ZERWEKH CHAPTER 19 ETHICS 2026/2027 | NURSING ETHICS STUDY GUIDE,
PRACTICE QUESTIONS, ANSWERS & EXAM REVIEW
A nurse is educating an adult patient on patient rights, according to the American Hospital Association.
The teaching has been effective when the adult states that the patient's rights include:
a. "choice of diet to be eaten during hospitalization."
b. "considerate and respectful care from all care providers."
c. "medical care regardless of ability to pay."
d. "information from nurses about diagnosis and prognosis." - ANS ✔✔ANS: B
When you are a patient in the hospital, you have the right to receive considerate and respectful care. The
American Hospital Association published a Patient's Bill of Rights, which is now revised and called The
Patient Care Partnership. This document reflects acknowledgment of patients' rights to participate in
their health care and was developed as a response to consumer criticism of paternalistic provider care.
The statements detail the patient's rights with corresponding provider responsibilities. This document
reflects the increasing emphasis on patient autonomy in health care and defines the limits of provider
influence and control. It does not contain information on diets, nursing diagnosis, or the ability to pay for
medical care.
A nurse manager is teaching the purpose of the nurse's Code of Ethics to a group of high school
students. Which statement by one of the students indicates that the teaching has been effective? The
purpose of the nurse's Code of Ethics is
a. "to assist in clarifying the individual nurse's personal values and goals."
b. "to differentiate between moral and immoral acts."
c. "to guide the behavior of the professional nurse."
d. "to identify acts that are legal for the nurse to perform." - ANS ✔✔ANS: C
The American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics (2001) is a statement to society that outlines the
values, concerns, and goals of the profession. It should be compatible with the values and goals of each
nurse. It does not outline moral or immoral acts or make statements regarding legal aspects of nursing.
Which statement best describes the Code of Ethics of the American Nurses Association?
a. A moral statement of accountability for practicing nurses and for student nurses
b. A legal document describing the responsibilities of the nurse
c. A statement regarding nursing care that outlines principles for the
hospital to use to evaluate quality of care
d. A document that is used as a guide for the nurse to consider in the decision-making process in legal
situations - ANS ✔✔ANS: B
The Code of Ethics is a moral statement of accountability for practicing nurses and for student nurses. It
is a statement to society that outlines the values, concerns, and goals of the profession, thereby
addressing accountability. The code provides direction for ethical decisions and behavior by repeatedly
emphasizing the obligations and responsibilities that the nurse-patient relationship entails. It lacks legal
enforceability and is not a legal document like licensure laws
Which ethical principle is applied when the nurse acts to safeguard the patient and the public by
reporting poor nursing practice?
a. Autonomy
b. Fidelity
, c. Justice
d. Veracity - ANS ✔✔ANS: D
Veracity—the duty to tell the truth—is represented in this situation. Autonomy is the right of the patient
to make an informed decision. Fidelity means to act in a way that is loyal, such as keeping information
private and confidential. Justice requires the nurse to treat all patients fairly without regard to age,
socioeconomic status, or other variables.
What ethical principle is implemented, or supported, when the nurse encourages a patient to be
involved in planning and implementing self-care?
a. Autonomy
b. Fidelity
c. Justice
d. Veracity - ANS ✔✔ANS: A
A patient's right to self-determination implies the freedom to make choices and decisions about one's
own care without interference even if those decisions are not in agreement with those of the health care
team. Justice is the duty to treat all patients fairly without regard to age, socioeconomic status, or other
variables. This principle involves the allocation of scarce and expensive health care resources. Fidelity
involves keeping information confidential and maintaining privacy and trust. Veracity is the duty to tell
the truth.
The ethical principle of autonomy is not applicable in which patient situation?
a. The patient does not speak or understand the English language.
b. The patient is unaware of who or where he or she is.
c. The patient has been in a long-term care facility for 10 years.
d. The patient has values that conflict with the caregiver's values. - ANS ✔✔ANS: B
This principle assumes rational thinking on the part of the individual, and being unaware of who and
where the patient is, is not indicative of the ethical principle of autonomy. Autonomy is a patient's right
to self- determination implies the freedom to make choices and decisions about one's own care without
interference even if those decisions are not in agreement with those of the health care team. In the
other situations, the patient has rational thinking even though he or she may not understand or speak
English because an interpreter could assist.
A nurse is educating a nurse aide on patient confidentiality. The nurse believes the teaching to be
effective when the nurse aide states that confidentiality will be maintained by a nurse who believes in
and values the ethical principle of
a. veracity.
b. autonomy.
c. justice.
d. fidelity. - ANS ✔✔ANS: D
Fidelity involves keeping information confidential and maintaining privacy and trust. Veracity means to
tell the truth. Autonomy involves the patient making an informed decision and implies the freedom to
make choices and decisions about one's own care without interference even if those decisions are not in
agreement with those of the health care team. Justice is the duty to treat all patients fairly without
regard to age, socioeconomic status, or other variables.
A patient who has a terminal illness wants to be able to take a prescription medication to end life when
suffering becomes unbearable. The patient asks the nurse for advice. Operating from a deontological
point of reference, what action does the nurse take?
