ATI LPN
Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare Questions
Question 1 of 5
An 80-year-old Asian woman is hospitalized with weight loss, generalized weakness, and a pulmonary mass. Work-up reveals that she has pulmonary tuberculosis. Her family approaches the physician and asks that the patient not be told, stating that in her upbringing in mainland China tuberculosis was considered fatal and to tell her would be like giving her 'a death sentence.' Should you respect the family's concerns?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tuberculosis is reportable, and the patient must be informed to consent to treatment, despite family concerns.
Question 2 of 5
Laws developed by elected legislative bodies
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Statutory law refers to laws that are created and enacted by elected legislative bodies, such as Congress or Parliament. These laws are written down and codified, making them official and enforceable. They are usually created to address specific issues or regulate certain activities within a society. Unlike common law, which is developed through court decisions, statutory law is passed through a formal legislative process. Regulatory law, on the other hand, refers to rules and regulations set by administrative agencies to implement statutory law.
Question 3 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 4 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 5 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.