Grand Canyon University NSG 310 Exam 2 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Intro
Prof Nursing Q&A | Nursing
**1. A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a blood transfusion due to
religious beliefs. The nurse respects the patient's decision and documents
the refusal. This action demonstrates which ethical principle?**
A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Autonomy
D) Justice
Correct Answer: C) Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy is the right of individuals to make informed decisions
about their own healthcare. Respecting a patient's refusal of treatment, even
when it goes against medical advice, is a clear example of supporting patient
autonomy. The nurse's role is to advocate for the patient's right to self-
determination.
**2. Which ethical principle refers to the nurse's obligation to tell the truth
and not deceive others?**
A) Fidelity
B) Veracity
C) Beneficence
D) Justice
Correct Answer: B) Veracity
Rationale: Veracity is the ethical principle that requires nurses to tell the
truth and not lie or deceive others. It is foundational to building trust in the
nurse-patient relationship and ensuring informed consent.
,**3. A nurse administers a medication to a patient, knowing it may cause
discomfort but will ultimately save the patient's life. Which ethical principle is
the nurse primarily upholding?**
A) Autonomy
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Beneficence
D) Justice
Correct Answer: C) Beneficence
Rationale: Beneficence is the duty to promote good and prevent harm. By
administering a life-saving medication despite temporary discomfort, the
nurse is acting in the patient's best interest to promote their well-being. The
principle of nonmaleficence ("do no harm") is also considered, but
beneficence is the primary guiding principle here.
**4. A nurse fails to report a medication error that caused no harm to the
patient. This action violates which ethical principle?**
A) Veracity
B) Fidelity
C) Autonomy
D) Justice
Correct Answer: A) Veracity
Rationale: Veracity is the obligation to tell the truth. Failing to report a
medication error, even if no harm occurred, is a breach of truthfulness and
undermines professional accountability. Transparency in error reporting is
essential for patient safety and quality improvement.
,**5. The ethical principle of fidelity in nursing refers to:**
A) The duty to tell the truth
B) The obligation to be faithful to commitments made to patients and the
profession
C) The right of patients to make their own decisions
D) The fair distribution of healthcare resources
Correct Answer: B) The obligation to be faithful to commitments made to
patients and the profession
Rationale: Fidelity is the obligation to be faithful to commitments made to
patients, colleagues, and the nursing profession. It encompasses keeping
promises, maintaining confidentiality, and fulfilling professional
responsibilities as outlined in the ANA Code of Ethics.
**6. A nurse is caring for two patients with different insurance coverage. The
nurse provides the same quality of care to both patients. This action best
demonstrates which ethical principle?**
A) Autonomy
B) Beneficence
C) Nonmaleficence
D) Justice
Correct Answer: D) Justice
Rationale: Justice is the ethical principle that requires fairness and the
equitable distribution of healthcare resources. By providing equal care
regardless of insurance status, the nurse is upholding the principle of justice.
, **7. A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving chemotherapy. The
patient asks about potential side effects. The nurse provides complete and
honest information. This action demonstrates which ethical principle?**
A) Fidelity
B) Veracity
C) Nonmaleficence
D) Justice
Correct Answer: B) Veracity
Rationale: Veracity is the duty to tell the truth and not deceive others.
Providing honest information about potential side effects respects the
patient's right to make informed decisions about their care.
**8. Which of the following is an example of the ethical principle of
nonmaleficence?**
A) Respecting a patient's right to refuse treatment
B) Administering pain medication to a patient in distress
C) Ensuring that a patient receives equal care regardless of insurance
D) Avoiding medication errors by following the five rights of medication
administration
Correct Answer: D) Avoiding medication errors by following the five rights of
medication administration
Rationale: Nonmaleficence is the duty to do no harm. Following the five
rights of medication administration is a direct action taken to prevent harm
to the patient. While beneficence involves doing good (like administering
pain medication), nonmaleficence specifically focuses on avoiding harm.
