ATI RN
Contemporary Ethical Issues in Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient is upset because her health insurance plan refused to pay for a mammogram and services by a women's health specialist because the primary care physician did not order the referral or the mammogram. Which type of insurance plan adheres to this type of payment system?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). In an HMO, services are typically provided by a primary care physician who acts as a gatekeeper for all medical services, including referrals to specialists and diagnostic tests like mammograms. The primary care physician must authorize and order these services for them to be covered by the insurance plan. This system helps control costs and ensures coordinated care. A: Fee for Service does not require a primary care physician to authorize referrals or services. C: PPO allows patients to see out-of-network providers without referrals. D: POS plans offer more flexibility in choosing healthcare providers without requiring a primary care physician's referral.
Question 2 of 5
A client states, "I am leaving. No one here knows what they are doing." The nurse completing the Against Medical Advice form must:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: Choice C is correct because informing the client of potential complications and impairment is essential to ensure the client makes an informed decision. This aligns with the principle of autonomy and informed consent. Choice A is incorrect as delaying notification can jeopardize the client's safety. Choice B is incorrect because using medical jargon may not effectively communicate the risks to the client. Choice D is incorrect as using restraints is a violation of the client's rights and autonomy.
Question 3 of 5
Although a hospital reversed all charges when a client was the victim of wrong site surgery, the court awarded the client $5 million. The client was able to return to work in 6 weeks and had no permanent damages. This monetary compensation is termed:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded to punish the defendant for their wrongful actions. In this case, the hospital's negligence in performing wrong site surgery resulted in harm to the client, even though the hospital reversed the charges. The court awarded $5 million to punish the hospital for their negligence, as the client suffered emotional distress and the potential risk of harm. The other choices are incorrect because: A: res ipsa loquitur is a legal doctrine used to shift the burden of proof from the plaintiff to the defendant in cases where the negligence is obvious. C: vicarious liability holds an employer responsible for the actions of their employees, which is not directly applicable in this scenario. D: immunity refers to protection from legal liability, which is not relevant in a case where the court awarded monetary compensation.
Question 4 of 5
A physician shares with the patient's family that, while a central line was being inserted, the patient's lungs were inadvertently punctured, which required oxygen administration. The physician also explains that a chest x-ray indicated the lung remained intact and no additional treatment was required. The physician's role in this instance is based on the legal principle of:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: disclosure. In this scenario, the physician shared information about the accidental lung puncture with the patient's family, demonstrating transparency and honesty. This aligns with the legal principle of disclosure, which emphasizes the importance of informing patients and their families about relevant medical information. The physician's actions foster trust and open communication, ensuring that the patient and family are informed about the situation. Choice A: comparative negligence, is incorrect because it involves assessing the degree of negligence by both parties involved, which is not applicable in this context. Choice B: gross negligence, is incorrect because the physician's actions do not demonstrate recklessness or a complete disregard for the patient's safety. Choice D: the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), is incorrect because this law primarily addresses the provision of emergency medical care and ensuring access to necessary services, not the disclosure of medical errors.
Question 5 of 5
A family requests that no additional heroic measures be instituted for their terminally ill mother who has advance directives in place. The nurse respects this decision in keeping with the principle of:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: autonomy. Autonomy refers to respecting the right of individuals to make their own decisions about their healthcare. In this scenario, the family's request to honor the terminally ill mother's advance directives aligns with the principle of autonomy as it acknowledges her right to make decisions about her own care. Accountability (A) pertains to taking responsibility for one's actions, nonmaleficence (C) involves avoiding harm, and veracity (D) refers to truthfulness. While these principles are important in healthcare, in this specific case, autonomy takes precedence as it respects the patient's wishes.