, Test Bank Ethical and Legal Issues in Canadian Nursing 4th
Edition Keatings Chapter 1 - 12
1. Which statement best describes the primary purpose of
professional nursing regulation in Canada?
A. To increase nurses' salaries
B. To protect the public by ensuring competent nursing practice
C. To promote hospital interests
D. To reduce healthcare costs
Answer: B. To protect the public by ensuring competent nursing
practice
Rationale: The fundamental purpose of nursing regulation is public
protection. Provincial and territorial nursing regulatory bodies
establish standards for education, registration, competence, and
professional conduct to ensure nurses provide safe, ethical, and
competent care. Protecting the public—not advancing the
profession's financial interests—is the regulator's primary
mandate.
2. Which ethical principle requires nurses to respect a patient's right
to make personal healthcare decisions?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
,D. Fidelity
Answer: C. Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy recognizes every competent individual's right to
make informed decisions regarding healthcare. Nurses support
autonomy by providing complete information, respecting informed
consent, and honoring capable patients' treatment decisions, even
when they differ from healthcare providers' recommendations.
3. Which document primarily outlines the ethical expectations for
Canadian nurses?
A. Canada Health Act
B. Criminal Code of Canada
C. CNA Code of Ethics
D. Occupational Health and Safety Act
Answer: C. CNA Code of Ethics
Rationale: The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Code of Ethics
provides the ethical foundation for nursing practice across
Canada. It identifies professional values and responsibilities that
guide nurses when making ethical decisions and delivering
compassionate, competent care.
4. Which concept best describes doing good and promoting the
patient's well-being?
A. Justice
, B. Beneficence
C. Veracity
D. Confidentiality
Answer: B. Beneficence
Rationale: Beneficence requires nurses to actively promote health,
prevent harm, relieve suffering, and improve patient outcomes.
Nurses demonstrate beneficence by providing evidence-informed
interventions that maximize benefits while minimizing risks.
5. Which legal concept refers to obtaining a patient's voluntary
agreement before treatment?
A. Capacity
B. Informed consent
C. Negligence
D. Duty of care
Answer: B. Informed consent
Rationale: Informed consent requires healthcare providers to disclose
relevant information regarding the proposed treatment, including
risks, benefits, alternatives, and consequences of refusal. Consent
must be voluntary and provided by an individual with decision-
making capacity.
6. Which element must be present to establish negligence?
Edition Keatings Chapter 1 - 12
1. Which statement best describes the primary purpose of
professional nursing regulation in Canada?
A. To increase nurses' salaries
B. To protect the public by ensuring competent nursing practice
C. To promote hospital interests
D. To reduce healthcare costs
Answer: B. To protect the public by ensuring competent nursing
practice
Rationale: The fundamental purpose of nursing regulation is public
protection. Provincial and territorial nursing regulatory bodies
establish standards for education, registration, competence, and
professional conduct to ensure nurses provide safe, ethical, and
competent care. Protecting the public—not advancing the
profession's financial interests—is the regulator's primary
mandate.
2. Which ethical principle requires nurses to respect a patient's right
to make personal healthcare decisions?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
,D. Fidelity
Answer: C. Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy recognizes every competent individual's right to
make informed decisions regarding healthcare. Nurses support
autonomy by providing complete information, respecting informed
consent, and honoring capable patients' treatment decisions, even
when they differ from healthcare providers' recommendations.
3. Which document primarily outlines the ethical expectations for
Canadian nurses?
A. Canada Health Act
B. Criminal Code of Canada
C. CNA Code of Ethics
D. Occupational Health and Safety Act
Answer: C. CNA Code of Ethics
Rationale: The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Code of Ethics
provides the ethical foundation for nursing practice across
Canada. It identifies professional values and responsibilities that
guide nurses when making ethical decisions and delivering
compassionate, competent care.
4. Which concept best describes doing good and promoting the
patient's well-being?
A. Justice
, B. Beneficence
C. Veracity
D. Confidentiality
Answer: B. Beneficence
Rationale: Beneficence requires nurses to actively promote health,
prevent harm, relieve suffering, and improve patient outcomes.
Nurses demonstrate beneficence by providing evidence-informed
interventions that maximize benefits while minimizing risks.
5. Which legal concept refers to obtaining a patient's voluntary
agreement before treatment?
A. Capacity
B. Informed consent
C. Negligence
D. Duty of care
Answer: B. Informed consent
Rationale: Informed consent requires healthcare providers to disclose
relevant information regarding the proposed treatment, including
risks, benefits, alternatives, and consequences of refusal. Consent
must be voluntary and provided by an individual with decision-
making capacity.
6. Which element must be present to establish negligence?
