BSN 111 Final Exam Practice Questions

Four patients in labor all request epidural analgesia to manage their pain at the same time. Which ethical principle is compromised when only one nurse anaesthetist is on call? A. Justice B. Nonmaleficence C. Beneficence D. Fidelity - ANS: A Justice refers to fairness and is used frequently in discussion regarding access to health care resources. Here the just distribution of resources, in this case pain management, cannot be justly apportioned. The patient tells the nurse that she is afraid to speak up regarding her desire to end care for fear of upsetting her husband and children. Which principle in the nursing code of ethics ensures that the nurse will promote the patient's cause? A. Responsibility B. Advocacy C. Confidentiality D. Accountability - ANS: B Nurses advocate for patients when they support the patient's cause. A nurse's ability to adequate advocate for a patient is based on the unique relationship that develops and the opportunity to better understand the patient's point of view. The patient's son requests to view the documentation in his mother's medical record. What is the nurse's best response to this request? A."I'll be happy to get that for you." B. "You will have to talk to the physician about that." C."You will need your mother's permission." D."You are not allowed to see it. - ANS: C The nurse understands that sharing health information is governed by HIPAA legislation, which defines rights and privileges of patients for protection of privacy. Private health information cannot be shared without the patient's specific permission. When people work together to solve ethical dilemmas, individuals must examine their own values. This step is crucial to ensure that A. The group identifies the one correct solution. B. Fact is separated from opinion. C. Judgmental attitudes are not provoked. D. Different perspectives are respected - ANS: D Values are personal beliefs that influence opinions. To be able to negotiate differences in opinions, the nurse must first be clear about personal values, which will influence behaviors, decisions, and actions. Ethical dilemmas are common occurrences when caring for patients. The nurse understands that dilemmas are a result of A. Presence of conflicting values. B. Hierarchical systems. C. Judgmental perceptions of patients. D. Poor communication with the patient. - ANS: A The nurse questions a physician's order to administer a placebo to the patient. The nurse's action is based on which ethical principle? A. Autonomy B. Beneficence C. Justice D. Fidelity - ANS: A Autonomy refers to the freedom to make decisions free of external control. In this case, the nurse questions the physician's order for a placebo because it supports the patient's autonomy. The nurse finds it difficult to care for a patient whose advance directive states that no extraordinary resuscitation measures should be taken. Which step may help the nurse to find resolution in this assignment? A. Call for an ethical committee consult. B. Decline the assignment on religious grounds. C. Scrutinize her own personal values. D. Convince the family to challenge the directive - ANS: C Values develop over time and are influenced by family, schools, religious traditions, and life experiences. The nurse must recognize that no two humans have the same set of experiences, and so differences in values are more likely the norm than the exception. The nurse values autonomy above all other principles. Which patient assignment will the nurse find most difficult to accept? A. Teenager in labor who requests epidural anesthesia B. Middle-aged father of three with an advance directive declining life support C. Elderly patient who requires dialysis D. Family elder who is making the decisions for a 30-year-old female member - ANS: D Autonomy refers to freedom from external control. A person who values autonomy highly may find it difficult to accept situations where the patient is not the primary decision maker regarding his or her care. A teenager requesting an epidural, a father with an advanced directive, and an elderly patient requiring dialysis all describe a patient or family that can make their own decisions and choices regarding care