TEST BANK
ETHICAL AND LEGAL ISSUES IN CANADIAN NURSING
,Table of contents
ethical and legal issues in canadian nursing 5th edition keatings test bank ............................................. 3
chapter 01: an introduction to the ethics and the law: a perspective for nurses.......................................... 3
chapter 02: ethical theories: their meaning for nursing ....................................................................... 8
chapter 03: guiding ethical decision making: resources for nurses ....................................................... 18
chapter 04: the canadian legal system .........................................................................................27
chapter 05: regulation of the nursing profession ............................................................................ 34
chapter 06: informed consent: rights and obligations ...................................................................... 41
chapter 07: the nurse’s legal accountabilities: professional competence, ............................................... 47
chapter 08: complexity at the end of life: the ethical and legal challenges .............................................. 53
chapter 09: ethical and legal issues related to advancing science and technology.................................... 60
chapter 10: safeguarding patient rights ........................................................................................67
chapter 11: perspectives on the rights of nurses ........................................................................... 74
chapter 12: ethical issues in leadership, the organization, and approaches to the delivery of care ................ 81
,Ethical and legal issues in canadian nursing 5th edition keatings test bank
Chapter 01: an introduction to the ethics and the law: a perspective for nurses
Multiple choice
1. Which of the following mandates that nurses have a basic understanding of the canadian legal system?
a. Provincial and federal nursing bodies
b. The supreme court of canada
c. Provincial nursing labor unions
d. The drug and pharmacies regulation act, 1990
Answer: a
Elaboration
A Correct! Provincial and territorial regulatory bodies, have certain requirements related
to nurses’ knowledge/skill, which includes knowledge of the legal system.
B Incorrect—the supreme court, which is the final court of appeal in canada, is not
involved in the regulation of health care professionals.
C Incorrect—labour unions do not focus on nursing standards and knowledge; rather,
they represent the collective bargaining rights of nurses.
D Incorrect—this act is relevant to nursing in that it regulates the prescribing,
dispensing, and handling of drugs. It does not mandate the knowledge nurses
require about the legal system.
Dif: cognitive level: comprehension
2. Identify one of the reasons why nurses need to have an understanding of ethics.
a. Nurses do not share the same perspectives regarding health care with other health care
professionals.
b. Morality and care are at the heart of nursing practice.
c. Ethics provides a clear answer to nurses regarding the correct course of action.
d. Convincing family members of compassionate courses of action is best done by nurses.
Answer: b
Elaboration
A Incorrect—professional values may be shared across multiple professions, and perspectives
on issues may be similar. When views on an issue differ, then knowledge
Of ethics assists in clarifying and defending one’s position to others.
B Correct! One reason for nurses studying ethics is that morality and care are at the
heart of nursing practice.
C Incorrect—ethical theories can provide a framework for the exploration of the ethical
questions and moral issues faced in health care. These theories guide how morality is
understood within the sphere of nursing practice and the nurse– patient or nurse–client
relationship. Ethical theories and frameworks can
Assist/guide nurses as they consider multiple options to choose the best or the
Least wrong course of action.
D Incorrect—nurses as members of the health care team are in a strong position to
support families. They respect the values and beliefs of clients and families and support
them in decision making regarding the right course of action.
, Dif: cognitive level: synthesis
3. Why is it advantageous for nurses to have knowledge of ethical theories and principles?
a. Ethical theories encourage nurses to critique others’ points of view.
b. Nurses are able to justify and defend their positions on a situation.
c. Ethical theories help nurses explain to the rest of the team why nurses have a greater
understanding of the patient’s perspective.
d. This knowledge allows nurses to convince patients to choose comfort measures only.
Answer: b
Elaboration
A Incorrect—ethics encourages nurses to respect the values of others and assists in
understanding opposing points of view. Ethics offers tools to nurses to respectfully
argue in favour of their positions while respecting the perspectives of others.
B Correct! When views differ, ethical theories help clarify one’s position and make
arguments in support of it. Nurses ensure that all relevant information is shared with the
Team and the client.
C Incorrect—the perspective of all team members is important and is based on the
unique relationships each nurse has with the client.
D Incorrect—this approach is paternalistic. Nurses and the health care team, while respecting a
person’s autonomy, support him or her in making decisions about
What is best in a particular context. This includes ensuring that patients are aware of all the
options available to them.
Dif: cognitive level: comprehension
4. Why must nurses be familiar with the legal system?
a. Some nursing actions are governed by the law.
b. Nurses’ decisions may not be supported by the law.
c. Nurses are sometimes at risk for litigation.
d. All are correct.
Answer: d
Elaboration
A Incorrect—reserved or controlled acts and the administration of narcotics are two
examples of nursing actions governed by the law. A nurse may think an
Action is ―ethical,‖ but it may not be legal. Nurses’ decisions sometimes have untoward
Consequences, and errors or omissions may lead to negligence claims.
B Incorrect—reserved or controlled acts and the administration of narcotics are two
examples of nursing actions governed by the law. A nurse may think an action is
―ethical,‖ but it may not be legal. Nurses’ decisions sometimes have
Untoward consequences, and errors or omissions may lead to negligence claims.
