NR581NP Week 6: Addressing Ethical Dilemmas
Presentation Chamberlain University | 2026
Update.
: Foundational Ethical Concepts
1. What is the best definition of an ethical dilemma in healthcare?
A) A situation where the healthcare provider disagrees with the patient's treatment
choice
B) A conflict between two or more moral imperatives where choosing one violates
another
C) A legal dispute between the healthcare team and the patient's family
D) A situation where the provider lacks knowledge about a treatment option
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An ethical dilemma occurs when competing ethical principles or values clash,
making it impossible to honor all obligations simultaneously. Option B correctly
captures this definition—choosing one morally sound course of action necessarily
violates another. Option A describes a disagreement, not necessarily an ethical dilemma.
Option C describes a legal conflict. Option D describes a knowledge deficit, not an
ethical conflict .
2. Which ethical principle refers to the duty to do good and promote the well-
being of patients?
A) Nonmaleficence
B) Autonomy
C) Beneficence
D) Justice
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Beneficence is the ethical principle requiring healthcare providers to act in
ways that promote patient well-being and contribute to their health. This principle
guides providers to actively do good for patients. Nonmaleficence (A) means "do no
harm." Autonomy (B) respects patient self-determination. Justice (D) relates to fairness
and equitable distribution of resources .
3. What does the ethical principle of nonmaleficence require of healthcare
providers?
A) To maximize patient benefits
B) To respect patient decisions
C) To avoid causing harm to patients
D) To distribute resources fairly
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nonmaleficence, derived from the Latin "primum non nocere" (first, do no
harm), requires providers to avoid actions that could cause harm to patients. This is
distinct from beneficence (A), which requires actively doing good. Autonomy (B)
respects patient choices. Justice (D) concerns fair distribution .
4. The principle of autonomy in healthcare ethics refers to:
A) The provider's right to make treatment decisions
B) The patient's right to self-determination and informed decision-making
C) The institution's authority over patient care
D) The family's right to make decisions for the patient
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Autonomy respects the patient's right to make their own healthcare
decisions based on their values and preferences. It requires informed consent and
respects patient choices even when providers disagree. Option A incorrectly places
decision-making authority with providers. Option C refers to institutional authority.
,Option D describes family decision-making, which may apply in some situations but is
not the definition of autonomy .
5. A PMHNP who maintains professional boundaries and keeps promises to
patients is demonstrating which ethical principle?
A) Veracity
B) Fidelity
C) Justice
D) Autonomy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fidelity refers to faithfulness, loyalty, and keeping commitments to patients.
It includes maintaining professional boundaries and following through on promises.
Veracity (A) is truthfulness. Justice (C) is fairness. Autonomy (D) is self-determination .
6. Which ethical principle involves telling the truth and being honest with
patients?
A) Fidelity
B) Beneficence
C) Veracity
D) Respect
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Veracity is the principle of truthfulness and honesty in professional
relationships. It requires providers to communicate openly and accurately with patients.
Fidelity (A) is loyalty and keeping promises. Beneficence (B) is doing good. Respect (D)
involves honoring patients' dignity and worth .
7. The principle of justice in healthcare ethics primarily addresses:
, A) The provider's duty to be fair in all patient interactions
B) The equitable distribution of healthcare resources and benefits
C) The legal rights of patients to sue for malpractice
D) The right of all patients to receive experimental treatments
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Justice in healthcare ethics concerns fair, equitable, and appropriate
distribution of healthcare resources, benefits, and burdens among patients and
populations. Option A describes fairness in individual interactions but is too narrow.
Option C addresses legal rights. Option D refers to access to treatments, which relates to
justice but is not the complete definition .
8. When a patient's wishes conflict with what the provider believes is medically
best, the PMHNP should first:
A) Ignore the patient's wishes and provide the best medical care
B) Refer the patient to another provider
C) Engage in shared decision-making to understand the patient's values and concerns
D) Contact the hospital ethics committee for immediate intervention
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Respect for autonomy requires engaging patients in shared decision-making
to understand their values, beliefs, and reasons for their preferences. This respects
patient dignity while allowing providers to offer medical expertise. Option A violates
autonomy. Option B may be appropriate in some cases but should not be the first step.
Option D is premature before attempting direct communication .
