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NUR 190 Final Exam Questions and Answers
In response to a student's question regarding choosing a
psychiatric specialty, a charge nurse states, "Mentally ill clients
need special care. If I were in that position, I'd want a caring nurse
also." From which ethical framework is the charge nurse
operating?
A. Kantianism
B. Christian ethics
C. Ethical egoism
D. Utilitarianism
Ans: ANS: B. Christian ethics
The charge nurse is operating from a Christian ethics framework. The
imperative demand of Christian ethics is to treat others as moral equals
by permitting them to act as we do when they occupy a position similar
to ours. Kantianism states that decisions should be made based on moral
law and that actions are bound by a sense of moral duty. Utilitarianism
holds that decisions should be made focusing on the end result being
happiness. Ethical egoism promotes the idea that what is right is good
for the individual.
During a hiring interview, which response by a nursing applicant
should indicate that the applicant operates from an ethical egoism
framework?
A. "I would want to be treated in a caring manner if I were mentally
ill."
B. "This job will pay the bills, and the workload is light enough for
me."
C. "I will be happy caring for the mentally ill. Working in Med/Surg
kills my back."
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D. "It is my duty in life to be a psychiatric nurse. It is the right
thing to do."
Ans: ANS: B. "This job will pay the bills, and the workload is light
enough for me."
The applicant's comment reflects an ethical egoism framework. This
framework promotes the idea that decisions are made based on what is
good for the individual and may not take the needs of others into
account.
Without authorization, a nurse administers an extra dose of
narcotic tranquilizer to an agitated client. The nurse's coworker
observes this action but does nothing for fear of repercussion.
What is the ethical interpretation of the coworker's lack of
involvement?
A. Taking no action is still considered an unethical action by the
coworker.
B. Taking no action releases the coworker from ethical
responsibility.
C. Taking no action is advised when potential adverse
consequences are foreseen.
D. Taking no action is acceptable because the coworker is only a
bystander.
Ans: ANS: A. Taking no action is still considered an unethical action by
the coworker.
The coworker's lack of involvement can be interpreted as an unethical
action. The coworker is experiencing an ethical dilemma in which a
decision needs to be made between two unfavorable alternatives. The
coworker has a responsibility to report any observed unethical actions.
Group therapy is strongly encouraged, but not mandatory, on an
inpatient psychiatric unit. The unit manager's policy is that clients
can make a choice about whether or not to attend group therapy.
Which ethical principle does the unit manager's policy preserve?
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A. Justice
B. Autonomy
C. Veracity
D. Beneficence
Ans: ANS: B. Autonomy
The unit manager's policy regarding voluntary client participation in
group therapy preserves the ethical principle of autonomy. The principle
of autonomy presumes that individuals are capable of making
independent decisions for themselves and that health-care workers must
respect these decisions.
Which is an example of an intentional tort?
A. A nurse fails to assess a client's obvious symptoms of
neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
B. A nurse physically places an irritating client in four-point
restraints.
C. A nurse makes a medication error and does not report the
incident.
D. A nurse gives patient information to an unauthorized person.
Ans: ANS: B. A nurse physically places an irritating client in four-point
restraints.
A tort is a violation of civil law in which an individual has been wronged
and can be intentional or unintentional. A nurse who physically places
an irritating client in restraints has touched the client without consent
and has committed an intentional tort.
An involuntarily committed client is verbally abusive to the staff
and repeatedly threatening to sue. The client records the full
names and phone numbers of the staff. Which nursing action is
most appropriate to decrease the possibility of a lawsuit?
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A. Verbally redirect the client, and then limit one-on-one
interaction.
B. Involve the hospital's security division as soon as possible.
C. Notify the client that documenting personal staff information is
against hospital policy.
D. Continue professional attempts to establish a positive working
relationship with the client.
Ans: ANS: D. Continue professional attempts to establish a positive
working relationship with the client.
The most appropriate nursing action is to continue professional
attempts to establish a positive working relationship with the client. The
involuntarily committed client should be respected and has the right to
assert grievances if rights are infringed.
Which statement should a nurse identify as correct regarding a
client's right to refuse treatment?
A. Clients can refuse pharmacological but not psychological
treatment.
B. Clients can refuse any treatment at any time.
C. Clients can refuse only electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
D. Professionals can override treatment refusal if the client is
actively suicidal or homicidal.
Ans: ANS: D. Professionals can override treatment refusal if the client is
actively suicidal or homicidal.
The nurse should understand that health-care professionals can override
treatment refusal when a client is actively suicidal or homicidal. A
suicidal or homicidal client who refuses treatment may be a danger to
self or others. This situation should be treated as an emergency, and
treatment may be performed without informed consent.
Which client should a nurse identify as a potential candidate for
involuntary commitment?
