NCLEX-RN Practice Questions
A client asks why a diagnostic test has been ordered and the nurse replies, "I'm
unsure but will find out for you." When the nurse later returns and provides an
explanation, the nurse is acting under which principle?
1. Nonmaleficence
2. Veracity
3. Beneficence
4. Fidelity - ANS - Answer: 4
Rationale: Fidelity means being faithful to agreements and promises. This nurse
is acting on the client's behalf to obtain needed information and report it back to
the client. Nonmaleficence is the duty to do no harm. Veracity refers to telling the
truth for example, not lying to a client about a serious prognosis. Beneficence
means doing good, such as by implementing actions (e.g. keeping a salt shaker
out of sight) that benefit a client (heart condition requiring sodium-restricted
diet).
Cognitive Level: Understanding
Client Need: Management of Care
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
Content Area: Fundamentals
Strategy: Use the process of elimination. The correct answer is the one that
matches the description in the stem; that is, the nurse made a promise to a client
and kept it, which constitutes fidelity.
\A client is experiencing respiratory distress. Respirations are 32 breaths/min and
shallow. The client is positioned in an orthopneic position, with a heart rate of
118/min and a blood pressure of 90/40 mmHg. The client is pale and confused.
Which task should the nurse delegate to the charge nurse?
1. Head-to-toe assessment
2. Placement of a second IV site
3. Application of oxygen
4. Overhead page the respiratory therapist (RT) - ANS - Answer:
Rationale:
Cognitive Level:
Client Need:
Integrated Process:
Content Area:
, Strategy:
\A client is referred to a surgeon by the general practitioner. After meeting the
surgeon, the client decides to find a different surgeon to continue treatment. The
nurse supports the client's action, utilizing which ethical principle?
1. Beneficence
2. Veracity
3. Autonomy
4. Privacy - ANS - Answer: 3
Rationale: Autonomy is the right of individuals to take action for themselves.
Beneficence is an ethical principle to do good and applies when the nurse has a
city to help others by doing what is best for them. Veracity refers to truthfulness.
Privacy is the nondisclosure of information by the health care team.
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Management of Care
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
Content Area: Fundamentals
Strategy: The core issue of the question is the ability to interpret which ethical
principle is operating in a specific situation. Eliminate beneficence and veracity
next because they focus on the obligation of the nurse rather than on a right of
the client.
\A client with cancer has decided to discontinue further treatment. Although the
nurse would like the client to continue treatment, the nurse recognizes the client
is competent and supports the client's decision using which ethical principle?
1. Justice
2. Fidelity
3. Autonomy
4. Confidentiality - ANS - Answer: 3
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the right make one's own decisions, which is the
principle supported in this situation. Justice refers to fairness. Fidelity refers to
trust and loyalty. Confidentiality refers to the right to privacy of personal health
information.
Cognitive Level: Understanding
Client Need: Management of Care
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
Content Area: Fundamentals
Strategy: Use the process of elimination. The wording of the question indicates
that only one option is correct and that you need to select the principle that is
consistent with the circumstances in the question.
A client asks why a diagnostic test has been ordered and the nurse replies, "I'm
unsure but will find out for you." When the nurse later returns and provides an
explanation, the nurse is acting under which principle?
1. Nonmaleficence
2. Veracity
3. Beneficence
4. Fidelity - ANS - Answer: 4
Rationale: Fidelity means being faithful to agreements and promises. This nurse
is acting on the client's behalf to obtain needed information and report it back to
the client. Nonmaleficence is the duty to do no harm. Veracity refers to telling the
truth for example, not lying to a client about a serious prognosis. Beneficence
means doing good, such as by implementing actions (e.g. keeping a salt shaker
out of sight) that benefit a client (heart condition requiring sodium-restricted
diet).
Cognitive Level: Understanding
Client Need: Management of Care
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
Content Area: Fundamentals
Strategy: Use the process of elimination. The correct answer is the one that
matches the description in the stem; that is, the nurse made a promise to a client
and kept it, which constitutes fidelity.
\A client is experiencing respiratory distress. Respirations are 32 breaths/min and
shallow. The client is positioned in an orthopneic position, with a heart rate of
118/min and a blood pressure of 90/40 mmHg. The client is pale and confused.
Which task should the nurse delegate to the charge nurse?
1. Head-to-toe assessment
2. Placement of a second IV site
3. Application of oxygen
4. Overhead page the respiratory therapist (RT) - ANS - Answer:
Rationale:
Cognitive Level:
Client Need:
Integrated Process:
Content Area:
, Strategy:
\A client is referred to a surgeon by the general practitioner. After meeting the
surgeon, the client decides to find a different surgeon to continue treatment. The
nurse supports the client's action, utilizing which ethical principle?
1. Beneficence
2. Veracity
3. Autonomy
4. Privacy - ANS - Answer: 3
Rationale: Autonomy is the right of individuals to take action for themselves.
Beneficence is an ethical principle to do good and applies when the nurse has a
city to help others by doing what is best for them. Veracity refers to truthfulness.
Privacy is the nondisclosure of information by the health care team.
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Management of Care
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
Content Area: Fundamentals
Strategy: The core issue of the question is the ability to interpret which ethical
principle is operating in a specific situation. Eliminate beneficence and veracity
next because they focus on the obligation of the nurse rather than on a right of
the client.
\A client with cancer has decided to discontinue further treatment. Although the
nurse would like the client to continue treatment, the nurse recognizes the client
is competent and supports the client's decision using which ethical principle?
1. Justice
2. Fidelity
3. Autonomy
4. Confidentiality - ANS - Answer: 3
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the right make one's own decisions, which is the
principle supported in this situation. Justice refers to fairness. Fidelity refers to
trust and loyalty. Confidentiality refers to the right to privacy of personal health
information.
Cognitive Level: Understanding
Client Need: Management of Care
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
Content Area: Fundamentals
Strategy: Use the process of elimination. The wording of the question indicates
that only one option is correct and that you need to select the principle that is
consistent with the circumstances in the question.