PRACTICE QUESTIONS, ANSWERS & EXAM REVIEW
A nurse is educating an adult patient on patient rights, according to the American Hospital Association.
The teaching has been effective when the adult states that the patient's rights include:
a. "choice of diet to be eaten during hospitalization."
b. "considerate and respectful care from all care providers."
c. "medical care regardless of ability to pay."
d. "information from nurses about diagnosis and prognosis." - ANS ✔✔ANS: B
When you are a patient in the hospital, you have the right to receive considerate and respectful care. The
American Hospital Association published a Patient's Bill of Rights, which is now revised and called The
Patient Care Partnership. This document reflects acknowledgment of patients' rights to participate in
their health care and was developed as a response to consumer criticism of paternalistic provider care.
The statements detail the patient's rights with corresponding provider responsibilities. This document
reflects the increasing emphasis on patient autonomy in health care and defines the limits of provider
influence and control. It does not contain information on diets, nursing diagnosis, or the ability to pay for
medical care.
A nurse manager is teaching the purpose of the nurse's Code of Ethics to a group of high school
students. Which statement by one of the students indicates that the teaching has been effective? The
purpose of the nurse's Code of Ethics is
a. "to assist in clarifying the individual nurse's personal values and goals."
b. "to differentiate between moral and immoral acts."
c. "to guide the behavior of the professional nurse."
d. "to identify acts that are legal for the nurse to perform." - ANS ✔✔ANS: C
The American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics (2001) is a statement to society that outlines the
values, concerns, and goals of the profession. It should be compatible with the values and goals of each
nurse. It does not outline moral or immoral acts or make statements regarding legal aspects of nursing.
Which statement best describes the Code of Ethics of the American Nurses Association?
a. A moral statement of accountability for practicing nurses and for student nurses
b. A legal document describing the responsibilities of the nurse
c. A statement regarding nursing care that outlines principles for the
hospital to use to evaluate quality of care
d. A document that is used as a guide for the nurse to consider in the decision-making process in legal
situations - ANS ✔✔ANS: B
The Code of Ethics is a moral statement of accountability for practicing nurses and for student nurses. It
is a statement to society that outlines the values, concerns, and goals of the profession, thereby
addressing accountability. The code provides direction for ethical decisions and behavior by repeatedly
emphasizing the obligations and responsibilities that the nurse-patient relationship entails. It lacks legal
enforceability and is not a legal document like licensure laws
Which ethical principle is applied when the nurse acts to safeguard the patient and the public by
reporting poor nursing practice?
a. Autonomy
b. Fidelity
, c. Justice
d. Veracity - ANS ✔✔ANS: D
Veracity—the duty to tell the truth—is represented in this situation. Autonomy is the right of the patient
to make an informed decision. Fidelity means to act in a way that is loyal, such as keeping information
private and confidential. Justice requires the nurse to treat all patients fairly without regard to age,
socioeconomic status, or other variables.
What ethical principle is implemented, or supported, when the nurse encourages a patient to be
involved in planning and implementing self-care?
a. Autonomy
b. Fidelity
c. Justice
d. Veracity - ANS ✔✔ANS: A
A patient's right to self-determination implies the freedom to make choices and decisions about one's
own care without interference even if those decisions are not in agreement with those of the health care
team. Justice is the duty to treat all patients fairly without regard to age, socioeconomic status, or other
variables. This principle involves the allocation of scarce and expensive health care resources. Fidelity
involves keeping information confidential and maintaining privacy and trust. Veracity is the duty to tell
the truth.
The ethical principle of autonomy is not applicable in which patient situation?
a. The patient does not speak or understand the English language.
b. The patient is unaware of who or where he or she is.
c. The patient has been in a long-term care facility for 10 years.
d. The patient has values that conflict with the caregiver's values. - ANS ✔✔ANS: B
This principle assumes rational thinking on the part of the individual, and being unaware of who and
where the patient is, is not indicative of the ethical principle of autonomy. Autonomy is a patient's right
to self- determination implies the freedom to make choices and decisions about one's own care without
interference even if those decisions are not in agreement with those of the health care team. In the
other situations, the patient has rational thinking even though he or she may not understand or speak
English because an interpreter could assist.
A nurse is educating a nurse aide on patient confidentiality. The nurse believes the teaching to be
effective when the nurse aide states that confidentiality will be maintained by a nurse who believes in
and values the ethical principle of
a. veracity.
b. autonomy.
c. justice.
d. fidelity. - ANS ✔✔ANS: D
Fidelity involves keeping information confidential and maintaining privacy and trust. Veracity means to
tell the truth. Autonomy involves the patient making an informed decision and implies the freedom to
make choices and decisions about one's own care without interference even if those decisions are not in
agreement with those of the health care team. Justice is the duty to treat all patients fairly without
regard to age, socioeconomic status, or other variables.
A patient who has a terminal illness wants to be able to take a prescription medication to end life when
suffering becomes unbearable. The patient asks the nurse for advice. Operating from a deontological
point of reference, what action does the nurse take?
