Nursing Process and Ethical Decision-Making: A Comprehensive Guide for Nurses

Question 1

In the planning phase of the nursing process, what is the primary responsibility of the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Identifying expected patient outcomes

Answer

Gathering patient assessment data

Answer

Implementing nursing interventions

Answer

Evaluating patient responses

Question 2

The concept of beneficence in nursing ethics primarily emphasizes the importance of:

Accepted Answer

Promoting patient well-being

Answer

Preventing harm to patients

Answer

Respecting patient autonomy

Answer

Ensuring patient confidentiality

Question 3

According to professional guidelines, ethical considerations should be documented in a patient's medical record:

Accepted Answer

As a routine part of nursing care

Answer

Only upon the patient's request

Answer

Only in situations involving conflicts or concerns

Answer

Never

Question 4

How does the nursing process support ethical decision-making in nursing practice?

Accepted Answer

Provides a structured framework for consistent ethical consideration.

Answer

Eliminates the need for separate ethical analysis.

Answer

Restricts ethical considerations to the planning phase of the nursing process.

Question 5

Ethical issues are most appropriately identified during which step of the nursing process?

Accepted Answer

Assessment

Answer

Planning

Answer

Implementation

Answer

Evaluation

Question 6

When should ethical decision-making be integrated into the nursing process?

Accepted Answer

Throughout all stages

Answer

Only during the planning stage

Answer

Only during the evaluation stage

Answer

Only during the assessment stage

Question 7

What should a nurse do when faced with an ethical dilemma?

Accepted Answer

Seek guidance from a supervisor or ethics committee

Answer

Follow the orders of the physician

Answer

Ignore the dilemma and focus on patient care

Answer

Make a decision based on personal beliefs

Question 8

What is the primary goal of ethical decision-making in nursing?

Accepted Answer

To maximize patient benefit and minimize patient harm

Answer

To protect the rights of the nurse

Answer

To avoid legal liability

Answer

To ensure organizational efficiency

Question 9

Which of the following ethical theories emphasizes the consequences of actions?

Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Deontology

Answer

Virtue ethics

Answer

Natural law theory

Question 10

In a situation where a patient's wishes conflict with the nurse's professional judgment, the nurse should prioritize:

Accepted Answer

Balancing both perspectives while considering legal and ethical guidelines

Answer

Patient's wishes

Answer

Nurse's judgment

Answer

Seeking legal guidance before making a decision

Question 11

Informed consent is crucial in nursing because it ensures:

Accepted Answer

Patient's understanding, voluntary participation, and decision-making capacity in treatment

Answer

Nurse's legal protection

Answer

Family's approval

Answer

Hospital's liability

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a morally sensitive nurse?

Accepted Answer

Ignores patient's values and preferences

Answer

Recognizes ethical dilemmas

Answer

Balances compassion and professionalism

Answer

Advocates for patient's rights

Question 13

The interdisciplinary approach to ethical decision-making involves:

Accepted Answer

Collaboration among professionals from different disciplines, including nursing, medicine, social work, and ethics committees

Answer

Nurse's sole responsibility

Answer

Patient's family's input only

Answer

Legal consultation alone

Question 14

Which ethical principle would most directly support a nurse's decision to advocate for a patient's right to refuse life-sustaining treatment?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 15

A nurse notices that a patient's medical chart contains inaccurate or incomplete information. The nurse's ethical obligation in this situation is to:

Accepted Answer

Report the discrepancy to the physician and document the error

Answer

Ignore the issue to avoid conflict

Answer

Make changes to the chart without authorization

Answer

Ask the patient to verify the information without informing the physician

Question 16

Which ethical principle grants individuals the right to make autonomous decisions about their own healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 17

When nurses prioritize actions that benefit the patient, they are guided by the principle of:

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 18

The purpose of the Nursing Code of Ethics is to provide:

Accepted Answer

General principles to guide ethical decision-making

Answer

Comprehensive instructions for solving ethical dilemmas

Answer

Legal mandates for nursing actions

Answer

A ranking of ethical priorities

Question 19

When faced with an ethical dilemma, the initial step for a nurse should be to:

Accepted Answer

Identify and clarify relevant ethical principles

Answer

Consult supervisors or colleagues for guidance

Answer

Make a decision based on personal preferences

Answer

Document the situation

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT considered a potential barrier to ethical decision-making in nursing practice?

