Ethical and Legal Issues in
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Exam
Questions With Complete Solution
Graded A+
In response to a student's question regarding choosing a psychiatric specialty, a charge
nurse states, "Mentally ill clients need special care. If I were in that position, I'd want a
caring nurse also." From which ethical framework is the charge nurse operating?
A. Kantianism
B. Christian ethics
C. Ethical egoism
D. Utilitarianism - CORRECT ANSWER-ANS: B
The charge nurse is operating from a Christian ethics framework. The imperative
demand of Christian ethics is to treat others as moral equals by permitting them to act
as we do when they occupy a position similar to ours. Kantianism states that decisions
should be made based on moral law and that actions are bound by a sense of moral
duty. Utilitarianism holds that decisions should be made focusing on the end result
being happiness. Ethical egoism promotes the idea that what is right is good for the
individual.
During a hiring interview, which response by a nursing applicant should indicate that the
applicant operates from an ethical egoism framework?
A. "I would want to be treated in a caring manner if I were mentally ill."
B. "This job will pay the bills, and the workload is light enough for me."
C. "I will be happy caring for the mentally ill. Working in Med/Surg kills my back."
, D. "It is my duty in life to be a psychiatric nurse. It is the right thing to do." - CORRECT
ANSWER-ANS: B
The applicant's comment reflects an ethical egoism framework. This framework
promotes the idea that decisions are made based on what is good for the individual and
may not take the needs of others into account.
Without authorization, a nurse administers an extra dose of narcotic tranquilizer to an
agitated client. The nurse's coworker observes this action but does nothing for fear of
repercussion. What is the ethical interpretation of the coworker's lack of involvement?
A. Taking no action is still considered an unethical action by the coworker.
B. Taking no action releases the coworker from ethical responsibility.
C. Taking no action is advised when potential adverse consequences are foreseen.
D. Taking no action is acceptable because the coworker is only a bystander. -
CORRECT ANSWER-ANS: A
The coworker's lack of involvement can be interpreted as an unethical action. The
coworker is experiencing an ethical dilemma in which a decision needs to be made
between two unfavorable alternatives. The coworker has a responsibility to report any
observed unethical actions.
Group therapy is strongly encouraged, but not mandatory, on an inpatient psychiatric
unit. The unit manager's policy is that clients can make a choice about whether or not to
attend group therapy. Which ethical principle does the unit manager's policy preserve?
A. Justice
B. Autonomy
C. Veracity
D. Beneficence - CORRECT ANSWER-ANS: B
The unit manager's policy regarding voluntary client participation in group therapy
preserves the ethical principle of autonomy. The principle of autonomy presumes that
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Exam
Questions With Complete Solution
Graded A+
In response to a student's question regarding choosing a psychiatric specialty, a charge
nurse states, "Mentally ill clients need special care. If I were in that position, I'd want a
caring nurse also." From which ethical framework is the charge nurse operating?
A. Kantianism
B. Christian ethics
C. Ethical egoism
D. Utilitarianism - CORRECT ANSWER-ANS: B
The charge nurse is operating from a Christian ethics framework. The imperative
demand of Christian ethics is to treat others as moral equals by permitting them to act
as we do when they occupy a position similar to ours. Kantianism states that decisions
should be made based on moral law and that actions are bound by a sense of moral
duty. Utilitarianism holds that decisions should be made focusing on the end result
being happiness. Ethical egoism promotes the idea that what is right is good for the
individual.
During a hiring interview, which response by a nursing applicant should indicate that the
applicant operates from an ethical egoism framework?
A. "I would want to be treated in a caring manner if I were mentally ill."
B. "This job will pay the bills, and the workload is light enough for me."
C. "I will be happy caring for the mentally ill. Working in Med/Surg kills my back."
, D. "It is my duty in life to be a psychiatric nurse. It is the right thing to do." - CORRECT
ANSWER-ANS: B
The applicant's comment reflects an ethical egoism framework. This framework
promotes the idea that decisions are made based on what is good for the individual and
may not take the needs of others into account.
Without authorization, a nurse administers an extra dose of narcotic tranquilizer to an
agitated client. The nurse's coworker observes this action but does nothing for fear of
repercussion. What is the ethical interpretation of the coworker's lack of involvement?
A. Taking no action is still considered an unethical action by the coworker.
B. Taking no action releases the coworker from ethical responsibility.
C. Taking no action is advised when potential adverse consequences are foreseen.
D. Taking no action is acceptable because the coworker is only a bystander. -
CORRECT ANSWER-ANS: A
The coworker's lack of involvement can be interpreted as an unethical action. The
coworker is experiencing an ethical dilemma in which a decision needs to be made
between two unfavorable alternatives. The coworker has a responsibility to report any
observed unethical actions.
Group therapy is strongly encouraged, but not mandatory, on an inpatient psychiatric
unit. The unit manager's policy is that clients can make a choice about whether or not to
attend group therapy. Which ethical principle does the unit manager's policy preserve?
A. Justice
B. Autonomy
C. Veracity
D. Beneficence - CORRECT ANSWER-ANS: B
The unit manager's policy regarding voluntary client participation in group therapy
preserves the ethical principle of autonomy. The principle of autonomy presumes that
