ATI Leadership | Exam 6 Study Guide Legal & Ethical Questions
|Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client who decides to refuse further chemotherapy
treatments. Which ethical principle is the nurse supporting when advocating for
the client’s decision?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Fidelity
D. Nonmaleficence
Answer: A
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the right of the client to make their own decisions about
their health care, even if the provider disagrees.
2. A nurse observes a colleague taking a photograph of a client’s wound with a
personal smartphone. Which of the following legal or ethical violations has
occurred?
A. Libel
B. Battery
C. Breach of confidentiality
D. Assault
Answer: C
Rationale: Taking photos of a client on a personal device violates HIPAA regulations and
the client’s right to privacy and confidentiality.
,3. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform first when obtaining
informed consent from a client?
A. Witness the client’s signature on the form.
B. Explain the risks and benefits of the procedure.
C. Ask the client to sign the consent form.
D. Verify that the client understands the information provided by the surgeon.
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse’s role in informed consent is to witness the signature and verify that
the client has a sufficient understanding of the procedure explained by the provider.
4. A client is scheduled for surgery and tells the nurse, ‘I don’t really understand
what the surgeon is going to do.’ Which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
A. Notify the provider that the client needs further explanation.
B. Explain the procedure to the client in simple terms.
C. Tell the client not to worry and that the surgeon is excellent.
D. Have the client sign the consent form and then call the provider.
Answer: A
Rationale: It is the provider’s legal responsibility to explain the procedure; if the client
doesn’t understand, the nurse must notify the provider before the client signs the consent.
5. An older adult client is being admitted to a long-term care facility. The nurse
should provide information about which of the following as required by the
Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA)?
A. The facility’s visitor policy
B. The right to refuse treatment
C. The cost of long-term insurance
D. The importance of a healthy diet
Answer: B
, Rationale: The PSDA requires health care facilities to provide information to clients about
their rights to make their own healthcare decisions and refuse treatment.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is unconscious and requires emergency
surgery. No family members are present. How should the nurse proceed
regarding informed consent?
A. Wait for a court order to proceed.
B. Have two nurses sign the consent form.
C. Proceed with the surgery under the principle of implied consent.
D. Ask the hospital administrator to sign the consent.
Answer: C
Rationale: In an emergency situation where the client is unable to consent and no family is
available, the law assumes the client would want life-saving treatment (implied consent).
7. A nurse tells a client, ‘If you don’t stay in bed, I’m going to put you in
restraints.’ This is an example of which of the following torts?
A. Battery
B. Malpractice
C. False imprisonment
D. Assault
Answer: D
Rationale: Assault is a threat that makes a person fearful of harm or offensive contact.
Battery involves actual physical contact.
|Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client who decides to refuse further chemotherapy
treatments. Which ethical principle is the nurse supporting when advocating for
the client’s decision?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Fidelity
D. Nonmaleficence
Answer: A
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the right of the client to make their own decisions about
their health care, even if the provider disagrees.
2. A nurse observes a colleague taking a photograph of a client’s wound with a
personal smartphone. Which of the following legal or ethical violations has
occurred?
A. Libel
B. Battery
C. Breach of confidentiality
D. Assault
Answer: C
Rationale: Taking photos of a client on a personal device violates HIPAA regulations and
the client’s right to privacy and confidentiality.
,3. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform first when obtaining
informed consent from a client?
A. Witness the client’s signature on the form.
B. Explain the risks and benefits of the procedure.
C. Ask the client to sign the consent form.
D. Verify that the client understands the information provided by the surgeon.
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse’s role in informed consent is to witness the signature and verify that
the client has a sufficient understanding of the procedure explained by the provider.
4. A client is scheduled for surgery and tells the nurse, ‘I don’t really understand
what the surgeon is going to do.’ Which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
A. Notify the provider that the client needs further explanation.
B. Explain the procedure to the client in simple terms.
C. Tell the client not to worry and that the surgeon is excellent.
D. Have the client sign the consent form and then call the provider.
Answer: A
Rationale: It is the provider’s legal responsibility to explain the procedure; if the client
doesn’t understand, the nurse must notify the provider before the client signs the consent.
5. An older adult client is being admitted to a long-term care facility. The nurse
should provide information about which of the following as required by the
Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA)?
A. The facility’s visitor policy
B. The right to refuse treatment
C. The cost of long-term insurance
D. The importance of a healthy diet
Answer: B
, Rationale: The PSDA requires health care facilities to provide information to clients about
their rights to make their own healthcare decisions and refuse treatment.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is unconscious and requires emergency
surgery. No family members are present. How should the nurse proceed
regarding informed consent?
A. Wait for a court order to proceed.
B. Have two nurses sign the consent form.
C. Proceed with the surgery under the principle of implied consent.
D. Ask the hospital administrator to sign the consent.
Answer: C
Rationale: In an emergency situation where the client is unable to consent and no family is
available, the law assumes the client would want life-saving treatment (implied consent).
7. A nurse tells a client, ‘If you don’t stay in bed, I’m going to put you in
restraints.’ This is an example of which of the following torts?
A. Battery
B. Malpractice
C. False imprisonment
D. Assault
Answer: D
Rationale: Assault is a threat that makes a person fearful of harm or offensive contact.
Battery involves actual physical contact.
