ATI RN
Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing PDF Questions
Question 1 of 5
A physician orders a drug for a patient with a known allergy resulting in anaphylactic shock. The nurse:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because disclosure is a key component of the national patient safety movement. By disclosing the error to the patient and involving them in the decision-making process, the nurse promotes transparency, trust, and patient-centered care. This approach also allows for timely interventions to address the allergic reaction effectively. Choice A is incorrect because prioritizing agency consequences over patient safety goes against ethical principles. Choice B is incorrect as it suggests disclosing before discussing with the physician or management, which could lead to confusion and potential miscommunication. Choice D is incorrect since reporting to the patient's insurance company does not address the immediate patient safety concern of the allergic reaction.
Question 2 of 5
An older adult client is comatose and had one electroencephalogram that indicated no activity. The daughter is very distraught and notices her mother's hand moves when she is talking to her. The daughter asks the nurse, "Is mother responding to my voice?" The nurse, attempting to console the daughter, knows the movement was involuntary but states, "It does appear she did." The nurse is violating which principle of ethics?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Veracity. Veracity refers to the principle of truthfulness and honesty in communication. In this scenario, the nurse knowingly provides false information to the daughter by stating that the mother is responding to her voice when the movement was actually involuntary. By not being truthful, the nurse violates the principle of veracity. Autonomy (A) is the right of individuals to make their own decisions. Utilitarianism (C) focuses on the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Deontology (D) is an ethical theory based on rules and duties. These principles are not directly related to the nurse's dishonesty in this situation.
Question 3 of 5
The physician who insists on providing treatment in spite of the client's wishes because he "knows best" is reflecting:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: paternalism. Paternalism occurs when a physician overrides a patient's autonomy in favor of what they believe is best for the patient. In this scenario, the physician is not respecting the client's wishes and is making decisions based on their own judgment, which is characteristic of paternalism. Autonomy (A) refers to respecting the patient's right to make their own decisions. Beneficence (B) is the principle of doing good for the patient, but in this case, it is being overshadowed by the physician's paternalistic approach. Justice (C) refers to fairness in healthcare distribution, which is not applicable in this context.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse who is infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) while working in the operating room seeks revenge by deliberately placing clients at risk by not adhering to universal precautions. This nurse is violating the ethical principle of:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: nonmaleficence. Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle of doing no harm to others. In this scenario, the nurse is deliberately putting clients at risk by not adhering to universal precautions, which violates the principle of nonmaleficence. By intentionally endangering others, the nurse is directly going against the ethical duty to prevent harm. A: Veracity refers to truthfulness, not relevant in this scenario. B: Beneficence is the ethical principle of doing good for others, not applicable as the nurse's actions are harmful. D: Autonomy is the principle of respecting an individual's right to make their own decisions, not relevant as the nurse is not respecting the clients' autonomy by putting them at risk without their consent.
Question 5 of 5
Throughout their careers, nurses are in an ongoing state of acculturation, gaining experience from formal nursing school classes, clinical experiences, and the ethical issues they encounter in their clinical practice. The ideal outcomes of these ongoing experiences with cultural decision making include: (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: increased trustworthiness. Acculturation in nursing involves gaining experience and knowledge from various sources, leading to increased credibility and trustworthiness among patients, colleagues, and the healthcare team. This ongoing process helps nurses build rapport and establish trust with diverse patient populations. Explanation for why the other choices are incorrect: B: While enhanced ability to consider many aspects of ethical situations is important in nursing, it is not directly related to the outcome of increased trustworthiness. C: Confidence in making decisions based on experience and ethical intelligence is valuable, but it does not directly lead to increased trustworthiness. D: Improved clinical decision making and advocacy for patient autonomy are crucial aspects of nursing practice, but they do not specifically address the outcome of increased trustworthiness that comes from acculturation.