NSG 314 — Nursing Ethics and Legal Issues
exam Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2027
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. Which ethical principle requires nurses to respect a patient's right
to make decisions about their own healthcare?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Fidelity
Rationale: Autonomy is the ethical principle that recognizes a
competent patient's right to make voluntary, informed decisions
regarding healthcare. Nurses support autonomy by providing accurate
information, respecting choices, and avoiding coercion.
2. A nurse administers a medication intended to relieve a patient's
severe pain. Which ethical principle is primarily demonstrated?
,A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Justice
D. Veracity
Rationale: Beneficence means acting for the patient's benefit and
promoting their well-being. Providing appropriate pain relief is an
action intended to improve the patient's comfort and health.
3. Which ethical principle means that nurses should avoid causing
harm to patients?
A. Fidelity
B. Autonomy
C. Justice
D. Nonmaleficence
Rationale: Nonmaleficence means "do no harm." Nurses apply this
principle by identifying risks, preventing errors, using safe practices,
and avoiding interventions in which potential harm outweighs
expected benefit.
4. A nurse ensures that patients with similar healthcare needs have
equitable access to available resources. Which principle is being
applied?
,A. Fidelity
B. Veracity
C. Justice
D. Autonomy
Rationale: Justice concerns fairness and equitable treatment. In
nursing, it includes fair allocation of resources and avoiding
discrimination when providing healthcare.
5. A nurse promises a patient that she will return after completing
another task and then returns as promised. Which ethical
principle is demonstrated?
A. Justice
B. Fidelity
C. Autonomy
D. Nonmaleficence
Rationale: Fidelity refers to keeping commitments and being faithful
to professional responsibilities. Following through on promises helps
establish trust between the nurse and patient.
6. Which ethical principle requires the nurse to provide truthful and
accurate information to a patient?
, A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Veracity
D. Fidelity
Rationale: Veracity means truthfulness. Nurses should communicate
honestly while providing information in a manner appropriate to the
patient's understanding and clinical circumstances.
7. A competent adult refuses a recommended surgical procedure
after receiving adequate information about the risks and benefits.
What should the nurse do?
A. Ask the family to persuade the patient
B. Proceed because the procedure is medically necessary
C. Respect the patient's informed decision
D. Request that the healthcare provider override the refusal
Rationale: A competent adult has the right to accept or refuse
treatment. Respecting the patient's informed refusal supports
autonomy, even when healthcare professionals disagree with the
decision.
8. Which situation is an example of informed consent?
exam Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2027
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. Which ethical principle requires nurses to respect a patient's right
to make decisions about their own healthcare?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Fidelity
Rationale: Autonomy is the ethical principle that recognizes a
competent patient's right to make voluntary, informed decisions
regarding healthcare. Nurses support autonomy by providing accurate
information, respecting choices, and avoiding coercion.
2. A nurse administers a medication intended to relieve a patient's
severe pain. Which ethical principle is primarily demonstrated?
,A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Justice
D. Veracity
Rationale: Beneficence means acting for the patient's benefit and
promoting their well-being. Providing appropriate pain relief is an
action intended to improve the patient's comfort and health.
3. Which ethical principle means that nurses should avoid causing
harm to patients?
A. Fidelity
B. Autonomy
C. Justice
D. Nonmaleficence
Rationale: Nonmaleficence means "do no harm." Nurses apply this
principle by identifying risks, preventing errors, using safe practices,
and avoiding interventions in which potential harm outweighs
expected benefit.
4. A nurse ensures that patients with similar healthcare needs have
equitable access to available resources. Which principle is being
applied?
,A. Fidelity
B. Veracity
C. Justice
D. Autonomy
Rationale: Justice concerns fairness and equitable treatment. In
nursing, it includes fair allocation of resources and avoiding
discrimination when providing healthcare.
5. A nurse promises a patient that she will return after completing
another task and then returns as promised. Which ethical
principle is demonstrated?
A. Justice
B. Fidelity
C. Autonomy
D. Nonmaleficence
Rationale: Fidelity refers to keeping commitments and being faithful
to professional responsibilities. Following through on promises helps
establish trust between the nurse and patient.
6. Which ethical principle requires the nurse to provide truthful and
accurate information to a patient?
, A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Veracity
D. Fidelity
Rationale: Veracity means truthfulness. Nurses should communicate
honestly while providing information in a manner appropriate to the
patient's understanding and clinical circumstances.
7. A competent adult refuses a recommended surgical procedure
after receiving adequate information about the risks and benefits.
What should the nurse do?
A. Ask the family to persuade the patient
B. Proceed because the procedure is medically necessary
C. Respect the patient's informed decision
D. Request that the healthcare provider override the refusal
Rationale: A competent adult has the right to accept or refuse
treatment. Respecting the patient's informed refusal supports
autonomy, even when healthcare professionals disagree with the
decision.
8. Which situation is an example of informed consent?
