ATI Leadership | Legal & Ethical Nursing Practice | Exam 6 Practice
2026 Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for an elective surgery. Which
of the following actions is the nurse’s responsibility regarding informed
consent?
A. Explain the risks and benefits of the procedure.
B. Inform the client about the cost of the procedure.
C. Describe alternative treatments available to the client.
D. Witness the client signing the consent form.
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse’s role in informed consent is to witness the client’s signature and
ensure the client appears competent and understands that they are signing a consent form.
Explaining risks, benefits, and alternatives is the responsibility of the provider.
2. A nurse is documenting in a client’s medical record. Which of the following
entries demonstrates a potential legal issue?
A. Client’s heart rate was 88 bpm at 10:00.
B. Administered 5 mg morphine IV for pain level 8/10.
C. Dressing is clean, dry, and intact.
D. The client was obnoxious and refused to cooperate during the dressing change.
E. N/A
Answer: D
Rationale: Documentation should be objective. Using subjective and judgmental terms like
‘obnoxious’ can be seen as defamatory or unprofessional and does not provide a factual
account of the client’s status.
,3. Which ethical principle is a nurse following when they provide a client with
accurate information about their diagnosis even if the news is bad?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Veracity
D. Nonmaleficence
Answer: C
Rationale: Veracity is the duty to tell the truth and not mislead the client. Providing
accurate information is a direct application of this principle.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who decides to leave the hospital against medical
advice (AMA). Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Call security to prevent the client from leaving.
B. Withhold the client’s personal belongings until they sign the form.
C. Administer a sedative to keep the client in bed.
D. Inform the client of the risks associated with leaving.
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse must inform the client of the risks of leaving AMA. Forcing the client
to stay against their will could be considered false imprisonment.
5. An older adult client is being admitted to a long-term care facility. According
to the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA), what must the facility provide?
A. A legal representative for the client.
B. Free legal counsel for estate planning.
C. A guaranteed cure for their condition.
D. Information about their right to refuse treatment and formulate advance directives.
Answer: D
, Rationale: The PSDA requires healthcare facilities to provide written information to clients
regarding their rights to make medical decisions and their right to accept or refuse medical
treatment.
6. A nurse accidentally administers the wrong medication to a client but the
client suffers no ill effects. Which element of professional negligence is missing
if a lawsuit is filed?
A. Injury or damages
B. Breach of duty
C. Duty to provide care
D. Proximate cause
Answer: A
Rationale: Professional negligence (malpractice) requires four elements: duty, breach of
duty, causation, and harm/injury. If no harm or injury occurred, a malpractice claim
typically cannot be sustained.
7. A nurse is assigned to a client who is a well-known politician. A reporter calls
asking for the client’s condition. Which of the following is the appropriate
nursing response?
A. Tell the reporter the client is in stable condition.
B. Confirm the client is on the unit but say no more.
C. Transfer the call to the client’s room.
D. State that they cannot provide any information about any client.
Answer: D
Rationale: Under HIPAA, nurses must protect the privacy of all clients. Confirming a
client’s presence or condition without their express permission is a violation of
confidentiality.
2026 Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for an elective surgery. Which
of the following actions is the nurse’s responsibility regarding informed
consent?
A. Explain the risks and benefits of the procedure.
B. Inform the client about the cost of the procedure.
C. Describe alternative treatments available to the client.
D. Witness the client signing the consent form.
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse’s role in informed consent is to witness the client’s signature and
ensure the client appears competent and understands that they are signing a consent form.
Explaining risks, benefits, and alternatives is the responsibility of the provider.
2. A nurse is documenting in a client’s medical record. Which of the following
entries demonstrates a potential legal issue?
A. Client’s heart rate was 88 bpm at 10:00.
B. Administered 5 mg morphine IV for pain level 8/10.
C. Dressing is clean, dry, and intact.
D. The client was obnoxious and refused to cooperate during the dressing change.
E. N/A
Answer: D
Rationale: Documentation should be objective. Using subjective and judgmental terms like
‘obnoxious’ can be seen as defamatory or unprofessional and does not provide a factual
account of the client’s status.
,3. Which ethical principle is a nurse following when they provide a client with
accurate information about their diagnosis even if the news is bad?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Veracity
D. Nonmaleficence
Answer: C
Rationale: Veracity is the duty to tell the truth and not mislead the client. Providing
accurate information is a direct application of this principle.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who decides to leave the hospital against medical
advice (AMA). Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Call security to prevent the client from leaving.
B. Withhold the client’s personal belongings until they sign the form.
C. Administer a sedative to keep the client in bed.
D. Inform the client of the risks associated with leaving.
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse must inform the client of the risks of leaving AMA. Forcing the client
to stay against their will could be considered false imprisonment.
5. An older adult client is being admitted to a long-term care facility. According
to the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA), what must the facility provide?
A. A legal representative for the client.
B. Free legal counsel for estate planning.
C. A guaranteed cure for their condition.
D. Information about their right to refuse treatment and formulate advance directives.
Answer: D
, Rationale: The PSDA requires healthcare facilities to provide written information to clients
regarding their rights to make medical decisions and their right to accept or refuse medical
treatment.
6. A nurse accidentally administers the wrong medication to a client but the
client suffers no ill effects. Which element of professional negligence is missing
if a lawsuit is filed?
A. Injury or damages
B. Breach of duty
C. Duty to provide care
D. Proximate cause
Answer: A
Rationale: Professional negligence (malpractice) requires four elements: duty, breach of
duty, causation, and harm/injury. If no harm or injury occurred, a malpractice claim
typically cannot be sustained.
7. A nurse is assigned to a client who is a well-known politician. A reporter calls
asking for the client’s condition. Which of the following is the appropriate
nursing response?
A. Tell the reporter the client is in stable condition.
B. Confirm the client is on the unit but say no more.
C. Transfer the call to the client’s room.
D. State that they cannot provide any information about any client.
Answer: D
Rationale: Under HIPAA, nurses must protect the privacy of all clients. Confirming a
client’s presence or condition without their express permission is a violation of
confidentiality.
