A client asks why a diagnostic test has been ordered and the nurse replies, "I'm unsure but
will find out for you." When the nurse later returns and provides an explanation, the nurse is
acting under which principle?
1. Nonmaleficence
2. Veracity
3. Beneficence
4. Fidelity
Answer: 4
Rationale: Fidelity means being faithful to agreements and promises. This nurse is acting on
the client's behalf to obtain needed information and report it back to the client.
Nonmaleficence is the duty to do no harm. Veracity refers to telling the truth for example,
not lying to a client about a serious prognosis. Beneficence means doing good, such as by
implementing actions (e.g. keeping a salt shaker out of sight) that benefit a client (heart
condition requiring sodium-restricted diet).
Cognitive Level: Understanding
Client Need: Management of Care
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
Content Area: Fundamentals
,Strategy: Use the process of elimination. The correct answer is the one that matches the
description in the stem; that is, the nurse made a promise to a client and kept it, which
constitutes fidelity.
,An individual has a seizure while walking down the street. During the seizure, a nurse from a
physician's office is noticed driving past without stopping to assist. The individual sues the
nurse for negligence but fails to win a judgement for which reason?
1. The nurse had no duty to the individual.
2. The nurse did what most nurses would do in the same circumstance.
3. The nurse did not cause the client's injuries.
4. The nurse was off-duty at the time.
Answer: 1
Rationale: To be guilty of negligence, the nurse must have a relationship with the client that
involves a duty to provide care. The relationship is usually a component of employment. The
nurse did not necessarily do what others would do in this situation. Although the nurse did
not cause the client's injuries, it does not prevent the nurse from assisting in this situation.
Although the nurse was off-duty, the nurse could have assisted if motivated to do so.
Cognitive Level: Understanding
Client Need: Management of Care
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
Content Area: Fundamentals
Strategy: Use the process of elimination and nursing knowledge. The correct answer is the
, one that recognizes that the nurse was not in the role of employee at the time of the
incident, removing the requirement of acting on the client's behalf.
will find out for you." When the nurse later returns and provides an explanation, the nurse is
acting under which principle?
1. Nonmaleficence
2. Veracity
3. Beneficence
4. Fidelity
Answer: 4
Rationale: Fidelity means being faithful to agreements and promises. This nurse is acting on
the client's behalf to obtain needed information and report it back to the client.
Nonmaleficence is the duty to do no harm. Veracity refers to telling the truth for example,
not lying to a client about a serious prognosis. Beneficence means doing good, such as by
implementing actions (e.g. keeping a salt shaker out of sight) that benefit a client (heart
condition requiring sodium-restricted diet).
Cognitive Level: Understanding
Client Need: Management of Care
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
Content Area: Fundamentals
,Strategy: Use the process of elimination. The correct answer is the one that matches the
description in the stem; that is, the nurse made a promise to a client and kept it, which
constitutes fidelity.
,An individual has a seizure while walking down the street. During the seizure, a nurse from a
physician's office is noticed driving past without stopping to assist. The individual sues the
nurse for negligence but fails to win a judgement for which reason?
1. The nurse had no duty to the individual.
2. The nurse did what most nurses would do in the same circumstance.
3. The nurse did not cause the client's injuries.
4. The nurse was off-duty at the time.
Answer: 1
Rationale: To be guilty of negligence, the nurse must have a relationship with the client that
involves a duty to provide care. The relationship is usually a component of employment. The
nurse did not necessarily do what others would do in this situation. Although the nurse did
not cause the client's injuries, it does not prevent the nurse from assisting in this situation.
Although the nurse was off-duty, the nurse could have assisted if motivated to do so.
Cognitive Level: Understanding
Client Need: Management of Care
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
Content Area: Fundamentals
Strategy: Use the process of elimination and nursing knowledge. The correct answer is the
, one that recognizes that the nurse was not in the role of employee at the time of the
incident, removing the requirement of acting on the client's behalf.
