2026/2027
Comprehensive 2026/2027 Galen NUR 242
Medical-Surgical Nursing Exam Prep with
Test Bank, Case-Based Questions, and
Review Content
Question 1:
Nurse witnesses another nurse providing care without proper hand hygiene and
reports this to the charge nurse. The charge nurse is friends with the other nurse and
refuses to take action. This is an example of:
A. Ethical dilemma
B. Moral uncertainty
C. Moral distress
D. Ethical relativism
Correct Answer: C. Moral distress
Rationale: Moral distress occurs when a nurse knows the right action but is unable to
act due to barriers such as authority conflict or workplace dynamics. Ethical dilemma
involves choosing between two equally undesirable options (not present here). Moral
uncertainty is not knowing the right action. Ethical relativism relates to cultural
variation in ethics, not workplace conflict.
Question 2:
A nurse manager makes decisions based on what benefits the majority of subordinates.
This ethical framework is:
A. Deontology
B. Utilitarianism
C. Virtue ethics
D. Ethical relativism
Correct Answer: B. Utilitarianism
Rationale: Utilitarianism focuses on achieving the greatest good for the greatest
number. Deontology focuses on duty and rules. Virtue ethics focuses on character.
Ethical relativism depends on cultural context, not majority benefit.
Question 3:
,2026/2027
Which of the following is NOT an element of ethical decision-making?
A. Beneficence
B. Utility
C. Paternalism
D. Pragmatism
Correct Answer: D. Pragmatism
Rationale: Beneficence, utility, and paternalism are ethical principles or frameworks.
Pragmatism is a philosophical approach but not a core ethical decision-making
element in nursing ethics.
Question 4:
Nancy is a loyal and trustworthy nurse who consistently performs expected duties.
Which ethical principle is she demonstrating?
A. Justice
B. Fidelity
C. Veracity
D. Autonomy
Correct Answer: B. Fidelity
Rationale: Fidelity refers to loyalty, faithfulness, and keeping commitments. Justice
relates to fairness, veracity to truth-telling, and autonomy to self-determination.
Question 5:
A nurse uses triage to distribute care due to limited resources. This promotes which
ethical principle?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Fidelity
D. Beneficence
Correct Answer: B. Justice
Rationale: Justice ensures fair distribution of resources. Triage prioritizes patients
based on need. Autonomy is self-choice, fidelity is loyalty, and beneficence is doing
good.
Question 6:
Nursing ethics states duties and obligations of nurses should include:
, 2026/2027
A. Individual only
B. Client only
C. Community only
D. All of them
Correct Answer: D. All of them
Rationale: Nursing ethics covers responsibility to individuals, clients, families, and
communities, not just one group.
Question 7:
When does a moral issue become an ethical dilemma?
A. When laws are unclear
B. When forced to choose between two undesirable alternatives
C. When a nurse disagrees with a doctor
D. When a policy is violated
Correct Answer: B. When forced to choose between two undesirable alternatives
Rationale: Ethical dilemmas involve conflicting choices where no option is fully
acceptable.
Question 8:
A nurse hides a drug test result to protect a candidate. The violated ethical principle is:
A. Justice
B. Veracity
C. Beneficence
D. Fidelity
Correct Answer: B. Veracity
Rationale: Veracity means truth-telling. The nurse was dishonest. Justice is fairness,
beneficence is doing good, fidelity is loyalty.
Question 9:
A nurse explains chemotherapy side effects even though the patient refuses treatment.
This reflects:
A. Confidentiality
B. Veracity
C. Justice
D. Paternalism
Comprehensive 2026/2027 Galen NUR 242
Medical-Surgical Nursing Exam Prep with
Test Bank, Case-Based Questions, and
Review Content
Question 1:
Nurse witnesses another nurse providing care without proper hand hygiene and
reports this to the charge nurse. The charge nurse is friends with the other nurse and
refuses to take action. This is an example of:
A. Ethical dilemma
B. Moral uncertainty
C. Moral distress
D. Ethical relativism
Correct Answer: C. Moral distress
Rationale: Moral distress occurs when a nurse knows the right action but is unable to
act due to barriers such as authority conflict or workplace dynamics. Ethical dilemma
involves choosing between two equally undesirable options (not present here). Moral
uncertainty is not knowing the right action. Ethical relativism relates to cultural
variation in ethics, not workplace conflict.
Question 2:
A nurse manager makes decisions based on what benefits the majority of subordinates.
This ethical framework is:
A. Deontology
B. Utilitarianism
C. Virtue ethics
D. Ethical relativism
Correct Answer: B. Utilitarianism
Rationale: Utilitarianism focuses on achieving the greatest good for the greatest
number. Deontology focuses on duty and rules. Virtue ethics focuses on character.
Ethical relativism depends on cultural context, not majority benefit.
Question 3:
,2026/2027
Which of the following is NOT an element of ethical decision-making?
A. Beneficence
B. Utility
C. Paternalism
D. Pragmatism
Correct Answer: D. Pragmatism
Rationale: Beneficence, utility, and paternalism are ethical principles or frameworks.
Pragmatism is a philosophical approach but not a core ethical decision-making
element in nursing ethics.
Question 4:
Nancy is a loyal and trustworthy nurse who consistently performs expected duties.
Which ethical principle is she demonstrating?
A. Justice
B. Fidelity
C. Veracity
D. Autonomy
Correct Answer: B. Fidelity
Rationale: Fidelity refers to loyalty, faithfulness, and keeping commitments. Justice
relates to fairness, veracity to truth-telling, and autonomy to self-determination.
Question 5:
A nurse uses triage to distribute care due to limited resources. This promotes which
ethical principle?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Fidelity
D. Beneficence
Correct Answer: B. Justice
Rationale: Justice ensures fair distribution of resources. Triage prioritizes patients
based on need. Autonomy is self-choice, fidelity is loyalty, and beneficence is doing
good.
Question 6:
Nursing ethics states duties and obligations of nurses should include:
, 2026/2027
A. Individual only
B. Client only
C. Community only
D. All of them
Correct Answer: D. All of them
Rationale: Nursing ethics covers responsibility to individuals, clients, families, and
communities, not just one group.
Question 7:
When does a moral issue become an ethical dilemma?
A. When laws are unclear
B. When forced to choose between two undesirable alternatives
C. When a nurse disagrees with a doctor
D. When a policy is violated
Correct Answer: B. When forced to choose between two undesirable alternatives
Rationale: Ethical dilemmas involve conflicting choices where no option is fully
acceptable.
Question 8:
A nurse hides a drug test result to protect a candidate. The violated ethical principle is:
A. Justice
B. Veracity
C. Beneficence
D. Fidelity
Correct Answer: B. Veracity
Rationale: Veracity means truth-telling. The nurse was dishonest. Justice is fairness,
beneficence is doing good, fidelity is loyalty.
Question 9:
A nurse explains chemotherapy side effects even though the patient refuses treatment.
This reflects:
A. Confidentiality
B. Veracity
C. Justice
D. Paternalism
