequences that benefit
the majority .
3. Nancy is a loyal and trustworthy nurse who performs the duties expected of her.
Which principle of ethical reasoning is Nancy displaying?
A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Veracity
D) Fidelity
Answer: D
Fidelity refers to the obligation to be faithful to commitments and promises. It involves
keeping promises, doing what is expected, and maintaining loyalty to patients and the
profession .
4. The nurse in a unit is caring for several clients. To distribute nursing care, the
nurse used the principle of triage due to limited resources. The nurse is promoting
which ethical principle?
,A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Justice
D) Autonomy
Answer: C
Justice is the ethical principle concerned with treating people fairly and equitably. Triage
prioritizes care based on urgency and need, ensuring fair distribution of limited healthcare
resources .
5. A nurse avoids deliberate harm and risk of harm during nursing actions. The nurse
is promoting which ethical principle?
A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Veracity
D) Fidelity
Answer: B
Nonmaleficence is the ethical obligation to avoid doing harm. It is often stated as "first, do
no harm" (primum non nocere) and requires nurses to avoid actions that could cause injury
or suffering .
6. Which is NOT an element of ethical decision making?
A) Beneficence
B) Utility
C) Paternalism
D) Pragmatism
Answer: D
, Elements of ethical decision making include beneficence, utility, paternalism, veracity,
confidentiality, autonomy, nonmaleficence, social justice, and fidelity. Pragmatism is not an
element of ethical reasoning; it refers to a practical approach to problem-solving .
7. What does ANA Provision 1 state?
A) The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient
B) The nurse practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth,
and unique attributes of every person
C) The nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of the
patient
D) The nurse owes the same duties to self as to others
Answer: B
ANA Code of Ethics Provision 1 states that the nurse practices with compassion and
respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person. This includes
respect for patient autonomy and the right to make decisions about care .
8. What does ANA Provision 2 state?
A) The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family,
group, community, or population
B) The nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects patient rights
C) The nurse has authority, accountability, and responsibility for nursing practice
D) The nurse collaborates with other health professionals
Answer: A
ANA Code of Ethics Provision 2 emphasizes that the nurse's primary commitment is to the
patient, recognizing that the patient may be an individual, family, group, community, or
population .
