Test Bank Q Fundamental of Nursing Yoost: Chapter 11 - Ethical and Legal Considerations

A nurse has been asked to care for a patient who is an inmate from a nearby prison. During shift report, the nurse asks, "Why was the man convicted and imprisoned?" Another nurse responds that this is not important since nurses are required to provide compassionate care for all people in all circumstances. The responding nurse has displayed what concept? a. Beneficence b. Advocacy c. Confidentiality d. Autonomy - ANS: A In its simplest form, beneficence can be defined as doing good. Nurses demonstrate beneficence by acting on behalf of others and placing a priority on the needs of others rather than on personal thoughts and feelings. The ethical concept of beneficence necessitates providing care for the prisoner without reproach and provide compassionate care for all people in all circumstances. Supporting or promoting the interests of others or doing so for a cause greater than ourselves defines advocacy. Confidentiality is the ethical concept that limits sharing private patient information. Autonomy, or self-determination, is the freedom to make decisions supported by knowledge and self-confidence After studying legal issues important to nursing, the student shows appropriate understanding with which statement? a. Laws change often, creating liability issues for nurses. b. Licensure laws are devised to protect the nurse. c. The nurse is not responsible for other disciplines' mistakes. d. Keeping current with changing laws can protect the nurse. - ANS: D Laws delineate acceptable nursing practice, provide a basis on which many health care decisions are determined, and protect nurses from liability in cases in which safe practice is maintained. Each state has a nurse practice act that establishes the standards of care required for legal nursing practice. Licensure, laws, rules, and regulations governing nursing practice