Ethical and Legal Considerations
Questions and Answers | Latest Version
| 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What is the ethical principle of doing no harm called?
✔✔ Nonmaleficence
What should a nurse do first if they suspect a coworker is impaired on the job?
✔✔ Report the suspicion to the supervisor or nurse manager
What law protects patient confidentiality in healthcare settings?
✔✔ HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
What document allows a patient to state their wishes for end-of-life care?
✔✔ Advance directive
Who is responsible for obtaining informed consent before a procedure?
✔✔ The provider performing the procedure
1
,What is the nurse’s role in informed consent?
✔✔ Witness the client’s signature and ensure the client understands
What should a nurse do if a client refuses treatment?
✔✔ Respect the decision and notify the provider
What is the act of keeping a promise to a patient called in ethical terms?
✔✔ Fidelity
When a nurse tells the truth to a patient, what ethical principle is being followed?
✔✔ Veracity
What is the nurse's priority if a client wants to leave the hospital against medical advice?
✔✔ Educate the client on risks and notify the healthcare provider
What legal term applies when a nurse provides care they are not licensed to perform?
✔✔ Practicing outside the scope of practice
2
, What should a nurse do if they witness another nurse verbally abusing a patient?
✔✔ Report the incident to the supervisor or appropriate authority
What is the ethical obligation of a nurse who sees a medication error?
✔✔ Report the error immediately and ensure patient safety
What is the term for failing to provide care that a reasonable nurse would offer in a similar
situation?
✔✔ Negligence
What legal protection covers nurses who provide emergency care in good faith outside the
hospital?
✔✔ Good Samaritan Law
What action violates a patient’s legal right to privacy?
✔✔ Sharing patient information without consent
What must be done if a patient lacks capacity and there’s no advance directive?
3
Questions and Answers | Latest Version
| 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What is the ethical principle of doing no harm called?
✔✔ Nonmaleficence
What should a nurse do first if they suspect a coworker is impaired on the job?
✔✔ Report the suspicion to the supervisor or nurse manager
What law protects patient confidentiality in healthcare settings?
✔✔ HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
What document allows a patient to state their wishes for end-of-life care?
✔✔ Advance directive
Who is responsible for obtaining informed consent before a procedure?
✔✔ The provider performing the procedure
1
,What is the nurse’s role in informed consent?
✔✔ Witness the client’s signature and ensure the client understands
What should a nurse do if a client refuses treatment?
✔✔ Respect the decision and notify the provider
What is the act of keeping a promise to a patient called in ethical terms?
✔✔ Fidelity
When a nurse tells the truth to a patient, what ethical principle is being followed?
✔✔ Veracity
What is the nurse's priority if a client wants to leave the hospital against medical advice?
✔✔ Educate the client on risks and notify the healthcare provider
What legal term applies when a nurse provides care they are not licensed to perform?
✔✔ Practicing outside the scope of practice
2
, What should a nurse do if they witness another nurse verbally abusing a patient?
✔✔ Report the incident to the supervisor or appropriate authority
What is the ethical obligation of a nurse who sees a medication error?
✔✔ Report the error immediately and ensure patient safety
What is the term for failing to provide care that a reasonable nurse would offer in a similar
situation?
✔✔ Negligence
What legal protection covers nurses who provide emergency care in good faith outside the
hospital?
✔✔ Good Samaritan Law
What action violates a patient’s legal right to privacy?
✔✔ Sharing patient information without consent
What must be done if a patient lacks capacity and there’s no advance directive?
3
