GALEN NSG 4800
Transition to Professional Nursing Practice
ETHICS, LEGAL ISSUES &
PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY TEST
70 Questions with Answers & Detailed Explanations
70 A-D Every Q
Original Questions Multiple Choice Answer + Rationale
PASSPOINTPRO
Focused practice in nursing ethics, legal responsibilities, informed consent, confidentiality, documentation, scope of practice,
patient rights, professional boundaries, and accountability.
,PASSPOINTPRO | NSG 4800 ETHICS, LEGAL ISSUES & ACCOUNTABILITY
HOW TO USE THIS TEST
Answer each scenario before reviewing the rationale. Focus on ethical principles, patient rights, scope and standards of
practice, documentation, legal risk reduction, and accountable nursing actions.
QUESTION 1 | ETHICAL FOUNDATIONS
A competent adult refuses a recommended blood transfusion after the risks are explained. What
should the nurse do?
A Respect the informed refusal and notify the care team
B Ask family to overrule the patient
C Administer the transfusion because it may save life
D Tell the patient refusal is not allowed
Answer: A
Explanation:
Autonomy protects a competent patient's right to accept or refuse treatment. The nurse should confirm that the choice is
informed, communicate it, and continue supportive care.
QUESTION 2 | ETHICAL FOUNDATIONS
Which ethical principle directs the nurse to act for the patient's good?
A Justice
B Beneficence
C Fidelity
D Veracity
Answer: B
Explanation:
Beneficence is the duty to promote well-being and choose actions expected to benefit the patient while considering risks and
preferences.
Transition to Professional Nursing Practice Page 2
,PASSPOINTPRO | NSG 4800 ETHICS, LEGAL ISSUES & ACCOUNTABILITY
QUESTION 3 | ETHICAL FOUNDATIONS
Which action best demonstrates nonmaleficence?
A Giving every patient identical care regardless of need
B Withholding important information to prevent worry
C Avoiding an intervention when foreseeable harm outweighs likely benefit
D Keeping a promise even when it creates unsafe care
Answer: C
Explanation:
Nonmaleficence means avoiding preventable harm. Nurses consider risks, contraindications, and safer alternatives before
acting.
QUESTION 4 | ETHICAL FOUNDATIONS
Two patients need the last monitored bed. Which approach best reflects justice?
A Give it to the patient with private insurance
B Give it to the patient with the most visitors
C Give it to the patient who complains the loudest
D Use fair clinical criteria based on need and established allocation processes
Answer: D
Explanation:
Justice concerns fairness and equitable distribution of limited resources. Decisions should rely on consistent, clinically relevant
criteria.
Transition to Professional Nursing Practice Page 3
, PASSPOINTPRO | NSG 4800 ETHICS, LEGAL ISSUES & ACCOUNTABILITY
QUESTION 5 | ETHICAL FOUNDATIONS
A nurse promises to return with pain medication in 20 minutes and follows through. Which principle
is illustrated?
A Fidelity
B Autonomy
C Justice
D Nonmaleficence
Answer: A
Explanation:
Fidelity refers to keeping commitments and being trustworthy. Following through supports the therapeutic relationship.
QUESTION 6 | ETHICAL FOUNDATIONS
A patient asks directly why a new medication is prescribed. Which response best reflects veracity?
A Change the subject to prevent anxiety
B Provide accurate information in understandable language
C Say it is routine even when unsure
D Ask another patient to explain it
Answer: B
Explanation:
Veracity is truthfulness. Nurses should give accurate information within their role and seek clarification when needed.
Transition to Professional Nursing Practice Page 4
Transition to Professional Nursing Practice
ETHICS, LEGAL ISSUES &
PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY TEST
70 Questions with Answers & Detailed Explanations
70 A-D Every Q
Original Questions Multiple Choice Answer + Rationale
PASSPOINTPRO
Focused practice in nursing ethics, legal responsibilities, informed consent, confidentiality, documentation, scope of practice,
patient rights, professional boundaries, and accountability.
,PASSPOINTPRO | NSG 4800 ETHICS, LEGAL ISSUES & ACCOUNTABILITY
HOW TO USE THIS TEST
Answer each scenario before reviewing the rationale. Focus on ethical principles, patient rights, scope and standards of
practice, documentation, legal risk reduction, and accountable nursing actions.
QUESTION 1 | ETHICAL FOUNDATIONS
A competent adult refuses a recommended blood transfusion after the risks are explained. What
should the nurse do?
A Respect the informed refusal and notify the care team
B Ask family to overrule the patient
C Administer the transfusion because it may save life
D Tell the patient refusal is not allowed
Answer: A
Explanation:
Autonomy protects a competent patient's right to accept or refuse treatment. The nurse should confirm that the choice is
informed, communicate it, and continue supportive care.
QUESTION 2 | ETHICAL FOUNDATIONS
Which ethical principle directs the nurse to act for the patient's good?
A Justice
B Beneficence
C Fidelity
D Veracity
Answer: B
Explanation:
Beneficence is the duty to promote well-being and choose actions expected to benefit the patient while considering risks and
preferences.
Transition to Professional Nursing Practice Page 2
,PASSPOINTPRO | NSG 4800 ETHICS, LEGAL ISSUES & ACCOUNTABILITY
QUESTION 3 | ETHICAL FOUNDATIONS
Which action best demonstrates nonmaleficence?
A Giving every patient identical care regardless of need
B Withholding important information to prevent worry
C Avoiding an intervention when foreseeable harm outweighs likely benefit
D Keeping a promise even when it creates unsafe care
Answer: C
Explanation:
Nonmaleficence means avoiding preventable harm. Nurses consider risks, contraindications, and safer alternatives before
acting.
QUESTION 4 | ETHICAL FOUNDATIONS
Two patients need the last monitored bed. Which approach best reflects justice?
A Give it to the patient with private insurance
B Give it to the patient with the most visitors
C Give it to the patient who complains the loudest
D Use fair clinical criteria based on need and established allocation processes
Answer: D
Explanation:
Justice concerns fairness and equitable distribution of limited resources. Decisions should rely on consistent, clinically relevant
criteria.
Transition to Professional Nursing Practice Page 3
, PASSPOINTPRO | NSG 4800 ETHICS, LEGAL ISSUES & ACCOUNTABILITY
QUESTION 5 | ETHICAL FOUNDATIONS
A nurse promises to return with pain medication in 20 minutes and follows through. Which principle
is illustrated?
A Fidelity
B Autonomy
C Justice
D Nonmaleficence
Answer: A
Explanation:
Fidelity refers to keeping commitments and being trustworthy. Following through supports the therapeutic relationship.
QUESTION 6 | ETHICAL FOUNDATIONS
A patient asks directly why a new medication is prescribed. Which response best reflects veracity?
A Change the subject to prevent anxiety
B Provide accurate information in understandable language
C Say it is routine even when unsure
D Ask another patient to explain it
Answer: B
Explanation:
Veracity is truthfulness. Nurses should give accurate information within their role and seek clarification when needed.
Transition to Professional Nursing Practice Page 4
