BSN3A Nursing Ethics and Legal Issues – Exam Practice Questions &
Verified Answers with Explained Rationales (2026 Latest Update) –
Comprehensive 250-Question Practice Exam
Questions 1–250
1. A patient refuses to take a prescribed medication. The nurse
respects the patient's decision. This demonstrates which ethical
principle?
A) Beneficence
B) Non-maleficence
C) Autonomy
D) Justice
Answer C: Autonomy
,Rationale: Autonomy respects the patient's right to make their own
healthcare decisions.
2. The nurse administers a medication without checking the
patient's identification. The patient suffers an adverse reaction. This
is an example of:
A) Assault
B) Negligence
C) Battery
D) Defamation
Answer B: Negligence
Rationale: Negligence is failure to act as a reasonably prudent nurse
would, causing harm.
3. A nurse threatens to restrain a patient who refuses to take
medication. This is an example of:
A) Battery
B) Assault
C) False imprisonment
,D) Defamation
Answer B: Assault
Rationale: Assault is threatening or attempting to touch another
person without consent.
4. A nurse physically restrains a patient without an order or
consent. This is an example of:
A) Assault
B) Battery
C) False imprisonment
D) Defamation
Answer B: Battery
Rationale: Battery is the actual physical contact or harm without
consent.
5. The nurse tells a patient, "If you don't take this medication, I'll
call security." The patient takes the medication. This is an example
of:
A) Battery
, B) Assault
C) Defamation
D) Negligence
Answer B: Assault
Rationale: Assault involves the threat of harm that causes fear.
6. A patient is involuntarily confined to a room without legal
justification. This is an example of:
A) Assault
B) Battery
C) False imprisonment
D) Defamation
Answer C: False imprisonment
Rationale: False imprisonment is the unjustified confinement of a
patient against their will.
7. Which of the following is a required element for a malpractice
claim?
A) Intent to harm
Verified Answers with Explained Rationales (2026 Latest Update) –
Comprehensive 250-Question Practice Exam
Questions 1–250
1. A patient refuses to take a prescribed medication. The nurse
respects the patient's decision. This demonstrates which ethical
principle?
A) Beneficence
B) Non-maleficence
C) Autonomy
D) Justice
Answer C: Autonomy
,Rationale: Autonomy respects the patient's right to make their own
healthcare decisions.
2. The nurse administers a medication without checking the
patient's identification. The patient suffers an adverse reaction. This
is an example of:
A) Assault
B) Negligence
C) Battery
D) Defamation
Answer B: Negligence
Rationale: Negligence is failure to act as a reasonably prudent nurse
would, causing harm.
3. A nurse threatens to restrain a patient who refuses to take
medication. This is an example of:
A) Battery
B) Assault
C) False imprisonment
,D) Defamation
Answer B: Assault
Rationale: Assault is threatening or attempting to touch another
person without consent.
4. A nurse physically restrains a patient without an order or
consent. This is an example of:
A) Assault
B) Battery
C) False imprisonment
D) Defamation
Answer B: Battery
Rationale: Battery is the actual physical contact or harm without
consent.
5. The nurse tells a patient, "If you don't take this medication, I'll
call security." The patient takes the medication. This is an example
of:
A) Battery
, B) Assault
C) Defamation
D) Negligence
Answer B: Assault
Rationale: Assault involves the threat of harm that causes fear.
6. A patient is involuntarily confined to a room without legal
justification. This is an example of:
A) Assault
B) Battery
C) False imprisonment
D) Defamation
Answer C: False imprisonment
Rationale: False imprisonment is the unjustified confinement of a
patient against their will.
7. Which of the following is a required element for a malpractice
claim?
A) Intent to harm