Prof Nursing Q&A | Nursing
**1. A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a blood transfusion due to
religious beliefs. The nurse respects the patient's decision and documents
the refusal. This action demonstrates which ethical principle?**
A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Autonomy
D) Justice
Correct Answer: C) Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy is the right of individuals to make informed decisions
about their own healthcare. Respecting a patient's refusal of treatment, even
when it goes against medical advice, is a clear example of supporting patient
autonomy. The nurse's role is to advocate for the patient's right to self-
determination.
**2. Which ethical principle refers to the nurse's obligation to tell the truth
and not deceive others?**
A) Fidelity
B) Veracity
C) Beneficence
D) Justice
Correct Answer: B) Veracity
Rationale: Veracity is the ethical principle that requires nurses to tell the
truth and not lie or deceive others. It is foundational to building trust in the
nurse-patient relationship and ensuring informed consent.
,**3. A nurse administers a medication to a patient, knowing it may cause
discomfort but will ultimately save the patient's life. Which ethical principle is
the nurse primarily upholding?**
A) Autonomy
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Beneficence
D) Justice
Correct Answer: C) Beneficence
Rationale: Beneficence is the duty to promote good and prevent harm. By
administering a life-saving medication despite temporary discomfort, the
nurse is acting in the patient's best interest to promote their well-being. The
principle of nonmaleficence ("do no harm") is also considered, but
beneficence is the primary guiding principle here.
**4. A nurse fails to report a medication error that caused no harm to the
patient. This action violates which ethical principle?**
A) Veracity
B) Fidelity
C) Autonomy
D) Justice
Correct Answer: A) Veracity
Rationale: Veracity is the obligation to tell the truth. Failing to report a
medication error, even if no harm occurred, is a breach of truthfulness and
undermines professional accountability. Transparency in error reporting is
essential for patient safety and quality improvement.
,**5. The ethical principle of fidelity in nursing refers to:**
A) The duty to tell the truth
B) The obligation to be faithful to commitments made to patients and the
profession
C) The right of patients to make their own decisions
D) The fair distribution of healthcare resources
Correct Answer: B) The obligation to be faithful to commitments made to
patients and the profession
Rationale: Fidelity is the obligation to be faithful to commitments made to
patients, colleagues, and the nursing profession. It encompasses keeping
promises, maintaining confidentiality, and fulfilling professional
responsibilities as outlined in the ANA Code of Ethics.
**6. A nurse is caring for two patients with different insurance coverage. The
nurse provides the same quality of care to both patients. This action best
demonstrates which ethical principle?**
A) Autonomy
B) Beneficence
C) Nonmaleficence
D) Justice
Correct Answer: D) Justice
Rationale: Justice is the ethical principle that requires fairness and the
equitable distribution of healthcare resources. By providing equal care
regardless of insurance status, the nurse is upholding the principle of justice.
, **7. A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving chemotherapy. The
patient asks about potential side effects. The nurse provides complete and
honest information. This action demonstrates which ethical principle?**
A) Fidelity
B) Veracity
C) Nonmaleficence
D) Justice
Correct Answer: B) Veracity
Rationale: Veracity is the duty to tell the truth and not deceive others.
Providing honest information about potential side effects respects the
patient's right to make informed decisions about their care.
**8. Which of the following is an example of the ethical principle of
nonmaleficence?**
A) Respecting a patient's right to refuse treatment
B) Administering pain medication to a patient in distress
C) Ensuring that a patient receives equal care regardless of insurance
D) Avoiding medication errors by following the five rights of medication
administration
Correct Answer: D) Avoiding medication errors by following the five rights of
medication administration
Rationale: Nonmaleficence is the duty to do no harm. Following the five
rights of medication administration is a direct action taken to prevent harm
to the patient. While beneficence involves doing good (like administering
pain medication), nonmaleficence specifically focuses on avoiding harm.
