Varcarolis Chapter
Varcarolis
6 Legal
Chapter
& Ethical
6 Legal
Basis&for
Ethical
Practice
Basis
Questions
for Practice
& Answers
Questions
2026_2027
& Answers
_ Study
2026_2027
Guide _& Study
Exam Guide
Prep.pdf
& Exam Prep.pdf Page 1
Varcarolis Chapter 6 Legal & Ethical
Basis for Practice Questions &
Answers 2026/2027 | Study Guide &
Exam Prep
Page 1 of 31 Varcarolis Chapter 6 Legal & Ethical Basis
Pagefor1Practice
of 31 Questions & Answers 2026_2027 _ Study Guide & Exam Prep.pdf
,Varcarolis Ch. 6_ Legal and Ethical Basis for Practice.pdf Varcarolis Ch. 6_ Legal and Ethical Basis for Practice.pdf Page 2
A psychiatric nurse best implements the ethical principle of autonomy when he or she:
a. intervenes when a self-mutilating patient attempts to harm self.
b. stays with a patient who is demonstrating a high level of anxiety.
c. suggests that two patients who are fighting be restricted to the unit.
d. explores alternative solutions with a patient, who then makes a choice.
d. explores alternative solutions with a patient, who then makes a choice.
Autonomy is the right to self-determination, that is, to make ones own decisions. When the
nurse explores alternatives with the patient, the patient is better equipped to make an
informed, autonomous decision. Staying with a highly anxious patient or intervening with a
self-mutilating patient demonstrates beneficence and fidelity. Suggesting that two fighting
patients be restricted to the unit demonstrates the principles of fidelity and justice.
Page 2 of 31 Page 2 of 31 Varcarolis Ch. 6_ Legal and Ethical Basis for Practice.pdf
,Varcarolis Ch. 6_ Legal and Ethical Basis for Practice.pdf Varcarolis Ch. 6_ Legal and Ethical Basis for Practice.pdf Page 3
Which action by a psychiatric nurse best supports a patients right to be treated with dignity
and respect?
a. Consistently addressing a patient by title and surname.
b. Strongly encouraging a patient to participate in the unit milieu.
c. Discussing a patients condition with another health care provider in the elevator.
d. Informing a treatment team that a patient is too drowsy to participate in care planning.
a. Consistently addressing a patient by title and surname.
A simple way of showing respect is to address the patient by title and surname rather than
assuming that the patient would wish to be called by his or her first name. Discussing a
patients condition with a health care provider in the elevator violates confidentiality.
Informing a treatment team that the patient is too drowsy to participate in care planning
violates patient autonomy. Encouraging a patient to participate in the unit milieu exemplifies
beneficence and fidelity.
Page 3 of 31 Page 3 of 31 Varcarolis Ch. 6_ Legal and Ethical Basis for Practice.pdf
, Varcarolis Ch. 6_ Legal and Ethical Basis for Practice.pdf Varcarolis Ch. 6_ Legal and Ethical Basis for Practice.pdf Page 4
Two hospitalized patients fight when they are in the same room. During a team meeting, a
nurse asserts that safety is of paramount importance and therefore the treatment plans
should call for both patients to be secluded to prevent them from injuring each other. This
assertion:
a. reveals that the nurse values the principle of justice.
b. reinforces the autonomy of the two patients.
c. violates the civil rights of the two patients.
d. represents the intentional tort of battery.
c. violates the civil rights of the two patients.
Patients have a right to treatment in the least restrictive setting. Less restrictive measures
should be tried first. Unnecessary seclusion may result in a charge of false imprisonment.
Seclusion removes the patients autonomy. The principle by which the nurse is motivated is
beneficence, not justice. The tort represented is false imprisonment, not battery.
Page 4 of 31 Page 4 of 31 Varcarolis Ch. 6_ Legal and Ethical Basis for Practice.pdf
Varcarolis
6 Legal
Chapter
& Ethical
6 Legal
Basis&for
Ethical
Practice
Basis
Questions
for Practice
& Answers
Questions
2026_2027
& Answers
_ Study
2026_2027
Guide _& Study
Exam Guide
Prep.pdf
& Exam Prep.pdf Page 1
Varcarolis Chapter 6 Legal & Ethical
Basis for Practice Questions &
Answers 2026/2027 | Study Guide &
Exam Prep
Page 1 of 31 Varcarolis Chapter 6 Legal & Ethical Basis
Pagefor1Practice
of 31 Questions & Answers 2026_2027 _ Study Guide & Exam Prep.pdf
,Varcarolis Ch. 6_ Legal and Ethical Basis for Practice.pdf Varcarolis Ch. 6_ Legal and Ethical Basis for Practice.pdf Page 2
A psychiatric nurse best implements the ethical principle of autonomy when he or she:
a. intervenes when a self-mutilating patient attempts to harm self.
b. stays with a patient who is demonstrating a high level of anxiety.
c. suggests that two patients who are fighting be restricted to the unit.
d. explores alternative solutions with a patient, who then makes a choice.
d. explores alternative solutions with a patient, who then makes a choice.
Autonomy is the right to self-determination, that is, to make ones own decisions. When the
nurse explores alternatives with the patient, the patient is better equipped to make an
informed, autonomous decision. Staying with a highly anxious patient or intervening with a
self-mutilating patient demonstrates beneficence and fidelity. Suggesting that two fighting
patients be restricted to the unit demonstrates the principles of fidelity and justice.
Page 2 of 31 Page 2 of 31 Varcarolis Ch. 6_ Legal and Ethical Basis for Practice.pdf
,Varcarolis Ch. 6_ Legal and Ethical Basis for Practice.pdf Varcarolis Ch. 6_ Legal and Ethical Basis for Practice.pdf Page 3
Which action by a psychiatric nurse best supports a patients right to be treated with dignity
and respect?
a. Consistently addressing a patient by title and surname.
b. Strongly encouraging a patient to participate in the unit milieu.
c. Discussing a patients condition with another health care provider in the elevator.
d. Informing a treatment team that a patient is too drowsy to participate in care planning.
a. Consistently addressing a patient by title and surname.
A simple way of showing respect is to address the patient by title and surname rather than
assuming that the patient would wish to be called by his or her first name. Discussing a
patients condition with a health care provider in the elevator violates confidentiality.
Informing a treatment team that the patient is too drowsy to participate in care planning
violates patient autonomy. Encouraging a patient to participate in the unit milieu exemplifies
beneficence and fidelity.
Page 3 of 31 Page 3 of 31 Varcarolis Ch. 6_ Legal and Ethical Basis for Practice.pdf
, Varcarolis Ch. 6_ Legal and Ethical Basis for Practice.pdf Varcarolis Ch. 6_ Legal and Ethical Basis for Practice.pdf Page 4
Two hospitalized patients fight when they are in the same room. During a team meeting, a
nurse asserts that safety is of paramount importance and therefore the treatment plans
should call for both patients to be secluded to prevent them from injuring each other. This
assertion:
a. reveals that the nurse values the principle of justice.
b. reinforces the autonomy of the two patients.
c. violates the civil rights of the two patients.
d. represents the intentional tort of battery.
c. violates the civil rights of the two patients.
Patients have a right to treatment in the least restrictive setting. Less restrictive measures
should be tried first. Unnecessary seclusion may result in a charge of false imprisonment.
Seclusion removes the patients autonomy. The principle by which the nurse is motivated is
beneficence, not justice. The tort represented is false imprisonment, not battery.
Page 4 of 31 Page 4 of 31 Varcarolis Ch. 6_ Legal and Ethical Basis for Practice.pdf
