,NSG310/NSG 310 Exam 2 | Introduction to Professional
Nursing | Grand Canyon University | Q & A | 2026/2027
Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following best describes the ethical principle of autonomy in nursing practice?
A) The duty to promote good and prevent harm to patients
B) The obligation to tell the truth and not deceive others
C) The right of individuals to make informed decisions about their own healthcare
D) The duty to distribute healthcare resources fairly among all patients
Correct Answer: The right of individuals to make informed decisions about their own healthcare
Rationale: Autonomy is the ethical principle that respects a patient's right to make their own decisions
about their healthcare. This includes the right to accept or refuse treatment based on personal values
and beliefs. The nurse's role is to support and advocate for the patient's self-determination.
2. What is the obligation of nurses to tell the truth and not deceive others called?
A) Fidelity
B) Veracity
C) Beneficence
D) Justice
Correct Answer: Veracity
Rationale: Veracity is the ethical principle requiring nurses to tell the truth and not lie or deceive others.
It is foundational to building trust in the nurse-patient relationship and ensuring informed consent.
Fidelity refers to keeping promises, beneficence is doing good, and justice is fairness.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a blood transfusion due to religious beliefs. The nurse
respects the patient's decision and documents the refusal. Which ethical principle is being
demonstrated?
,A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Autonomy
D) Justice
Correct Answer: Autonomy
Rationale: Respecting a patient's refusal of treatment, even when it goes against medical advice, is a
clear example of supporting patient autonomy. The nurse's role is to advocate for the patient's right to
self-determination. Beneficence involves doing good, nonmaleficence is avoiding harm, and justice is
fairness.
4. According to the NSG 310 Exam 2 blueprint, what percentage of the exam covers Topic 4: Legal and
Ethical Issues, Nursing Accountability, and Professionalism?
A) 12%
B) 16%
C) 20%
D) 24%
Correct Answer: 16%
Rationale: The NSG 310 Exam 2 blueprint specifies that Topic 4 (Legal and Ethical Issues, Nursing
Accountability, and Professionalism) comprises 16% of the exam. The remaining exam content covers
other topics including communication, management of care, and client rights.
5. A nurse administers a medication to a patient, knowing it may cause temporary discomfort but will
ultimately save the patient's life. Which ethical principle is the nurse primarily upholding?
A) Autonomy
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Beneficence
D) Justice
, Correct Answer: Beneficence
Rationale: Beneficence is the duty to promote good and prevent harm. By administering a life-saving
medication despite temporary discomfort, the nurse is acting in the patient's best interest to promote
their well-being. Nonmaleficence ("do no harm") is also considered, but beneficence is the primary
guiding principle here.
6. Which ethical principle refers to the nurse's duty to do no harm?
A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Veracity
D) Fidelity
Correct Answer: Nonmaleficence
Rationale: Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle that requires nurses to cause no harm to others. It is
often summarized as "first, do no harm." Beneficence is the duty to do good, veracity is truthfulness,
and fidelity is keeping promises.
7. A nurse fails to report a medication error that caused no harm to the patient. This action violates
which ethical principle?
A) Veracity
B) Fidelity
C) Autonomy
D) Justice
Correct Answer: Veracity
Rationale: Veracity is the obligation to tell the truth. Failing to report a medication error, even if no harm
occurred, is a breach of truthfulness and undermines professional accountability. Transparency in error
reporting is essential for patient safety and quality improvement.
Nursing | Grand Canyon University | Q & A | 2026/2027
Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following best describes the ethical principle of autonomy in nursing practice?
A) The duty to promote good and prevent harm to patients
B) The obligation to tell the truth and not deceive others
C) The right of individuals to make informed decisions about their own healthcare
D) The duty to distribute healthcare resources fairly among all patients
Correct Answer: The right of individuals to make informed decisions about their own healthcare
Rationale: Autonomy is the ethical principle that respects a patient's right to make their own decisions
about their healthcare. This includes the right to accept or refuse treatment based on personal values
and beliefs. The nurse's role is to support and advocate for the patient's self-determination.
2. What is the obligation of nurses to tell the truth and not deceive others called?
A) Fidelity
B) Veracity
C) Beneficence
D) Justice
Correct Answer: Veracity
Rationale: Veracity is the ethical principle requiring nurses to tell the truth and not lie or deceive others.
It is foundational to building trust in the nurse-patient relationship and ensuring informed consent.
Fidelity refers to keeping promises, beneficence is doing good, and justice is fairness.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a blood transfusion due to religious beliefs. The nurse
respects the patient's decision and documents the refusal. Which ethical principle is being
demonstrated?
,A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Autonomy
D) Justice
Correct Answer: Autonomy
Rationale: Respecting a patient's refusal of treatment, even when it goes against medical advice, is a
clear example of supporting patient autonomy. The nurse's role is to advocate for the patient's right to
self-determination. Beneficence involves doing good, nonmaleficence is avoiding harm, and justice is
fairness.
4. According to the NSG 310 Exam 2 blueprint, what percentage of the exam covers Topic 4: Legal and
Ethical Issues, Nursing Accountability, and Professionalism?
A) 12%
B) 16%
C) 20%
D) 24%
Correct Answer: 16%
Rationale: The NSG 310 Exam 2 blueprint specifies that Topic 4 (Legal and Ethical Issues, Nursing
Accountability, and Professionalism) comprises 16% of the exam. The remaining exam content covers
other topics including communication, management of care, and client rights.
5. A nurse administers a medication to a patient, knowing it may cause temporary discomfort but will
ultimately save the patient's life. Which ethical principle is the nurse primarily upholding?
A) Autonomy
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Beneficence
D) Justice
, Correct Answer: Beneficence
Rationale: Beneficence is the duty to promote good and prevent harm. By administering a life-saving
medication despite temporary discomfort, the nurse is acting in the patient's best interest to promote
their well-being. Nonmaleficence ("do no harm") is also considered, but beneficence is the primary
guiding principle here.
6. Which ethical principle refers to the nurse's duty to do no harm?
A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Veracity
D) Fidelity
Correct Answer: Nonmaleficence
Rationale: Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle that requires nurses to cause no harm to others. It is
often summarized as "first, do no harm." Beneficence is the duty to do good, veracity is truthfulness,
and fidelity is keeping promises.
7. A nurse fails to report a medication error that caused no harm to the patient. This action violates
which ethical principle?
A) Veracity
B) Fidelity
C) Autonomy
D) Justice
Correct Answer: Veracity
Rationale: Veracity is the obligation to tell the truth. Failing to report a medication error, even if no harm
occurred, is a breach of truthfulness and undermines professional accountability. Transparency in error
reporting is essential for patient safety and quality improvement.
