Nursing Ethics CE Exam 2025–2026 | 150+ RN
Continuing Education Ethics Practice Questions with
Verified Answers & In-Depth Rationales | Mandatory
Ethics CE for License Renewal Covering Patient Rights,
Confidentiality, Informed Consent, Professional
Boundaries, Legal Accountability & Ethical Decision-
Making
Question 1:
What is the primary principle of medical ethics that emphasizes doing no harm?
• A) Autonomy
• B) Beneficence
• C) Non-maleficence
• D) Justice
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Non-maleficence
Rationale: Non-maleficence is the ethical principle that requires healthcare
professionals to avoid causing harm to patients, fundamental for ensuring patient
safety.
Question 2:
In the context of nursing ethics, which concept refers to the patient's right to make
informed decisions about their own care?
• A) Justice
• B) Autonomy
• C) Fidelity
• D) Beneficence
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy respects individuals' rights to make decisions about their lives
and bodies, especially in healthcare.
Question 3:
What is the ethical duty of nurses to keep patient information private and confidential?
• A) Discretion
• B) Confidentiality
• C) Fidelity
, • D) Honesty
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Confidentiality
Rationale: Confidentiality protects private patient information, fostering trust and
encouraging open communication.
Question 4:
Which ethical principle involves distributing healthcare resources fairly?
• A) Justice
• B) Beneficence
• C) Non-maleficence
• D) Autonomy
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Justice
Rationale: Justice in healthcare ethics ensures fair distribution of resources and
equitable access to care.
Question 5:
What does beneficence require of healthcare providers?
• A) To impose treatment regardless of patient choice
• B) To act in the best interest of the patient
• C) To maintain neutrality
• D) To prioritize institutional policies
CORRECT ANSWER: B) To act in the best interest of the patient
Rationale: Beneficence is the ethical principle that obliges healthcare providers to take
actions that serve the best interests of patients.
Question 6:
Which of the following is an example of an ethical issue in nursing?
• A) Scheduling shifts
• B) Refusing treatment based on a patient's financial status
• C) Ordering supplies
• D) Filling out administrative forms
,CORRECT ANSWER: B) Refusing treatment based on a patient's financial status
Rationale: This presents an ethical issue, as it raises questions about justice and equal
access to care.
Question 7:
What principle requires nurses to keep their promises to patients?
• A) Autonomy
• B) Integrity
• C) Fidelity
• D) Beneficence
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Fidelity
Rationale: Fidelity refers to the ethical obligation to be loyal and keep commitments
made to patients.
Question 8:
Which of the following is a violation of patient autonomy?
• A) Providing clear information about treatment options
• B) Forcing a patient to undergo surgery against their will
• C) Respecting a patient's decision to refuse treatment
• D) Encouraging a patient to ask questions
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Forcing a patient to undergo surgery against their will
Rationale: This act violates the principle of autonomy, as it disregards the patient's right
to make informed choices about their own care.
Question 9:
In healthcare settings, ethical dilemmas often arise when balancing which two
principles?
• A) Beneficence and non-maleficence
• B) Autonomy and fidelity
• C) Justice and autonomy
• D) Integrity and non-maleficence
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Beneficence and non-maleficence
, Rationale: Ethical dilemmas in healthcare frequently involve conflicts between
promoting patient welfare (beneficence) and avoiding harm (non-maleficence).
Question 10:
What is the primary ethical concern when conducting research involving human
subjects?
• A) Cost efficiency
• B) Patient recruitment
• C) Informed consent
• D) Data analysis
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Informed consent
Rationale: Obtaining informed consent is a fundamental ethical requirement to ensure
that participants understand the research and voluntarily agree to participate.
Questions 11-40:
I'll continue to add more questions to reach the desired total of 40. Here are the
remaining questions:
Question 11:
What does the principle of veracity require healthcare professionals to do?
• A) Act in the patient's best interest
• B) Be truthful with patients
• C) Keep patient information confidential
• D) Follow organizational policies
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Be truthful with patients
Rationale: Veracity emphasizes the importance of honesty in all patient interactions.
Question 12:
Which ethical principle is violated when a patient is treated differently based on their
socioeconomic status?