Accepted Answer

Clear ethical guidelines

Answer

Personal biases

Answer

Limited knowledge or experience

Answer

Organizational culture

Question 21

Shared decision-making in nursing practice emphasizes:

Accepted Answer

Collaborative decision-making between the nurse and patient

Answer

The nurse's unilateral authority in decision-making

Answer

The patient's exclusive right to make all healthcare decisions

Answer

Prioritizing the nurse's professional judgment

Question 22

In the nursing process, which step is focused on gathering information about the patient's health status?

Accepted Answer

Assessment

Answer

Diagnosis

Answer

Planning

Answer

Implementation

Question 23

In ethical decision-making, why is it important to consider cultural sensitivity?

Accepted Answer

Respecting cultural values enhances patient care and trust.

Answer

Cultural differences play no role in ethical decision-making.

Answer

Nurses should always impose their own cultural beliefs on patients.

Answer

Cultural considerations are irrelevant to the nursing profession.

Question 24

When a patient's condition changes, which step of the nursing process should be revisited?

Accepted Answer

Assessment

Answer

Diagnosis

Answer

Planning

Answer

Implementation

Question 25

How do ethical considerations differ from legal considerations in nursing practice?

Accepted Answer

Ethical and legal considerations overlap and can sometimes conflict.

Answer

Ethical considerations are always subjective, while legal considerations are objective.

Answer

Ethical and legal considerations are fundamentally distinct.

Answer

Ethical considerations are more important than legal considerations.

Question 26

Which ethical issue is particularly relevant to decision-making at the end of a patient's life?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Justice

Question 27

Which nursing action is most appropriate when a patient expresses moral distress?

Accepted Answer

Encouraging the patient to talk about their feelings

Answer

Ignoring the patient's concerns

Answer

Providing clear instructions and tasks

Answer

Administering medication to relieve anxiety

Question 28

When faced with ethical conflicts in the workplace, what is the most effective approach to resolve them?

Accepted Answer

Having an open and respectful discussion to find a resolution.

Answer

Avoiding the conflict and hoping it will disappear.

Answer

Escalating the conflict to higher authorities without attempting to resolve it.

Answer

Ignoring ethical concerns and prioritizing medical needs.

Question 29

Which ethical principle emphasizes respect for the autonomy and choices of individuals?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 30

In the context of nursing, informed consent refers to:

Accepted Answer

A patient's agreement to receive treatment after fully understanding the risks and benefits, as well as alternatives.

Answer

A doctor's approval of a patient's decision to refuse treatment.

Answer

A patient's request for additional information about a treatment plan.

Answer

A nurse's obligation to advocate for a patient's wishes.

Question 31

The ethical principle of justice emphasizes:

Accepted Answer

Treating all patients fairly and equitably, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Answer

Prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable patients.

Answer

Respecting the autonomy of individual patients.

Answer

Balancing the risks and benefits of treatment options.

Question 32

The ethical principle of beneficence requires nurses to:

Accepted Answer

Do good and prevent harm to patients.

Answer

Respect patients' autonomy and choices.

Answer

Treat all patients fairly and equitably.

Answer

Maintain confidentiality of patient information.

Question 33

When faced with an ethical dilemma, nurses should:

Accepted Answer

Consider the ethical principles, relevant laws and regulations, and the specific situation of the patient.

Answer

Follow hospital policies and procedures whenever possible.

Answer

Decide based solely on their personal beliefs.

Answer

Consult with their supervisor for guidance.

Question 34

How do personal values and biases influence ethical decision-making in nursing practice?

Accepted Answer

They should be acknowledged and examined to make more informed ethical decisions.

Answer

They have no impact on ethical decision-making.

Answer

They should be disregarded entirely in favor of established ethical principles.

Answer

They should be kept private to avoid influencing others.

Question 35

Ethical codes and guidelines are essential for ethical nursing practice. How do they contribute to ethical decision-making?

Accepted Answer

By establishing a framework for ethical reasoning and judgments

Answer

By ensuring nurses always prioritize patient autonomy

Answer

By eliminating the need for nurses to consider individual patient circumstances

Answer

By providing legal protection against ethical misconduct

Question 36

In an interdisciplinary healthcare setting, ethical decision-making should involve:

Accepted Answer

Seeking input from all relevant healthcare professionals

Answer

Consulting only the patient and their caregiver

Answer

Following the physician's orders without question

Answer

Prioritizing personal values and beliefs

Question 37

How do personal values and biases affect ethical decision-making in nursing?

Accepted Answer

They can lead nurses to prioritize their own beliefs over patients' needs.

Answer

They can help nurses understand patients better.

Answer

They have no impact on ethical decision-making.

Answer

They can help nurses identify ethical issues more easily.

