,NU 131 / NU131 Exam 2 – Integrated Human Sciences
(Nursing and Healthcare I) | Galen College (2026/2027 Edition)
1. What is the difference between ethics and morals in nursing practice?
A) Ethics are personal beliefs; morals are external rules
B) Ethics are social system rules; morals are internal individual beliefs
C) Ethics are legally binding; morals are optional
D) There is no difference between ethics and morals
Correct Answer: Ethics are social system rules; morals are internal individual beliefs
Rationale: Morals are principles or habits with respect to right or wrong conduct based on the individual
(internal), while ethics are rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular group based on a social
system (external).
2. A nurse is caring for a patient whose cultural beliefs conflict with a prescribed treatment. The nurse
collaborates with the patient to find an acceptable alternative. This action best demonstrates which
ethical principle?
A) Nonmaleficence
B) Justice
C) Autonomy
D) Beneficence
Correct Answer: Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy is the right to choose and self-determination. By collaborating with the patient to
find an acceptable alternative that respects their cultural beliefs, the nurse is supporting the patient's
autonomy.
3. The ethical principle of "do no harm" is known as:
A) Beneficence
,B) Nonmaleficence
C) Justice
D) Fidelity
Correct Answer: Nonmaleficence
Rationale: Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle of "do no harm". It requires nurses to use safety
precautions and evidence-based practice to prevent injury or harm to patients.
4. A nurse administers the wrong medication to a patient and immediately reports the error to the
provider and the patient. This action best demonstrates which ethical responsibility?
A) Patient advocacy
B) Peer reporting
C) Accountability
D) Justice
Correct Answer: Accountability
Rationale: Accountability in nursing means being responsible for one's actions and decisions in patient
care. By reporting the error, the nurse is demonstrating accountability to the patient and the healthcare
team.
5. The Nurse Practice Act (NPA) is based on which level of legislation?
A) Federal legislation
B) State legislation
C) Local legislation
D) International legislation
Correct Answer: State legislation
, Rationale: The Nurse Practice Act is based on state legislation that regulates nursing practice, aimed at
protecting the public and establishing State Boards of Nursing.
6. What is the primary purpose of the Nurse Practice Act?
A) To define the scope of nursing practice
B) To protect the public
C) To establish educational requirements for nurses
D) To set salaries for nurses
Correct Answer: To protect the public
Rationale: The primary purpose of the Nurse Practice Act is to protect the public. It establishes
standards for nursing practice and provides for disciplinary action when those standards are violated.
7. Which of the following is a function of the State Board of Nursing?
A) Setting hospital policies
B) Defining the practice of professional nursing
C) Establishing medical school curricula
D) Determining physician licensure requirements
Correct Answer: Defining the practice of professional nursing
Rationale: The State Board of Nursing defines the practice of professional nursing, sets minimal
educational qualifications, sets legal titles, and provides for disciplinary action.
8. Which of the following is a common ground for disciplinary action against a nurse?
A) Continuing education
B) Criminal activity
C) Professional development
D) Community service
(Nursing and Healthcare I) | Galen College (2026/2027 Edition)
1. What is the difference between ethics and morals in nursing practice?
A) Ethics are personal beliefs; morals are external rules
B) Ethics are social system rules; morals are internal individual beliefs
C) Ethics are legally binding; morals are optional
D) There is no difference between ethics and morals
Correct Answer: Ethics are social system rules; morals are internal individual beliefs
Rationale: Morals are principles or habits with respect to right or wrong conduct based on the individual
(internal), while ethics are rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular group based on a social
system (external).
2. A nurse is caring for a patient whose cultural beliefs conflict with a prescribed treatment. The nurse
collaborates with the patient to find an acceptable alternative. This action best demonstrates which
ethical principle?
A) Nonmaleficence
B) Justice
C) Autonomy
D) Beneficence
Correct Answer: Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy is the right to choose and self-determination. By collaborating with the patient to
find an acceptable alternative that respects their cultural beliefs, the nurse is supporting the patient's
autonomy.
3. The ethical principle of "do no harm" is known as:
A) Beneficence
,B) Nonmaleficence
C) Justice
D) Fidelity
Correct Answer: Nonmaleficence
Rationale: Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle of "do no harm". It requires nurses to use safety
precautions and evidence-based practice to prevent injury or harm to patients.
4. A nurse administers the wrong medication to a patient and immediately reports the error to the
provider and the patient. This action best demonstrates which ethical responsibility?
A) Patient advocacy
B) Peer reporting
C) Accountability
D) Justice
Correct Answer: Accountability
Rationale: Accountability in nursing means being responsible for one's actions and decisions in patient
care. By reporting the error, the nurse is demonstrating accountability to the patient and the healthcare
team.
5. The Nurse Practice Act (NPA) is based on which level of legislation?
A) Federal legislation
B) State legislation
C) Local legislation
D) International legislation
Correct Answer: State legislation
, Rationale: The Nurse Practice Act is based on state legislation that regulates nursing practice, aimed at
protecting the public and establishing State Boards of Nursing.
6. What is the primary purpose of the Nurse Practice Act?
A) To define the scope of nursing practice
B) To protect the public
C) To establish educational requirements for nurses
D) To set salaries for nurses
Correct Answer: To protect the public
Rationale: The primary purpose of the Nurse Practice Act is to protect the public. It establishes
standards for nursing practice and provides for disciplinary action when those standards are violated.
7. Which of the following is a function of the State Board of Nursing?
A) Setting hospital policies
B) Defining the practice of professional nursing
C) Establishing medical school curricula
D) Determining physician licensure requirements
Correct Answer: Defining the practice of professional nursing
Rationale: The State Board of Nursing defines the practice of professional nursing, sets minimal
educational qualifications, sets legal titles, and provides for disciplinary action.
8. Which of the following is a common ground for disciplinary action against a nurse?
A) Continuing education
B) Criminal activity
C) Professional development
D) Community service