• A) Autonomy
• B) Non-maleficence
Continuing Education Ethics Practice Questions with
Verified Answers & In-Depth Rationales | Mandatory
Ethics CE for License Renewal Covering Patient Rights,
Confidentiality, Informed Consent, Professional
Boundaries, Legal Accountability & Ethical Decision-
Making
Question 1:
What is the primary principle of medical ethics that emphasizes doing no harm?
• A) Autonomy
• B) Beneficence
• C) Non-maleficence
• D) Justice
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Non-maleficence
Rationale: Non-maleficence is the ethical principle that requires healthcare
professionals to avoid causing harm to patients, fundamental for ensuring patient
safety.
Question 2:
In the context of nursing ethics, which concept refers to the patient's right to make
informed decisions about their own care?
• A) Justice
• B) Autonomy
• C) Fidelity
• D) Beneficence
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy respects individuals' rights to make decisions about their lives
and bodies, especially in healthcare.
Question 3:
What is the ethical duty of nurses to keep patient information private and confidential?
• A) Discretion
• B) Confidentiality
• C) Fidelity
, • D) Honesty
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Confidentiality
Rationale: Confidentiality protects private patient information, fostering trust and
encouraging open communication.
Question 4:
Which ethical principle involves distributing healthcare resources fairly?
• A) Justice
• B) Beneficence
• C) Non-maleficence
• D) Autonomy
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Justice
Rationale: Justice in healthcare ethics ensures fair distribution of resources and
equitable access to care.
Question 5:
What does beneficence require of healthcare providers?
• A) To impose treatment regardless of patient choice
• B) To act in the best interest of the patient
• C) To maintain neutrality
• D) To prioritize institutional policies
CORRECT ANSWER: B) To act in the best interest of the patient
Rationale: Beneficence is the ethical principle that obliges healthcare providers to take
actions that serve the best interests of patients.
Question 6:
Which of the following is an example of an ethical issue in nursing?
• A) Scheduling shifts
• B) Refusing treatment based on a patient's financial status
• C) Ordering supplies
• D) Filling out administrative forms
,CORRECT ANSWER: B) Refusing treatment based on a patient's financial status
Rationale: This presents an ethical issue, as it raises questions about justice and equal
access to care.
Question 7:
What principle requires nurses to keep their promises to patients?
• A) Autonomy
• B) Integrity
• C) Fidelity
• D) Beneficence
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Fidelity
Rationale: Fidelity refers to the ethical obligation to be loyal and keep commitments
made to patients.
Question 8:
Which of the following is a violation of patient autonomy?
• A) Providing clear information about treatment options
• B) Forcing a patient to undergo surgery against their will
• C) Respecting a patient's decision to refuse treatment
• D) Encouraging a patient to ask questions
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Forcing a patient to undergo surgery against their will
Rationale: This act violates the principle of autonomy, as it disregards the patient's right
to make informed choices about their own care.
Question 9:
In healthcare settings, ethical dilemmas often arise when balancing which two
principles?
• A) Beneficence and non-maleficence
• B) Autonomy and fidelity
• C) Justice and autonomy
• D) Integrity and non-maleficence
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Beneficence and non-maleficence
, Rationale: Ethical dilemmas in healthcare frequently involve conflicts between
promoting patient welfare (beneficence) and avoiding harm (non-maleficence).
Question 10:
What is the primary ethical concern when conducting research involving human
subjects?
• A) Cost efficiency
• B) Patient recruitment
• C) Informed consent
• D) Data analysis
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Informed consent
Rationale: Obtaining informed consent is a fundamental ethical requirement to ensure
that participants understand the research and voluntarily agree to participate.
Questions 11-40:
I'll continue to add more questions to reach the desired total of 40. Here are the
remaining questions:
Question 11:
What does the principle of veracity require healthcare professionals to do?
• A) Act in the patient's best interest
• B) Be truthful with patients
• C) Keep patient information confidential
• D) Follow organizational policies
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Be truthful with patients
Rationale: Veracity emphasizes the importance of honesty in all patient interactions.
Question 12:
Which ethical principle is violated when a patient is treated differently based on their
socioeconomic status?
• A) Autonomy
• B) Non-maleficence
