1
Religion and morals can at times be interrelated within healthcare. The
client wants to maintain the baby until natural delivery occurs because
having an abortion would be against her religion. The client is demonstrating her morals.
The client may or may not be demonstrating sound judgment or a healthy decision. The
nurse has no way of knowing if the client is in fear of retribution.
The family of a terminally ill client requests that the client not be informed of the
diagnosis. Which moral principle does the request violate?
A) Justice
B) Veracity
C) Beneficence
D) Nonmaleficence - B) Veracity
Veracity is the duty to tell the truth. The family of a terminally ill client is requesting that
the diagnosis be withheld from the client, which would violate the principle of veracity.
Beneficence is the duty to "do good." Nonmaleficence is the duty to do no harm. Justice
refers to fairness.
The nurse is talking with a parent who decides to decline treatment for a 3-year-old client
whose cancer has metastasized. There is a conflict between the parents and the rest of
the family regarding the withdrawal of care from the child. Which should the nurse
consider when determining the appropriate action for this client?
A) The beliefs of the child
B) The values of the parents
C) The age of the child
D) The values of the rest of the family - B) The values of the parents.
When confronted with a conflict regarding care, one of the first actions by the nurse is to
consider the values and beliefs of the parents who are making the decision. The age of
the child is not a relevant factor in the decision making if the child is under 18 years. The
child is too young to have values and beliefs. The nurse is respectful with the rest of the
family but should consider the parents' decision only.
A client comes to the clinic and is found to have a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
The client states to the nurse, "Promise you won't tell anyone about my condition."
According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996,
which action must the nurse take?
A) Honor the client's wishes.
B) Respect the client's privacy and confidentiality.
C) Communicate only necessary information.
D) Not disclose any information to anyone. - C) Communicate only necessary
information.
HIPAA includes standards that protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data
as well as standards that define appropriate disclosures of identifiable health information
and client rights protection. Nurses are entrusted with sensitive information, which at
times must be revealed to other healthcare personnel in order to provide appropriate
healthcare. In this case, the nurse may be required to report information to the state
health department. Clients must be able to trust that their information is secure and will
, 2
only be shared with appropriate entities. Nurses should not make promises
to keep necessary information private.
The nurse is preparing to assess comfort for several clients. If the nurse, in addition to
assessing the client's physical experience of pain, assesses whether the client has a
present and reliable personal support network, then the nurse is assessing which context
of holistic human experience during this process?
A) Transcendence
B) Environmental
C) Psychospiritual
D) Sociocultural - Answer: D
Explanation: Comfort is the experience of having needs for relief and ease met in four
contexts: physical, psychospiritual, sociocultural, and environmental. Sociocultural
comfort is related to family and social relationships, which a personal support network
would exemplify. Transcendence is not a context of holistic human experience.
The nurse provides an in-service to peers regarding situations that can affect the comfort
level of the clients on the unit. Which client statement indicates that the client's sense of
well-being is negatively impacted?
A) "I feel like I have no energy today."
B) "I don't feel any physical pain today."
C) "I was able to sleep uninterrupted last night."
D) "I am so glad that playing cards takes my mind off my worries." - Answer: A
Fatigue is a lack of energy and motivation. A fatigued client is unable to focus on healing
and lacks the ability to cope in stressful situations. Restful sleep, physical well-being
without pain, and appropriate diversion all promote a sense of comfort for the client.
A client is experiencing sudden-onset severe pain in the left lower quadrant of the
abdomen that is rated as a 10 on a pain scale of 0-10. The client is also experiencing
nausea, vomiting, and restlessness. Based on this data, the nurse concludes that the
client is experiencing which phenomenon?
A) Acute pain
B) Chronic pain
C) End-of-life pain
D) Fibromyalgia pain - Answer: A
Duration establishes the difference between acute and chronic pain. Acute pain is
defined as pain that lasts only through the expected recovery period, which is usually 30
days to 6 months. Acute pain typically has a sudden onset related to injury, surgery, or
illness. Chronic pain outlasts the illness and extends beyond the recovery period. End-of-
life and fibromyalgia would most likely involve chronic pain.
The nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing acute chest pain that is rated as a 9
on a 0 to 10 pain scale. Based on this data, which medication does the nurse expect to
administer?
