Chapter 5–Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Care

MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. The nurse is providing care for a client who is 18 years old. Which of the following ethical principles should be implemented for this client? 1. Liberty 2. Agency 3. Justice 4. Autonomy ANS: 4 A person who is at least 18 years of age and can make reasoned choices has autonomy and is free to make decisions regarding his own health care. Liberty is a characteristic of autonomy. Justice is an ethical principle that supports all people seeking health care receiving the best treatment available with dignity and respect. Agency is another characteristic of autonomy that means the capacity for intentional action. PTS: 1 DIF: Apply REF: Principles of Clinical Ethics 1. A client, being treated with chemotherapy and radiation for terminal cancer, decides to stop any further treatment and enter the hospice program. The nurse realizes this client‟s decision is supported by the ethical principle of: 1. autonomy. 2. nonmaleficence. 3. beneficence. 4. justice. ANS: 2 Nonmaleficence is the use of ability, judgment, or skill to help someone else without intent to cause injury or harm. In this case, nonmaleficence can support the option of not providing further aggressive or invasive treatment that could cause injury or harm. Autonomy is a self-rule that is free from interference by others and from limitations that prevent a meaningful choice. Beneficence means to be of benefit to others. Justice is a principle whereby all people who seek health care should receive the best possible treatment available with dignity and respect. PTS: 1 DIF: Analyze REF: Principles of Clinical Ethics 1. The care a nurse provides to clients is considered as being a benefit to their health and recovery. The principle that supports the nurse‟s behavior is considered: 1. autonomy. 2. nonmaleficence. 3. beneficence. 4. justice. ANS: 3 Justice requires that all cases are treated in like fashion. Beneficence requires that actions are of benefit to others. Autonomy is self-rule that is free from controlling influence by others and from limitations such as inadequate understanding. Nonmaleficence means “do no harm.” PTS: 1 DIF: Analyze REF: Principles of Clinical Ethics 1. A client recovering from surgery does not want to move out of bed because of pain. The nurse explains the long-term effects of staying in bed and the benefits of movement. The client agrees and is assisted out of bed. This is an example of: 1. autonomy. 2. nonmaleficence. 3. beneficence. 4. justice. ANS: 3 Beneficence requires that actions are of benefit to others even if the nurse must first cause harm (pain). Autonomy is self-rule that is free from controlling influence by others and from limitations such as inadequate understanding. Nonmaleficence means “do no harm.” Justice requires that cases are treated in like fashion.