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WEST COAST UNIVERSITY NURS 521 – ETHICS
IN HEALTHCARE COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES |100% PASS |GRADED A+ 2026/27
Covers Ethical Theories and Principles, Bioethics, Patient Rights and
Autonomy, Informed Consent, End-of-Life Ethics, Confidentiality,
Professional Boundaries, Ethical Decision-Making Models, Healthcare
Disparities and Justice, Organizational Ethics, and Moral Distress
QUESTION 1
A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a life-saving blood
transfusion due to religious beliefs. Which ethical principle is the nurse
respecting by supporting this decision?
A) Beneficence
B) Autonomy
C) Nonmaleficence
D) Justice
Verified Answer: B
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Rationale: Autonomy respects the patient's right to make decisions about
their own care, even if those decisions conflict with medical advice.
Beneficence is doing good, nonmaleficence is avoiding harm, and justice
is fairness.
QUESTION 2
A nurse is reviewing the Code of Ethics for Nurses. Which provision
states that the nurse's primary commitment is to the patient?
A) Provision 1
B) Provision 2
C) Provision 3
D) Provision 4
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Provision 2 of the ANA Code of Ethics states that the nurse's
primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family,
group, community, or population. This is a cornerstone of nursing ethics.
QUESTION 3
A nurse is presented with an ethical dilemma regarding a patient's
refusal of treatment. Which step is the first in the ethical decision-
making process?
A) Identify the problem
B) Consider the alternatives
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C) Make a decision
D) Evaluate the outcome
Verified Answer: A
Rationale: The first step in ethical decision-making is to identify the
problem or ethical dilemma. This is followed by gathering information,
considering alternatives, making a decision, and evaluating the outcome.
QUESTION 4
A nurse is caring for a patient who is a member of a vulnerable
population. Which action demonstrates advocacy?
A) Ensuring the patient has access to resources and support
B) Making decisions for the patient
C) Ignoring the patient's cultural background
D) Assuming the patient's needs without asking
Verified Answer: A
Rationale: Advocacy involves ensuring patients have access to
resources, information, and support to make informed decisions. It
respects patient autonomy and addresses barriers to care.
QUESTION 5
A nurse is reviewing the principles of informed consent. Which
statement is correct?
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A) Informed consent is not required for emergency procedures
B) The nurse is responsible for obtaining informed consent
C) The patient can withdraw consent at any time
D) Both A and C
Verified Answer: D
Rationale: Informed consent is not required for emergency life-saving
procedures if the patient cannot consent. The healthcare provider is
responsible for obtaining consent, and the patient can withdraw consent
at any time.
QUESTION 6
A nurse is caring for a patient with a terminal illness who requests
physician-assisted suicide. Which ethical principle is most directly
involved?
A) Autonomy
B) Beneficence
C) Nonmaleficence
D) Justice
Verified Answer: A
Rationale: Autonomy is the principle most directly involved in end-of-
life decisions, including physician-assisted suicide. It respects the
patient's right to make decisions about their own life and death.
WEST COAST UNIVERSITY NURS 521 – ETHICS
IN HEALTHCARE COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES |100% PASS |GRADED A+ 2026/27
Covers Ethical Theories and Principles, Bioethics, Patient Rights and
Autonomy, Informed Consent, End-of-Life Ethics, Confidentiality,
Professional Boundaries, Ethical Decision-Making Models, Healthcare
Disparities and Justice, Organizational Ethics, and Moral Distress
QUESTION 1
A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a life-saving blood
transfusion due to religious beliefs. Which ethical principle is the nurse
respecting by supporting this decision?
A) Beneficence
B) Autonomy
C) Nonmaleficence
D) Justice
Verified Answer: B
,2 | Page
Rationale: Autonomy respects the patient's right to make decisions about
their own care, even if those decisions conflict with medical advice.
Beneficence is doing good, nonmaleficence is avoiding harm, and justice
is fairness.
QUESTION 2
A nurse is reviewing the Code of Ethics for Nurses. Which provision
states that the nurse's primary commitment is to the patient?
A) Provision 1
B) Provision 2
C) Provision 3
D) Provision 4
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Provision 2 of the ANA Code of Ethics states that the nurse's
primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family,
group, community, or population. This is a cornerstone of nursing ethics.
QUESTION 3
A nurse is presented with an ethical dilemma regarding a patient's
refusal of treatment. Which step is the first in the ethical decision-
making process?
A) Identify the problem
B) Consider the alternatives
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C) Make a decision
D) Evaluate the outcome
Verified Answer: A
Rationale: The first step in ethical decision-making is to identify the
problem or ethical dilemma. This is followed by gathering information,
considering alternatives, making a decision, and evaluating the outcome.
QUESTION 4
A nurse is caring for a patient who is a member of a vulnerable
population. Which action demonstrates advocacy?
A) Ensuring the patient has access to resources and support
B) Making decisions for the patient
C) Ignoring the patient's cultural background
D) Assuming the patient's needs without asking
Verified Answer: A
Rationale: Advocacy involves ensuring patients have access to
resources, information, and support to make informed decisions. It
respects patient autonomy and addresses barriers to care.
QUESTION 5
A nurse is reviewing the principles of informed consent. Which
statement is correct?
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A) Informed consent is not required for emergency procedures
B) The nurse is responsible for obtaining informed consent
C) The patient can withdraw consent at any time
D) Both A and C
Verified Answer: D
Rationale: Informed consent is not required for emergency life-saving
procedures if the patient cannot consent. The healthcare provider is
responsible for obtaining consent, and the patient can withdraw consent
at any time.
QUESTION 6
A nurse is caring for a patient with a terminal illness who requests
physician-assisted suicide. Which ethical principle is most directly
involved?
A) Autonomy
B) Beneficence
C) Nonmaleficence
D) Justice
Verified Answer: A
Rationale: Autonomy is the principle most directly involved in end-of-
life decisions, including physician-assisted suicide. It respects the
patient's right to make decisions about their own life and death.
