NUR 118 – Nursing Ethics Nursing Ethics Study Guide, Professional Standards, Ethical Decision-Making, Patient Advocacy, and Comprehensive Practice Review

NUR 118 – Nursing Ethics Nursing Ethics
Study Guide, Professional Standards, Ethical
Decision-Making, Patient Advocacy, and
Comprehensive Practice Review
Question 1
A nursing student is learning about the foundational ethical principles in
healthcare. Which of the following is the ethical principle that emphasizes the duty
to do good and promote the well-being of patients?
A) Autonomy
B) Beneficence
C) Nonmaleficence
D) Justice
Answer: B) Beneficence
Rationale: Beneficence is the ethical principle of doing good and promoting the
well-being of patients. It involves actions that benefit others and is a fundamental
principle in healthcare. Autonomy (Option A) is respect for patient self-
determination. Nonmaleficence (Option C) is the duty to avoid harm. Justice
(Option D) is fair distribution of resources.


Question 2
A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a life-saving blood transfusion. The
patient is alert and oriented and understands the consequences of refusing
treatment. The nurse respects the patient's decision. Which ethical principle is the
nurse demonstrating?
A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Autonomy
D) Justice
Answer: C) Autonomy

,Rationale: Autonomy is the ethical principle of respecting the patient's right to
make their own decisions. By respecting the patient's refusal, the nurse is honoring
the patient's autonomy. Beneficence (Option A) would involve doing good for the
patient, but it cannot override autonomy in a competent patient. Nonmaleficence
(Option B) is avoiding harm. Justice (Option D) is fair distribution of resources.


Question 3
A nurse is administering a medication that has potential side effects. The nurse
ensures that the benefits of the medication outweigh the risks. Which ethical
principle is the nurse applying?
A) Autonomy
B) Beneficence
C) Nonmaleficence
D) Veracity
Answer: C) Nonmaleficence
Rationale: Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle of "do no harm." By ensuring
that the benefits of the medication outweigh the risks, the nurse is applying the
principle of nonmaleficence (avoiding harm). Beneficence (Option B) is doing
good, but nonmaleficence specifically addresses avoiding harm. Autonomy
(Option A) is respect for patient decision-making. Veracity (Option D) is
truthfulness.


Question 4
A nursing student is reviewing the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of
Ethics. Which of the following is a key provision of the ANA Code of Ethics?
A) The nurse's primary commitment is to the healthcare organization
B) The nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of
the patient
C) The nurse's primary commitment is to the physician's orders
D) The nurse does not have a responsibility to advance the profession
Answer: B) The nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health,
and safety of the patient

,Rationale: The ANA Code of Ethics states that the nurse's primary commitment is
to the patient. The nurse advocates for patient rights, health, and safety.
Commitment to the healthcare organization (Option A) or physician (Option C) is
secondary. The nurse also has a responsibility to advance the profession (Option
D).


Question 5
A nurse is faced with an ethical dilemma regarding a patient's end-of-life care.
Which of the following is the first step in ethical decision-making?
A) Gather relevant information
B) Identify the ethical dilemma
C) Consider alternatives
D) Evaluate the decision
Answer: B) Identify the ethical dilemma
Rationale: The first step in ethical decision-making is to identify the ethical
dilemma and clearly articulate the ethical issues involved. This is followed by
gathering relevant information (Option A), considering alternatives (Option C),
making a decision, and evaluating the decision (Option D).


Question 6
A nurse is applying the ethical principle of justice in patient care. Which of the
following actions best demonstrates justice?
A) Respecting a patient's decision to refuse treatment
B) Providing care that maximizes benefits and minimizes harm
C) Allocating healthcare resources fairly and equitably among patients
D) Keeping patient information confidential
Answer: C) Allocating healthcare resources fairly and equitably among
patients
Rationale: Justice is the ethical principle of fair and equitable distribution of
resources. Allocating healthcare resources fairly, regardless of ability to pay,
insurance status, or other factors, demonstrates justice. Option A demonstrates

, autonomy. Option B demonstrates beneficence. Option D demonstrates
confidentiality.


Question 7
A nurse is reviewing the ethical principle of veracity. Which of the following
actions best demonstrates veracity?
A) Respecting a patient's decision to refuse treatment
B) Providing care that maximizes benefits
C) Telling the truth and being honest with patients
D) Keeping patient information confidential
Answer: C) Telling the truth and being honest with patients
Rationale: Veracity is the ethical principle of truthfulness. It involves being honest
and transparent with patients. Option A demonstrates autonomy. Option B
demonstrates beneficence. Option D demonstrates confidentiality.


Question 8
A nurse is caring for a patient who is being asked to participate in a research study.
The nurse ensures that the patient understands the study and provides informed
consent. Which ethical principle is the nurse applying?
A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Autonomy
D) Justice
Answer: C) Autonomy
Rationale: Informed consent is a direct application of the principle of autonomy. It
respects the patient's right to make informed decisions about their participation.
Beneficence (Option A) is doing good. Nonmaleficence (Option B) is avoiding
harm. Justice (Option D) is fair distribution of resources.


Question 9
A nurse is caring for a patient who is in pain. The nurse administers a prescribed