ATI LPN
Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare Questions
Question 1 of 5
A 35-year-old woman established primary care at a clinic 3 months ago. Last month, she arrived unannounced, urgently requesting to see the same physician. Due to a cancellation, she was seen later that day for the complaint of a rash on her chest. The male physician completed a thorough but unremarkable physical examination in the presence of a female nurse practitioner. Two weeks later, the patient comes to the same physician's office at closing time and without an appointment. She complains of 'needing to talk to the doctor immediately about a private matter.' She informs the receptionist that it is 'absolutely critical' for her to be seen and examined for similar skin complaints that seem to 'come and go' and 'itch frequently.' The patient is calm but insists that an appointment with the female nurse practitioner is not acceptable and instead requests to see the physician privately, without the presence of another staff member. Which of the following would be the most appropriate initial response by the physician?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Boundary issues suggest maintaining professional distance by requiring scheduled appointments with staff present.
Question 2 of 5
This is a serious crime that has a penalty of imprisonment of more than 1 year or even death
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A felony is the correct answer because it refers to a serious crime that carries a penalty of imprisonment for more than 1 year or even death. It is a category of crime that is more severe than a misdemeanor and is often associated with offenses such as murder, rape, or robbery. Unlike civil or criminal offenses, a felony is a specific type of criminal offense that carries severe consequences.
Question 3 of 5
A wrong committed by an individual against a person or their property that is heard by a civil court and is punishable by the state, must pay for damages, and rarely includes imprisonment.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A tort is a wrong committed by an individual against a person or their property. It is heard by a civil court and is punishable by the state. The person responsible for the tort must pay for damages caused, but it rarely includes imprisonment.
Question 4 of 5
A 45-year-old patient is ventilator dependent after a high cervical neck injury. He is alert and oriented and, after giving it much thought, has decided that he wants to be removed from the ventilator. The nurse believes the patient intends suicide but supports his final decision. When the ventilator is removed, the nurse remains with the patient to support him. The nurse's action demonstrates respect for what moral principle?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Autonomy refers to a person's right to choose and his ability to act on that choice. In this case, the nurse respects the patient's right to choose to die. Nonmaleficence is the twofold principle of doing no harm and preventing harm. Beneficence is the duty to do or promote good. Fidelity is the obligation to keep promises.
Question 5 of 5
An alert, oriented, and competent frail older adult man has been told that he is dying and has asked to have a DNAR order put on his chart. The patient's family does not agree with his decision and asks the healthcare team to ignore the request. After a great deal of discussion among the physician, nurse, and family, they are no closer to resolution of the conflict. The nurse asks the hospital chaplain to come and help the family and the team understand each other's opposing views. Which step of the MORAL model does this illustrate?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This illustrates the Outlining-options step. In Massaging the dilemma, the team would already have identified and defined the issues in the dilemma, and considered the values and options of all the major players. At the Outlining the options step, someone should delineate all of the options to all parties, including those that are less realistic and conflicting. In that step, someone often asks a member of the ethics committee or the hospital chaplain to help the parties understand the opposing viewpoints.