ATI LPN
Ethical and Legal Issues in Healthcare Questions
Question 1 of 5
A medical resident on call is asked to see a 72-year-old woman who has a headache. The medical record indicates that she was admitted 5 days ago after a fall that caused a hip fracture requiring surgical correction. The patient developed postoperative chest pain and was transferred to the medical service for further care. She is stabilized and receiving morphine for her pain but frequently calls nurses to say that she is uncomfortable. According to the nurse, the patient developed an intermittent headache earlier in the day that recurred an hour ago after her daughter called to say she would be unable to visit today. When she sees the resident, the patient snaps, 'You look so young. I hope you know what you're doing.' The resident asks a few questions about her headache, but she gives very little information. When the resident attempts to perform a basic physical examination, the patient yells, 'Don't touch me. I'm going to complain to the hospital administrators about you because you have no idea how to properly deal with a patient.' Which of the following is the most appropriate response?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Acknowledging distress and asking open-ended questions defuses anger and preserves the relationship.
Question 2 of 5
This crime has fines or imprisonment of less than 1 year
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A misdemeanor is a type of crime that typically carries less severe penalties compared to felonies. It is characterized by fines or imprisonment of less than one year. This means that the given crime falls under the category of a misdemeanor, which is a less serious offense than a felony. It is important to note that misdemeanors are generally considered less severe crimes and are punishable by fines, probation, community service, or short-term incarceration.
Question 3 of 5
This type of tort is due to negligence and malpractice such as not implementing interventions or safety measures.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An unintentional tort is a legal wrongdoing that occurs due to negligence or carelessness rather than intentional harm. In this context, the tort is caused by negligence and malpractice, such as failing to implement interventions or safety measures, indicating it was not done intentionally.
Question 4 of 5
Which of the following consequentialist theories takes the position that the value of an action is determined by its usefulness?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory that takes the position that the value of an action is determined by its usefulness. An ethics of care is a nursing philosophy that directs attention to the specific situations of individual patients viewed within the context of their life narrative. Deontology considers an action to be right or wrong independent of its consequences. A categorical imperative is a principle, established by Immanuel Kant, that states that one should act only if the action is based on a principle that is universal.
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. The healthcare team does not comply with the family's wishes, and after several days the family takes the matter to court. The court sides with the family and orders the healthcare team to remove the DNAR order. This is an example of which of the following?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This is clearly an example of settling an issue by force, bringing in a more powerful entity (the court) to force the healthcare team to do what the family wants. It is not a compromise of any sort because neither party backed away from its original position, and the action that was taken was not agreed on by both parties.