A) Acetaminophen
, 3
B) Morphine
C) Ibuprofen
D) Naproxen - Answer: B
Acute pain is often treated with an opioid such as morphine. Morphine is often used to
treat chest pain that is associated with a myocardial infarction. Acetaminophen,
ibuprofen, and naproxen are more appropriate for other types of pain, not acute chest
pain.
The nurse is designing a teaching plan for community members on ways to prevent
chronic pain. Which information should the nurse include in this teaching plan? Select all
that apply.
A) Eating a healthy diet
B) Obtaining adequate sleep
C) Avoiding illicit drug use
D) Limiting smoking to only before bedtime
E) Avoiding repetitive movements - Answer: A, B, C, E Lifestyle habits that predispose
individuals to chronic health alterations increase an individual's risk for experiencing
discomfort. Eating a healthy diet and obtaining adequate sleep can prevent the
development of chronic diseases that lead to symptoms of discomfort. Using illicit drugs
and smoking can cause emotional and physical withdrawal symptoms when the drug is
no longer used. It is wise to not engage in smoking or illicit drug use to prevent the onset
of discomfort. Repetitive movements can increase the risk for injury and fatigue, leading
to discomfort.
Which of the following triggers pain?
A) The central nervous system
B) The peripheral nervous system
C) The musculoskeletal system
D) The cardiovascular system - Answer: B
Pain is triggered by the peripheral nervous system, which lies outside the brain and
spinal cord of the central nervous system and does not involve the musculoskeletal or
cardiovascular systems
The nurse administers morphine to a client after surgery to help manage pain even
though morphine has a risk of creating dependence and addiction. What ethical principle
does the nurse apply in this situation when planning care?
A) Veracity
B) Justice
C) Autonomy
D) Beneficence - Answer: D
Beneficence requires that the actions one takes should promote good. This includes
giving treatments that have some risks when the nurse and others involved in client care
have determined that the benefits outweigh the risks. Autonomy is the right to self-
determination. Justice means treating all clients fairly. Veracity is the principle of always
telling the truth.
, 4
A nurse is caring for an older adult client with terminal cancer. The client's
family wants to continue treatment, but the client would like to discontinue
treatment and go home. The nurse agrees to be present while the client tells the family.
Which principle is the nurse supporting?
A) Beneficence for the client
B) Autonomy for the client
C) Nonmaleficence for the client
D) Justice for the client - Answer: B
Autonomy refers to the right to make one's own decisions. The nurse is supporting this
principle by supporting the client in his decision. Nonmaleficence is the duty to "do no
harm." Justice is often referred to as fairness. Beneficence means "doing good."
A nurse is volunteering time in a local free clinic that provides care to the underinsured
population. By volunteering time to work in the clinic, this nurse is demonstrating which
professional value?
A) Human dignity
B) Social justice
C) Integrity
D) Autonomy - Answer: B
Social justice is upholding fairness on a social scale. This value is demonstrated in
professional practice when the nurse works to ensure equal treatment under the law and
equal access to quality healthcare. Human dignity is respect for the worth and
uniqueness of individuals and populations. Autonomy is respecting the client's right to
make decisions about their healthcare. Integrity is acting in accordance with an
appropriate code of ethics and accepted standards of practice.
The nurse is caring for a client on a medical-surgical unit. The client tells the nurse that
the healthcare provider has refused to treat the client further if the client continues to be
noncompliant with the healthcare provider's recommendations. Which is the priority
nursing action in this situation?
A) Take the issue to the hospital ethics committee.
B) Advise the client to sue the healthcare provider.
C) Have the client contact a consumer agency.
D) Notify the healthcare provider of the client's complaints - Answer: A
Acting as a client advocate and protecting the client's rights, the nurse should enlist the
help of the hospital ethics committee. The nurse never advises a client to sue but assists
the client to find help resolving the issue. A consumer agency is not appropriate because
this is an ethical matter. The nurse should act on behalf of the client, and the best way to
do that is by taking the issue to the hospital ethics committee, not to the healthcare
provider.
A client, learning that her baby has died in utero, is planning to carry the baby until
natural delivery because abortion is against her religion. Which is the client
demonstrating based on this data?