ETHICAL AND LEGAL ISSUES IN CANADIAN NURSING
,Table of contents
ethical and legal issues in canadian nursing 5th edition keatings test bank ............................................. 3
chapter 01: an introduction to the ethics and the law: a perspective for nurses.......................................... 3
chapter 02: ethical theories: their meaning for nursing ....................................................................... 8
chapter 03: guiding ethical decision making: resources for nurses ....................................................... 18
chapter 04: the canadian legal system .........................................................................................27
chapter 05: regulation of the nursing profession ............................................................................ 34
chapter 06: informed consent: rights and obligations ...................................................................... 41
chapter 07: the nurse’s legal accountabilities: professional competence, ............................................... 47
chapter 08: complexity at the end of life: the ethical and legal challenges .............................................. 53
chapter 09: ethical and legal issues related to advancing science and technology.................................... 60
chapter 10: safeguarding patient rights ........................................................................................67
chapter 11: perspectives on the rights of nurses ........................................................................... 74
chapter 12: ethical issues in leadership, the organization, and approaches to the delivery of care ................ 81
,Ethical and legal issues in canadian nursing 5th edition keatings test bank
Chapter 01: an introduction to the ethics and the law: a perspective for nurses
Multiple choice
1. Which of the following mandates that nurses have a basic understanding of the canadian legal system?
a. Provincial and federal nursing bodies
b. The supreme court of canada
c. Provincial nursing labor unions
d. The drug and pharmacies regulation act, 1990
Answer: a
Elaboration
A Correct! Provincial and territorial regulatory bodies, have certain requirements related
to nurses’ knowledge/skill, which includes knowledge of the legal system.
B Incorrect—the supreme court, which is the final court of appeal in canada, is not
involved in the regulation of health care professionals.
C Incorrect—labour unions do not focus on nursing standards and knowledge; rather,
they represent the collective bargaining rights of nurses.
D Incorrect—this act is relevant to nursing in that it regulates the prescribing,
dispensing, and handling of drugs. It does not mandate the knowledge nurses
require about the legal system.
Dif: cognitive level: comprehension
2. Identify one of the reasons why nurses need to have an understanding of ethics.
a. Nurses do not share the same perspectives regarding health care with other health care
professionals.
b. Morality and care are at the heart of nursing practice.
c. Ethics provides a clear answer to nurses regarding the correct course of action.
d. Convincing family members of compassionate courses of action is best done by nurses.
Answer: b
Elaboration
A Incorrect—professional values may be shared across multiple professions, and perspectives
on issues may be similar. When views on an issue differ, then knowledge
Of ethics assists in clarifying and defending one’s position to others.
B Correct! One reason for nurses studying ethics is that morality and care are at the
heart of nursing practice.
C Incorrect—ethical theories can provide a framework for the exploration of the ethical
questions and moral issues faced in health care. These theories guide how morality is
understood within the sphere of nursing practice and the nurse– patient or nurse–client
relationship. Ethical theories and frameworks can
Assist/guide nurses as they consider multiple options to choose the best or the
Least wrong course of action.
D Incorrect—nurses as members of the health care team are in a strong position to
support families. They respect the values and beliefs of clients and families and support
them in decision making regarding the right course of action.
, Dif: cognitive level: synthesis
3. Why is it advantageous for nurses to have knowledge of ethical theories and principles?
a. Ethical theories encourage nurses to critique others’ points of view.
b. Nurses are able to justify and defend their positions on a situation.
c. Ethical theories help nurses explain to the rest of the team why nurses have a greater
understanding of the patient’s perspective.
d. This knowledge allows nurses to convince patients to choose comfort measures only.
Answer: b
Elaboration
A Incorrect—ethics encourages nurses to respect the values of others and assists in
understanding opposing points of view. Ethics offers tools to nurses to respectfully
argue in favour of their positions while respecting the perspectives of others.
B Correct! When views differ, ethical theories help clarify one’s position and make
arguments in support of it. Nurses ensure that all relevant information is shared with the
Team and the client.
C Incorrect—the perspective of all team members is important and is based on the
unique relationships each nurse has with the client.
D Incorrect—this approach is paternalistic. Nurses and the health care team, while respecting a
person’s autonomy, support him or her in making decisions about
What is best in a particular context. This includes ensuring that patients are aware of all the
options available to them.
Dif: cognitive level: comprehension
4. Why must nurses be familiar with the legal system?
a. Some nursing actions are governed by the law.
b. Nurses’ decisions may not be supported by the law.
c. Nurses are sometimes at risk for litigation.
d. All are correct.
Answer: d
Elaboration
A Incorrect—reserved or controlled acts and the administration of narcotics are two
examples of nursing actions governed by the law. A nurse may think an
Action is ―ethical,‖ but it may not be legal. Nurses’ decisions sometimes have untoward
Consequences, and errors or omissions may lead to negligence claims.
B Incorrect—reserved or controlled acts and the administration of narcotics are two
examples of nursing actions governed by the law. A nurse may think an action is
―ethical,‖ but it may not be legal. Nurses’ decisions sometimes have
Untoward consequences, and errors or omissions may lead to negligence claims.
