WGU Nursing Ethics Assessment PRACTICE
TEST 2026 | QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS &
DETAILED EXPLANATIONS STUDY GUIDE
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR INSTANT
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,WGU Nursing Ethics Assessment
100 Questions with Answers and Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a prescribed blood transfusion due
to religious beliefs. The patient is competent and has signed an informed refusal.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Administer the transfusion anyway to save the patient's life.
B. Respect the patient's decision and document the refusal.
,C. Ask the family to convince the patient to accept the transfusion.
D. Obtain a court order to override the refusal.
Answer: B
Rationale: Autonomy is the ethical principle that respects a competent patient's
right to make decisions about their own care, even if it conflicts with medical
recommendations. The nurse must respect and document the refusal.
2. Which ethical principle is best described as "doing no harm"?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Nonmaleficence
D. Justice
, Answer: C
Rationale: Nonmaleficence means "do no harm." It is distinct from beneficence,
which is "do good." Nurses must avoid causing unnecessary harm.
3. A nurse is allocating scarce resources during a mass casualty event. Which
ethical principle guides the fair distribution of resources?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Fidelity
D. Veracity
Answer: B
TEST 2026 | QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS &
DETAILED EXPLANATIONS STUDY GUIDE
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
,WGU Nursing Ethics Assessment
100 Questions with Answers and Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a prescribed blood transfusion due
to religious beliefs. The patient is competent and has signed an informed refusal.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Administer the transfusion anyway to save the patient's life.
B. Respect the patient's decision and document the refusal.
,C. Ask the family to convince the patient to accept the transfusion.
D. Obtain a court order to override the refusal.
Answer: B
Rationale: Autonomy is the ethical principle that respects a competent patient's
right to make decisions about their own care, even if it conflicts with medical
recommendations. The nurse must respect and document the refusal.
2. Which ethical principle is best described as "doing no harm"?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Nonmaleficence
D. Justice
, Answer: C
Rationale: Nonmaleficence means "do no harm." It is distinct from beneficence,
which is "do good." Nurses must avoid causing unnecessary harm.
3. A nurse is allocating scarce resources during a mass casualty event. Which
ethical principle guides the fair distribution of resources?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Fidelity
D. Veracity
Answer: B