A) Fear of retribution
B) Morals
Religion and morals can at times be interrelated within healthcare. The
client wants to maintain the baby until natural delivery occurs because
having an abortion would be against her religion. The client is demonstrating her morals.
The client may or may not be demonstrating sound judgment or a healthy decision. The
nurse has no way of knowing if the client is in fear of retribution.
The family of a terminally ill client requests that the client not be informed of the
diagnosis. Which moral principle does the request violate?
A) Justice
B) Veracity
C) Beneficence
D) Nonmaleficence - B) Veracity
Veracity is the duty to tell the truth. The family of a terminally ill client is requesting that
the diagnosis be withheld from the client, which would violate the principle of veracity.
Beneficence is the duty to "do good." Nonmaleficence is the duty to do no harm. Justice
refers to fairness.
The nurse is talking with a parent who decides to decline treatment for a 3-year-old client
whose cancer has metastasized. There is a conflict between the parents and the rest of
the family regarding the withdrawal of care from the child. Which should the nurse
consider when determining the appropriate action for this client?
A) The beliefs of the child
B) The values of the parents
C) The age of the child
D) The values of the rest of the family - B) The values of the parents.
When confronted with a conflict regarding care, one of the first actions by the nurse is to
consider the values and beliefs of the parents who are making the decision. The age of
the child is not a relevant factor in the decision making if the child is under 18 years. The
child is too young to have values and beliefs. The nurse is respectful with the rest of the
family but should consider the parents' decision only.
A client comes to the clinic and is found to have a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
The client states to the nurse, "Promise you won't tell anyone about my condition."
According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996,
which action must the nurse take?
A) Honor the client's wishes.
B) Respect the client's privacy and confidentiality.
C) Communicate only necessary information.
D) Not disclose any information to anyone. - C) Communicate only necessary
information.
HIPAA includes standards that protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data
as well as standards that define appropriate disclosures of identifiable health information
and client rights protection. Nurses are entrusted with sensitive information, which at
times must be revealed to other healthcare personnel in order to provide appropriate
healthcare. In this case, the nurse may be required to report information to the state
health department. Clients must be able to trust that their information is secure and will
, 2
only be shared with appropriate entities. Nurses should not make promises
to keep necessary information private.
The nurse is preparing to assess comfort for several clients. If the nurse, in addition to
assessing the client's physical experience of pain, assesses whether the client has a
present and reliable personal support network, then the nurse is assessing which context
of holistic human experience during this process?
A) Transcendence
B) Environmental
C) Psychospiritual
D) Sociocultural - Answer: D
Explanation: Comfort is the experience of having needs for relief and ease met in four
contexts: physical, psychospiritual, sociocultural, and environmental. Sociocultural
comfort is related to family and social relationships, which a personal support network
would exemplify. Transcendence is not a context of holistic human experience.
The nurse provides an in-service to peers regarding situations that can affect the comfort
level of the clients on the unit. Which client statement indicates that the client's sense of
well-being is negatively impacted?
A) "I feel like I have no energy today."
B) "I don't feel any physical pain today."
C) "I was able to sleep uninterrupted last night."
D) "I am so glad that playing cards takes my mind off my worries." - Answer: A
Fatigue is a lack of energy and motivation. A fatigued client is unable to focus on healing
and lacks the ability to cope in stressful situations. Restful sleep, physical well-being
without pain, and appropriate diversion all promote a sense of comfort for the client.
A client is experiencing sudden-onset severe pain in the left lower quadrant of the
abdomen that is rated as a 10 on a pain scale of 0-10. The client is also experiencing
nausea, vomiting, and restlessness. Based on this data, the nurse concludes that the
client is experiencing which phenomenon?
A) Acute pain
B) Chronic pain
C) End-of-life pain
D) Fibromyalgia pain - Answer: A
Duration establishes the difference between acute and chronic pain. Acute pain is
defined as pain that lasts only through the expected recovery period, which is usually 30
days to 6 months. Acute pain typically has a sudden onset related to injury, surgery, or
illness. Chronic pain outlasts the illness and extends beyond the recovery period. End-of-
life and fibromyalgia would most likely involve chronic pain.
The nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing acute chest pain that is rated as a 9
on a 0 to 10 pain scale. Based on this data, which medication does the nurse expect to
administer?
