ATI Legal and Ethical Issues Questions
and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026
| Correct & Verified
What is the nurse’s legal responsibility if a patient refuses medication?
✔✔The nurse must inform the healthcare provider, document the refusal, and educate the patient
on the risks and benefits.
Define informed consent and who is responsible for obtaining it.
✔✔Informed consent is the patient’s voluntary agreement to a procedure after being informed of
risks, benefits, and alternatives. The healthcare provider performing the procedure is responsible
for obtaining it.
What is the ethical principle of autonomy?
✔✔Autonomy means respecting a patient’s right to make their own decisions about their
healthcare.
How should a nurse respond if asked to perform a task outside their scope of practice?
✔✔The nurse should refuse, explain their scope limits, and notify the supervisor.
1
, What is the purpose of an advance directive?
✔✔An advance directive outlines a patient’s wishes regarding medical treatment if they become
unable to communicate decisions.
Explain the difference between negligence and malpractice.
✔✔Negligence is failing to provide the standard of care resulting in harm. Malpractice is
professional negligence by a licensed professional causing injury.
What steps should a nurse take if they witness unsafe practices by a coworker?
✔✔The nurse should report the unsafe practice to a supervisor or appropriate authority promptly.
When can a nurse legally breach patient confidentiality?
✔✔When there is a mandatory reporting requirement, such as abuse, or if the patient poses a
threat to themselves or others.
What does the ethical principle of beneficence require of a nurse?
✔✔To act in the best interest of the patient by promoting good and preventing harm.
2
and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026
| Correct & Verified
What is the nurse’s legal responsibility if a patient refuses medication?
✔✔The nurse must inform the healthcare provider, document the refusal, and educate the patient
on the risks and benefits.
Define informed consent and who is responsible for obtaining it.
✔✔Informed consent is the patient’s voluntary agreement to a procedure after being informed of
risks, benefits, and alternatives. The healthcare provider performing the procedure is responsible
for obtaining it.
What is the ethical principle of autonomy?
✔✔Autonomy means respecting a patient’s right to make their own decisions about their
healthcare.
How should a nurse respond if asked to perform a task outside their scope of practice?
✔✔The nurse should refuse, explain their scope limits, and notify the supervisor.
1
, What is the purpose of an advance directive?
✔✔An advance directive outlines a patient’s wishes regarding medical treatment if they become
unable to communicate decisions.
Explain the difference between negligence and malpractice.
✔✔Negligence is failing to provide the standard of care resulting in harm. Malpractice is
professional negligence by a licensed professional causing injury.
What steps should a nurse take if they witness unsafe practices by a coworker?
✔✔The nurse should report the unsafe practice to a supervisor or appropriate authority promptly.
When can a nurse legally breach patient confidentiality?
✔✔When there is a mandatory reporting requirement, such as abuse, or if the patient poses a
threat to themselves or others.
What does the ethical principle of beneficence require of a nurse?
✔✔To act in the best interest of the patient by promoting good and preventing harm.
2
