Ethics Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026 Q&A|
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Question 1
A nurse is caring for a terminally ill patient who refuses life-sustaining treatment.
The patient is competent and has made an informed decision. Which ethical
principle should guide the nurse's actions?
A. Beneficence – doing good for the patient
B. Non-maleficence – avoiding harm
C. Autonomy – respecting the patient's right to self-determination
D. Justice – fair distribution of resources
Answer: C
Rationale: Autonomy is the ethical principle that respects a patient's right to make
informed decisions about their own medical care, including the right to refuse
treatment. A competent adult patient's refusal must be honored even if the nurse
disagrees with the decision. Beneficence (doing good) does not override a
competent patient's autonomous choice.
Question 2
A nurse discovers that a colleague administered the wrong medication to a
patient. The patient was not harmed. The colleague asks the nurse not to report
the error. Under the ANA Code of Ethics, the nurse should:
A. Agree not to report the error since no harm occurred
B. Report the error to the appropriate supervisor because the nurse has a duty to
,be accountable for nursing judgments and actions, and to promote a culture of
safety
C. Document the error but not report it to protect the colleague
D. Ignore the error because reporting would damage team morale
Answer: B
Rationale: The ANA Code of Ethics Provision 4 requires nurses to be accountable
for their own actions and to report errors. Provision 6 addresses the nurse's duty
to create a culture of safety and accountability. Reporting medication errors
promotes learning and system improvements, not punishment, and protects future
patients.
Question 3
A nurse is assigned to care for a patient who is a convicted murderer. The nurse
feels uncomfortable and asks to be reassigned. Which statement best reflects the
ethical obligation of the nurse?
A. The nurse may refuse to care for any patient who makes the nurse
uncomfortable
B. The nurse must provide nonjudgmental care to all patients regardless of
personal beliefs, as nursing care is based on patient need, not on the nurse's
personal values
C. The nurse may provide care only if the patient apologizes for past actions
D. The nurse may provide minimal care to avoid ethical distress
Answer: B
Rationale: The ANA Code of Ethics Provision 1 states that nurses practice with
compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of
every person. Provision 8 addresses the nurse's duty to collaborate with patients
and other professionals to provide care regardless of personal attributes. Care is
based on patient need, not on the nurse's judgment of the patient's past actions.
, Question 4
A patient with decision-making capacity refuses a blood transfusion based on
religious beliefs (Jehovah's Witness). The physician orders the transfusion anyway.
The nurse should:
A. Administer the transfusion because the physician ordered it
B. Respect the patient's refusal, inform the physician, and not administer the
transfusion
C. Administer the transfusion but document the patient's objection
D. Call the hospital ethics committee after administering the transfusion
Answer: B
Rationale: A competent adult patient has the legal and ethical right to refuse
medical treatment, including blood transfusions, even if the refusal may lead to
death. The nurse must respect patient autonomy. Administering treatment against
a competent patient's will constitutes battery. The nurse should notify the
physician and document the patient's refusal.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a patient at the end of life. The patient is in severe pain. The
physician orders morphine at a dose that may potentially hasten death as an
unintended secondary effect. This is ethically permissible under which ethical
principle?
A. Autonomy
B. Non-maleficence
C. Principle of double effect
D. Justice
Answer: C
Rationale: The principle of double effect holds that an action with both good and
bad effects is ethically permissible if: (1) the action itself is good or neutral, (2) the
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026 Q&A|
Instant Download Pdf
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a terminally ill patient who refuses life-sustaining treatment.
The patient is competent and has made an informed decision. Which ethical
principle should guide the nurse's actions?
A. Beneficence – doing good for the patient
B. Non-maleficence – avoiding harm
C. Autonomy – respecting the patient's right to self-determination
D. Justice – fair distribution of resources
Answer: C
Rationale: Autonomy is the ethical principle that respects a patient's right to make
informed decisions about their own medical care, including the right to refuse
treatment. A competent adult patient's refusal must be honored even if the nurse
disagrees with the decision. Beneficence (doing good) does not override a
competent patient's autonomous choice.
Question 2
A nurse discovers that a colleague administered the wrong medication to a
patient. The patient was not harmed. The colleague asks the nurse not to report
the error. Under the ANA Code of Ethics, the nurse should:
A. Agree not to report the error since no harm occurred
B. Report the error to the appropriate supervisor because the nurse has a duty to
,be accountable for nursing judgments and actions, and to promote a culture of
safety
C. Document the error but not report it to protect the colleague
D. Ignore the error because reporting would damage team morale
Answer: B
Rationale: The ANA Code of Ethics Provision 4 requires nurses to be accountable
for their own actions and to report errors. Provision 6 addresses the nurse's duty
to create a culture of safety and accountability. Reporting medication errors
promotes learning and system improvements, not punishment, and protects future
patients.
Question 3
A nurse is assigned to care for a patient who is a convicted murderer. The nurse
feels uncomfortable and asks to be reassigned. Which statement best reflects the
ethical obligation of the nurse?
A. The nurse may refuse to care for any patient who makes the nurse
uncomfortable
B. The nurse must provide nonjudgmental care to all patients regardless of
personal beliefs, as nursing care is based on patient need, not on the nurse's
personal values
C. The nurse may provide care only if the patient apologizes for past actions
D. The nurse may provide minimal care to avoid ethical distress
Answer: B
Rationale: The ANA Code of Ethics Provision 1 states that nurses practice with
compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of
every person. Provision 8 addresses the nurse's duty to collaborate with patients
and other professionals to provide care regardless of personal attributes. Care is
based on patient need, not on the nurse's judgment of the patient's past actions.
, Question 4
A patient with decision-making capacity refuses a blood transfusion based on
religious beliefs (Jehovah's Witness). The physician orders the transfusion anyway.
The nurse should:
A. Administer the transfusion because the physician ordered it
B. Respect the patient's refusal, inform the physician, and not administer the
transfusion
C. Administer the transfusion but document the patient's objection
D. Call the hospital ethics committee after administering the transfusion
Answer: B
Rationale: A competent adult patient has the legal and ethical right to refuse
medical treatment, including blood transfusions, even if the refusal may lead to
death. The nurse must respect patient autonomy. Administering treatment against
a competent patient's will constitutes battery. The nurse should notify the
physician and document the patient's refusal.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a patient at the end of life. The patient is in severe pain. The
physician orders morphine at a dose that may potentially hasten death as an
unintended secondary effect. This is ethically permissible under which ethical
principle?
A. Autonomy
B. Non-maleficence
C. Principle of double effect
D. Justice
Answer: C
Rationale: The principle of double effect holds that an action with both good and
bad effects is ethically permissible if: (1) the action itself is good or neutral, (2) the