Question 38

Which step of the nursing process primarily involves gathering data about the client's health status and formulating nursing diagnoses?

Accepted Answer

Assessment

Answer

Planning

Answer

Evaluation

Answer

Implementation

Question 39

When a client declines recommended treatment based on their spiritual or religious beliefs, the nurse should prioritize which ethical principle?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Nonmaleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 40

Which step of the ethical decision-making model involves identifying potential solutions to an ethical dilemma and evaluating their potential consequences?

Accepted Answer

Analysis

Answer

Identification

Answer

Implementation

Answer

Evaluation

Question 41

The ethical principle of justice in nursing requires that nurses distribute resources and care:

Accepted Answer

Fairly and equitably

Answer

Based on personal preferences

Answer

Only to those who are likely to benefit

Answer

Only to those who can afford it

Question 42

Which of the following is an essential characteristic of effective interdisciplinary communication in healthcare settings?

Accepted Answer

Respectful and collaborative

Answer

One-directional and authoritative

Answer

Non-verbal and implicit

Answer

Formal and hierarchical

Question 43

When a nurse advocates for a client who is unable to make decisions for themselves, the nurse is acting in accordance with which ethical principle?

Accepted Answer

Advocacy

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Confidentiality

Question 44

Which of the following is a potential barrier to ethical decision-making in nursing practice?

Accepted Answer

Time constraints

Answer

Support from colleagues

Answer

Access to information

Question 45

The primary purpose of an ethics committee in a healthcare setting is to:

Accepted Answer

Provide guidance on complex ethical issues

Answer

Oversee all patient care decisions

Answer

Punish unethical behavior

Answer

Enforce ethical regulations

Question 46

A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a blood transfusion due to religious beliefs. The nurse understands that respecting the patient's autonomy requires:

Accepted Answer

Honoring the patient's decision even if it conflicts with the nurse's personal beliefs.

Answer

Informing the patient about the risks of refusing the transfusion but ultimately making the decision for them.

Answer

Convincing the patient to accept the transfusion for their own good.

Question 47

During the assessment phase of the nursing process, a nurse notices a patient's refusal to participate in a prescribed exercise program. The nurse should prioritize:

Accepted Answer

Exploring the patient's reasons for refusal and addressing any concerns they may have.

Answer

Documenting the refusal without further investigation.

Answer

Insisting on the patient's compliance with the prescribed program.

Question 48

A nurse is caring for a patient with a terminal illness. The patient's family requests the nurse to withhold information about the patient's prognosis. The nurse's ethical obligation is to:

Accepted Answer

Respect the family's wishes while ensuring the patient's right to know their own medical information.

Answer

Fulfill the family's request without consulting the patient.

Question 49

A nurse is administering medication to a patient. The nurse notices that the medication label is illegible. The nurse's most appropriate action is to:

Accepted Answer

Refuse to administer the medication and contact the pharmacist for clarification.

Answer

Administer the medication as it is unclear what the dosage is.

Answer

Ask another nurse to administer the medication.

Question 50

Which ethical principle is most directly related to a nurse's commitment to advocating for a patient's right to make informed decisions about their care?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Question 51

A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing significant pain. The nurse's primary ethical obligation in this situation is to:

Accepted Answer

Provide appropriate pain relief measures while respecting the patient's wishes and values.

Answer

Avoid administering pain medication due to potential side effects.

Answer

Administer the maximum dose of pain medication to ensure complete pain relief.

Question 52

A nurse is caring for a patient who is being discharged from the hospital. The patient expresses concern about accessing their medications after discharge. The nurse's most appropriate action is to:

Accepted Answer

Collaborate with the patient and their family to create a plan for medication management and access.

Answer

Advise the patient to seek help from a community health center.

Answer

Assure the patient that they will receive a prescription at discharge.

Question 53

A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing a medical error. The nurse's primary ethical obligation is to:

Accepted Answer

Report the error to the appropriate authorities and ensure patient safety.

Answer

Blame the physician responsible for the error.

Answer

Conceal the error to avoid negative consequences for the hospital.

Question 54

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the ethical principle of justice in nursing practice?

Accepted Answer

A nurse advocating for equal access to healthcare resources for all patients regardless of their social status.

Answer

A nurse prioritizing a patient's right to self-determination.

Question 55

During the evaluation phase of the nursing process, a nurse discovers that a patient's goals have not been met. The nurse's ethical obligation is to:

Accepted Answer

Reassess the patient's needs and modify the plan of care to address unmet goals.

Answer

Blame the patient for not adhering to the plan of care.

Answer

Accept that the goals were not achievable and move on to other tasks.