Chapter 11: Perspectives on the Rights of Nurses
Keatings: Ethical & Legal Issues in Canadian Nursing, 4th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which of the following is an example of a conscientious objection?
a.
A nurse refuses to care for a homosexual patient.
b.
A nurse refuses to care for a patient with cocaine addiction.
c.
A nurse refuses to assist in an abortion.
d.
A nurse refuses to care for patients of the opposite sex.
ANS: C
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A Incorrect—This is not an example of a conscientious objection. Refusing to care
for a patient on the basis of sexual orientation would be considered
discrimination and contradict the ethical principles of beneficence and
nonmaleficence and of the nurse’s professional duties and responsibilities.
B Incorrect—This is not an example of a conscientious objection. Refusing to care
for a patient on the basis of the patient’s behaviour would contradict the ethical
principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence and of the nurse’s professional
duties and responsibilities.
C Correct! This would be considered a conscientious objection. As long as the
procedure is not an emergency, the nurse does not have to participate in a
procedure or provide care that the nurse finds objectionable on moral or religious
grounds. To avoid such situatioIns, it isimportant that the nurse makes his or her
moral or religious positionknownto the employer in advance. However, the
nurse cannot refuse to care for a patient who has had an abortion.
D Incorrect—This is not an example of a conscientious objection. Refusing to care
for a patient on the basis of gender would be considered discrimination and
contradict the ethical principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence and of the
nurse’s professional duties and responsibilities.
DIF: Cognitive level: Synthesis
2. Is it acceptable for a nurse to refuse to care for a patient with a highly contagious illness, such
as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)?
a.
It is acceptable because the nurse might become infected and could then pass the
infection on to her family.
b.
It is not acceptable because the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Code of
Ethics for Registered Nurses states that in a natural or human-made disaster, nurses
have a duty to provide care to all patients.
c.
It is acceptable if appropriate safety precautions are not in place.
d.
It is not acceptable because the principle of justice dictates that a patient with an
infectious disease deserves the same care as everyone else.
ANS: C
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,
Keatings: Ethical & Legal Issues in Canadian Nursing, 4th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which of the following is an example of a conscientious objection?
a.
A nurse refuses to care for a homosexual patient.
b.
A nurse refuses to care for a patient with cocaine addiction.
c.
A nurse refuses to assist in an abortion.
d.
A nurse refuses to care for patients of the opposite sex.
ANS: C
Feedback
A Incorrect—This is not an example of a conscientious objection. Refusing to care
for a patient on the basis of sexual orientation would be considered
discrimination and contradict the ethical principles of beneficence and
nonmaleficence and of the nurse’s professional duties and responsibilities.
B Incorrect—This is not an example of a conscientious objection. Refusing to care
for a patient on the basis of the patient’s behaviour would contradict the ethical
principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence and of the nurse’s professional
duties and responsibilities.
C Correct! This would be considered a conscientious objection. As long as the
procedure is not an emergency, the nurse does not have to participate in a
procedure or provide care that the nurse finds objectionable on moral or religious
grounds. To avoid such situatioIns, it isimportant that the nurse makes his or her
moral or religious positionknownto the employer in advance. However, the
nurse cannot refuse to care for a patient who has had an abortion.
D Incorrect—This is not an example of a conscientious objection. Refusing to care
for a patient on the basis of gender would be considered discrimination and
contradict the ethical principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence and of the
nurse’s professional duties and responsibilities.
DIF: Cognitive level: Synthesis
2. Is it acceptable for a nurse to refuse to care for a patient with a highly contagious illness, such
as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)?
a.
It is acceptable because the nurse might become infected and could then pass the
infection on to her family.
b.
It is not acceptable because the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Code of
Ethics for Registered Nurses states that in a natural or human-made disaster, nurses
have a duty to provide care to all patients.
c.
It is acceptable if appropriate safety precautions are not in place.
d.
It is not acceptable because the principle of justice dictates that a patient with an
infectious disease deserves the same care as everyone else.
ANS: C
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