PCC Exam 4, 2026 – Law & Ethics Study and Practice
Material
what is professional identity - correct answer ✔✔ a sense of oneself, and in relation to others,
that is influenced by characteristics, norms, and values of the nursing discipline, resulting in an
individual thinking, acting, and feeling like a nurse
professional identity is a subset of ________________- - correct answer ✔✔ personal identity
describe ethics (a related concept to professional identity) - correct answer ✔✔ study of a
system of moral principles and standards OR the process of using them to decide your conduct
and actions
define the difference between morals and ethics - correct answer ✔✔ morals- private, personal
or group standards of what is good or bad, right or wrong but in contracts ethics answers the
question "what should i do in a given situation?"
tell me the five subcategories/ attributes to professional identity - correct answer ✔✔ 1) doing
2-being
3-acting
4-flourishing
5-changing identities
describe the attribute of professional idenity: doing - correct answer ✔✔ sociological
perspective of professional identity, includes ethical codes and standards (want to master skills)
-during the initial stages of any new role, there is a strong focus on the external expectations
and tasks- "the doing"
,describe of attribute of professional identity: being - correct answer ✔✔ psychological view
about decisions and actions we make
-doing the right thing even when no one is looking
describe the attribute of professional identity: acting ethically - correct answer ✔✔ doing the
right thing (such as not accepting a date from a patient), following HIPPA, acting according to
principles
describe of attribute of professional identity: flourishing - correct answer ✔✔ necessary for
understanding the doing and being (moving past initial stage of development)
whats the final step in professional identitty - correct answer ✔✔ changing identities: you
change with experience and become multiple things such as an educator, nurse, advocate
describe the stairstep model of professional transformation for nursing - correct answer ✔✔ we
move up the stairs (called flourishing) when we gain experience and meet expectations and
duties, which puts us at the ideal step.
we move down the stairs (called slip) which requires us to reflect on actions and consequences.
this is a never ending cycle of going up and down stairs
describe integrity - correct answer ✔✔ do what we are supposed to do consistently and with
purpose
-ex: coming back with pain meds in 30 mins if we said we would
describe compassion - correct answer ✔✔ feeling what another is feeling and responding with
the intent to help
-do NOT confuse with sympathy or empathy
-we dont say (i feel sorry for you or i know what you are going through. we say i am sorry for the
situation)
,-ex: comforting someone who had family death
describe courage - correct answer ✔✔ to effect a change or to stand in opposition for moral
rightness
-can be physical (physically blocking patient from family) or morally right
ex: speaking out about bullying occuring on the nursing unit
describe humility - correct answer ✔✔ dont take overstated amount of blame or credit for
situation. realistic view of actions/circumstances of others
ex: being nonjudgmental as staff deals with unit crisis
describe advocacy - correct answer ✔✔ the line of defense for patients
-help patient obtain what they feel is in their best interest
-ex: working to get prescriptions filled before a homeless person leaves the hospital
describe human flourishing - correct answer ✔✔ our duty to foster normative views/outcomes
to lead to positive outcomes
-ex: create encouraging environment for patient
define morals
define moral behavior - correct answer ✔✔ morals: private, personal, or groups standards of
right and wrong. learned from external influences starting in childhood
moral behavior: actions consistent with customs, traditions (ex: religious belief), reflects
personal moral beliefs
describe ethics - correct answer ✔✔ process of using moral standards and beliefs to decide
what action to take
-systemic study of right and wrong conduct
, -formal process for making consistent moral decisions
-ex: ethics committe involved in jehovas disapproval of blood transfusion
a nurse finds it is morally wrong to drive under the influence. what would his ethics tell him he
needs to do for the patient though? - correct answer ✔✔ he would provide care to his injuries
received from the car accident
whats the difference between morals and ethics - correct answer ✔✔ ethics refer to rules
provided by an external source, e.g., codes of conduct in workplaces or principles in religions.
Morals refer to an individual's own principles regarding right and wrong. (this is best example)
descirbe moral distress for a nurse - correct answer ✔✔ when nurse cant act as moral agent
(inability to carry out moral decisions)
ex: "i cant do it because its against families wishes"
arises when the nurse knows the morally correct action and feels responsible for the pt, but
institutional or other restraints make it impossible to follow through with the action
list the two perceived constraints that come with moral distress - correct answer ✔✔ 1- internal
perceived constraint: not enough knowledge to make decision, or inability to socialize/form
relationships
-ex: nursing students are socialized to follow orders, not to question
2-external perceived constraint: the law (threat of lawsuit) or other providers such as other
nurses, manager. the law says it is illegal to drive faster than the speed limit, but the child is
bledding out profusely thus he drives 100 mphs. its an external constraint, but ethically we want
him to get to the hospital as quick as possible.