9. The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses has how many provisions?
A) 7
B) 8
C) 9
D) 10
Presentation Chamberlain University | 2026
Update.
: Foundational Ethical Concepts
1. What is the best definition of an ethical dilemma in healthcare?
A) A situation where the healthcare provider disagrees with the patient's treatment
choice
B) A conflict between two or more moral imperatives where choosing one violates
another
C) A legal dispute between the healthcare team and the patient's family
D) A situation where the provider lacks knowledge about a treatment option
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An ethical dilemma occurs when competing ethical principles or values clash,
making it impossible to honor all obligations simultaneously. Option B correctly
captures this definition—choosing one morally sound course of action necessarily
violates another. Option A describes a disagreement, not necessarily an ethical dilemma.
Option C describes a legal conflict. Option D describes a knowledge deficit, not an
ethical conflict .
2. Which ethical principle refers to the duty to do good and promote the well-
being of patients?
A) Nonmaleficence
B) Autonomy
C) Beneficence
D) Justice
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Beneficence is the ethical principle requiring healthcare providers to act in
ways that promote patient well-being and contribute to their health. This principle
guides providers to actively do good for patients. Nonmaleficence (A) means "do no
harm." Autonomy (B) respects patient self-determination. Justice (D) relates to fairness
and equitable distribution of resources .
3. What does the ethical principle of nonmaleficence require of healthcare
providers?
A) To maximize patient benefits
B) To respect patient decisions
C) To avoid causing harm to patients
D) To distribute resources fairly
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nonmaleficence, derived from the Latin "primum non nocere" (first, do no
harm), requires providers to avoid actions that could cause harm to patients. This is
distinct from beneficence (A), which requires actively doing good. Autonomy (B)
respects patient choices. Justice (D) concerns fair distribution .
4. The principle of autonomy in healthcare ethics refers to:
A) The provider's right to make treatment decisions
B) The patient's right to self-determination and informed decision-making
C) The institution's authority over patient care
D) The family's right to make decisions for the patient
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Autonomy respects the patient's right to make their own healthcare
decisions based on their values and preferences. It requires informed consent and
respects patient choices even when providers disagree. Option A incorrectly places
decision-making authority with providers. Option C refers to institutional authority.
,Option D describes family decision-making, which may apply in some situations but is
not the definition of autonomy .
5. A PMHNP who maintains professional boundaries and keeps promises to
patients is demonstrating which ethical principle?
A) Veracity
B) Fidelity
C) Justice
D) Autonomy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fidelity refers to faithfulness, loyalty, and keeping commitments to patients.
It includes maintaining professional boundaries and following through on promises.
Veracity (A) is truthfulness. Justice (C) is fairness. Autonomy (D) is self-determination .
6. Which ethical principle involves telling the truth and being honest with
patients?
A) Fidelity
B) Beneficence
C) Veracity
D) Respect
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Veracity is the principle of truthfulness and honesty in professional
relationships. It requires providers to communicate openly and accurately with patients.
Fidelity (A) is loyalty and keeping promises. Beneficence (B) is doing good. Respect (D)
involves honoring patients' dignity and worth .
7. The principle of justice in healthcare ethics primarily addresses:
, A) The provider's duty to be fair in all patient interactions
B) The equitable distribution of healthcare resources and benefits
C) The legal rights of patients to sue for malpractice
D) The right of all patients to receive experimental treatments
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Justice in healthcare ethics concerns fair, equitable, and appropriate
distribution of healthcare resources, benefits, and burdens among patients and
populations. Option A describes fairness in individual interactions but is too narrow.
Option C addresses legal rights. Option D refers to access to treatments, which relates to
justice but is not the complete definition .
8. When a patient's wishes conflict with what the provider believes is medically
best, the PMHNP should first:
A) Ignore the patient's wishes and provide the best medical care
B) Refer the patient to another provider
C) Engage in shared decision-making to understand the patient's values and concerns
D) Contact the hospital ethics committee for immediate intervention
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Respect for autonomy requires engaging patients in shared decision-making
to understand their values, beliefs, and reasons for their preferences. This respects
patient dignity while allowing providers to offer medical expertise. Option A violates
autonomy. Option B may be appropriate in some cases but should not be the first step.
Option D is premature before attempting direct communication .
9. The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses has how many provisions?
A) 7
B) 8
C) 9
D) 10