© 2025 All rights reserved
NUR 190 Final Exam Questions and Answers
In response to a student's question regarding choosing a
psychiatric specialty, a charge nurse states, "Mentally ill clients
need special care. If I were in that position, I'd want a caring nurse
also." From which ethical framework is the charge nurse
operating?
A. Kantianism
B. Christian ethics
C. Ethical egoism
D. Utilitarianism
Ans: ANS: B. Christian ethics
The charge nurse is operating from a Christian ethics framework. The
imperative demand of Christian ethics is to treat others as moral equals
by permitting them to act as we do when they occupy a position similar
to ours. Kantianism states that decisions should be made based on moral
law and that actions are bound by a sense of moral duty. Utilitarianism
holds that decisions should be made focusing on the end result being
happiness. Ethical egoism promotes the idea that what is right is good
for the individual.
During a hiring interview, which response by a nursing applicant
should indicate that the applicant operates from an ethical egoism
framework?
A. "I would want to be treated in a caring manner if I were mentally
ill."
B. "This job will pay the bills, and the workload is light enough for
me."
C. "I will be happy caring for the mentally ill. Working in Med/Surg
kills my back."
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
D. "It is my duty in life to be a psychiatric nurse. It is the right
thing to do."
Ans: ANS: B. "This job will pay the bills, and the workload is light
enough for me."
The applicant's comment reflects an ethical egoism framework. This
framework promotes the idea that decisions are made based on what is
good for the individual and may not take the needs of others into
account.
Without authorization, a nurse administers an extra dose of
narcotic tranquilizer to an agitated client. The nurse's coworker
observes this action but does nothing for fear of repercussion.
What is the ethical interpretation of the coworker's lack of
involvement?
A. Taking no action is still considered an unethical action by the
coworker.
B. Taking no action releases the coworker from ethical
responsibility.
C. Taking no action is advised when potential adverse
consequences are foreseen.
D. Taking no action is acceptable because the coworker is only a
bystander.
Ans: ANS: A. Taking no action is still considered an unethical action by
the coworker.
The coworker's lack of involvement can be interpreted as an unethical
action. The coworker is experiencing an ethical dilemma in which a
decision needs to be made between two unfavorable alternatives. The
coworker has a responsibility to report any observed unethical actions.
Group therapy is strongly encouraged, but not mandatory, on an
inpatient psychiatric unit. The unit manager's policy is that clients
can make a choice about whether or not to attend group therapy.
Which ethical principle does the unit manager's policy preserve?
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
A. Justice
B. Autonomy
C. Veracity
D. Beneficence
Ans: ANS: B. Autonomy
The unit manager's policy regarding voluntary client participation in
group therapy preserves the ethical principle of autonomy. The principle
of autonomy presumes that individuals are capable of making
independent decisions for themselves and that health-care workers must
respect these decisions.
Which is an example of an intentional tort?
A. A nurse fails to assess a client's obvious symptoms of
neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
B. A nurse physically places an irritating client in four-point
restraints.
C. A nurse makes a medication error and does not report the
incident.
D. A nurse gives patient information to an unauthorized person.
Ans: ANS: B. A nurse physically places an irritating client in four-point
restraints.
A tort is a violation of civil law in which an individual has been wronged
and can be intentional or unintentional. A nurse who physically places
an irritating client in restraints has touched the client without consent
and has committed an intentional tort.
An involuntarily committed client is verbally abusive to the staff
and repeatedly threatening to sue. The client records the full
names and phone numbers of the staff. Which nursing action is
most appropriate to decrease the possibility of a lawsuit?
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 4 | Page
A. Verbally redirect the client, and then limit one-on-one
interaction.
B. Involve the hospital's security division as soon as possible.
C. Notify the client that documenting personal staff information is
against hospital policy.
D. Continue professional attempts to establish a positive working
relationship with the client.
Ans: ANS: D. Continue professional attempts to establish a positive
working relationship with the client.
The most appropriate nursing action is to continue professional
attempts to establish a positive working relationship with the client. The
involuntarily committed client should be respected and has the right to
assert grievances if rights are infringed.
Which statement should a nurse identify as correct regarding a
client's right to refuse treatment?
A. Clients can refuse pharmacological but not psychological
treatment.
B. Clients can refuse any treatment at any time.
C. Clients can refuse only electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
D. Professionals can override treatment refusal if the client is
actively suicidal or homicidal.
Ans: ANS: D. Professionals can override treatment refusal if the client is
actively suicidal or homicidal.
The nurse should understand that health-care professionals can override
treatment refusal when a client is actively suicidal or homicidal. A
suicidal or homicidal client who refuses treatment may be a danger to
self or others. This situation should be treated as an emergency, and
treatment may be performed without informed consent.
Which client should a nurse identify as a potential candidate for
involuntary commitment?
© 2025 All rights reserved