describe moral outrage
how do we respond to moral outrage - correct answer ✔✔ belief that others are acting
immorally
-feel powerless: cant prevent a "wrong"
Material
what is professional identity - correct answer ✔✔ a sense of oneself, and in relation to others,
that is influenced by characteristics, norms, and values of the nursing discipline, resulting in an
individual thinking, acting, and feeling like a nurse
professional identity is a subset of ________________- - correct answer ✔✔ personal identity
describe ethics (a related concept to professional identity) - correct answer ✔✔ study of a
system of moral principles and standards OR the process of using them to decide your conduct
and actions
define the difference between morals and ethics - correct answer ✔✔ morals- private, personal
or group standards of what is good or bad, right or wrong but in contracts ethics answers the
question "what should i do in a given situation?"
tell me the five subcategories/ attributes to professional identity - correct answer ✔✔ 1) doing
2-being
3-acting
4-flourishing
5-changing identities
describe the attribute of professional idenity: doing - correct answer ✔✔ sociological
perspective of professional identity, includes ethical codes and standards (want to master skills)
-during the initial stages of any new role, there is a strong focus on the external expectations
and tasks- "the doing"
,describe of attribute of professional identity: being - correct answer ✔✔ psychological view
about decisions and actions we make
-doing the right thing even when no one is looking
describe the attribute of professional identity: acting ethically - correct answer ✔✔ doing the
right thing (such as not accepting a date from a patient), following HIPPA, acting according to
principles
describe of attribute of professional identity: flourishing - correct answer ✔✔ necessary for
understanding the doing and being (moving past initial stage of development)
whats the final step in professional identitty - correct answer ✔✔ changing identities: you
change with experience and become multiple things such as an educator, nurse, advocate
describe the stairstep model of professional transformation for nursing - correct answer ✔✔ we
move up the stairs (called flourishing) when we gain experience and meet expectations and
duties, which puts us at the ideal step.
we move down the stairs (called slip) which requires us to reflect on actions and consequences.
this is a never ending cycle of going up and down stairs
describe integrity - correct answer ✔✔ do what we are supposed to do consistently and with
purpose
-ex: coming back with pain meds in 30 mins if we said we would
describe compassion - correct answer ✔✔ feeling what another is feeling and responding with
the intent to help
-do NOT confuse with sympathy or empathy
-we dont say (i feel sorry for you or i know what you are going through. we say i am sorry for the
situation)
,-ex: comforting someone who had family death
describe courage - correct answer ✔✔ to effect a change or to stand in opposition for moral
rightness
-can be physical (physically blocking patient from family) or morally right
ex: speaking out about bullying occuring on the nursing unit
describe humility - correct answer ✔✔ dont take overstated amount of blame or credit for
situation. realistic view of actions/circumstances of others
ex: being nonjudgmental as staff deals with unit crisis
describe advocacy - correct answer ✔✔ the line of defense for patients
-help patient obtain what they feel is in their best interest
-ex: working to get prescriptions filled before a homeless person leaves the hospital
describe human flourishing - correct answer ✔✔ our duty to foster normative views/outcomes
to lead to positive outcomes
-ex: create encouraging environment for patient
define morals
define moral behavior - correct answer ✔✔ morals: private, personal, or groups standards of
right and wrong. learned from external influences starting in childhood
moral behavior: actions consistent with customs, traditions (ex: religious belief), reflects
personal moral beliefs
describe ethics - correct answer ✔✔ process of using moral standards and beliefs to decide
what action to take
-systemic study of right and wrong conduct
, -formal process for making consistent moral decisions
-ex: ethics committe involved in jehovas disapproval of blood transfusion
a nurse finds it is morally wrong to drive under the influence. what would his ethics tell him he
needs to do for the patient though? - correct answer ✔✔ he would provide care to his injuries
received from the car accident
whats the difference between morals and ethics - correct answer ✔✔ ethics refer to rules
provided by an external source, e.g., codes of conduct in workplaces or principles in religions.
Morals refer to an individual's own principles regarding right and wrong. (this is best example)
descirbe moral distress for a nurse - correct answer ✔✔ when nurse cant act as moral agent
(inability to carry out moral decisions)
ex: "i cant do it because its against families wishes"
arises when the nurse knows the morally correct action and feels responsible for the pt, but
institutional or other restraints make it impossible to follow through with the action
list the two perceived constraints that come with moral distress - correct answer ✔✔ 1- internal
perceived constraint: not enough knowledge to make decision, or inability to socialize/form
relationships
-ex: nursing students are socialized to follow orders, not to question
2-external perceived constraint: the law (threat of lawsuit) or other providers such as other
nurses, manager. the law says it is illegal to drive faster than the speed limit, but the child is
bledding out profusely thus he drives 100 mphs. its an external constraint, but ethically we want
him to get to the hospital as quick as possible.
describe moral outrage
how do we respond to moral outrage - correct answer ✔✔ belief that others are acting
immorally
-feel powerless: cant prevent a "wrong"