A) Acetaminophen
, 3
B) Morphine
C) Ibuprofen
D) Naproxen - Answer: B
Acute pain is often treated with an opioid such as morphine. Morphine is often used to
treat chest pain that is associated with a myocardial infarction. Acetaminophen,
ibuprofen, and naproxen are more appropriate for other types of pain, not acute chest
pain.
The nurse is designing a teaching plan for community members on ways to prevent
chronic pain. Which information should the nurse include in this teaching plan? Select all
that apply.
A) Eating a healthy diet
B) Obtaining adequate sleep
C) Avoiding illicit drug use
D) Limiting smoking to only before bedtime
E) Avoiding repetitive movements - Answer: A, B, C, E Lifestyle habits that predispose
individuals to chronic health alterations increase an individual's risk for experiencing
discomfort. Eating a healthy diet and obtaining adequate sleep can prevent the
development of chronic diseases that lead to symptoms of discomfort. Using illicit drugs
and smoking can cause emotional and physical withdrawal symptoms when the drug is
no longer used. It is wise to not engage in smoking or illicit drug use to prevent the onset
of discomfort. Repetitive movements can increase the risk for injury and fatigue, leading
to discomfort.
Which of the following triggers pain?
A) The central nervous system
B) The peripheral nervous system
C) The musculoskeletal system
D) The cardiovascular system - Answer: B
Pain is triggered by the peripheral nervous system, which lies outside the brain and
spinal cord of the central nervous system and does not involve the musculoskeletal or
cardiovascular systems
The nurse administers morphine to a client after surgery to help manage pain even
though morphine has a risk of creating dependence and addiction. What ethical principle
does the nurse apply in this situation when planning care?
A) Veracity
B) Justice
C) Autonomy
D) Beneficence - Answer: D
Beneficence requires that the actions one takes should promote good. This includes
giving treatments that have some risks when the nurse and others involved in client care
have determined that the benefits outweigh the risks. Autonomy is the right to self-
determination. Justice means treating all clients fairly. Veracity is the principle of always
telling the truth.
, 4
A nurse is caring for an older adult client with terminal cancer. The client's
family wants to continue treatment, but the client would like to discontinue
treatment and go home. The nurse agrees to be present while the client tells the family.
Which principle is the nurse supporting?
A) Beneficence for the client
B) Autonomy for the client
C) Nonmaleficence for the client
D) Justice for the client - Answer: B
Autonomy refers to the right to make one's own decisions. The nurse is supporting this
principle by supporting the client in his decision. Nonmaleficence is the duty to "do no
harm." Justice is often referred to as fairness. Beneficence means "doing good."
A nurse is volunteering time in a local free clinic that provides care to the underinsured
population. By volunteering time to work in the clinic, this nurse is demonstrating which
professional value?
A) Human dignity
B) Social justice
C) Integrity
D) Autonomy - Answer: B
Social justice is upholding fairness on a social scale. This value is demonstrated in
professional practice when the nurse works to ensure equal treatment under the law and
equal access to quality healthcare. Human dignity is respect for the worth and
uniqueness of individuals and populations. Autonomy is respecting the client's right to
make decisions about their healthcare. Integrity is acting in accordance with an
appropriate code of ethics and accepted standards of practice.
The nurse is caring for a client on a medical-surgical unit. The client tells the nurse that
the healthcare provider has refused to treat the client further if the client continues to be
noncompliant with the healthcare provider's recommendations. Which is the priority
nursing action in this situation?
A) Take the issue to the hospital ethics committee.
B) Advise the client to sue the healthcare provider.
C) Have the client contact a consumer agency.
D) Notify the healthcare provider of the client's complaints - Answer: A
Acting as a client advocate and protecting the client's rights, the nurse should enlist the
help of the hospital ethics committee. The nurse never advises a client to sue but assists
the client to find help resolving the issue. A consumer agency is not appropriate because
this is an ethical matter. The nurse should act on behalf of the client, and the best way to
do that is by taking the issue to the hospital ethics committee, not to the healthcare
provider.
A client, learning that her baby has died in utero, is planning to carry the baby until
natural delivery because abortion is against her religion. Which is the client
demonstrating based on this data?
A) Fear of retribution
B) Morals
