ATI RN
Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing PDF Questions
Question 1 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 2 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 3 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.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is caring for a recent Asian immigrant client and is overheard making the following comment, "These rituals you believe in are false. You live in America now and must believe in realistic health practices, like Americans do." The nurse is exhibiting:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: ethnocentrism. This is because the nurse is judging the client's cultural beliefs as inferior to American practices, implying that American ways are the only correct ones. Ethnocentrism involves viewing one's own culture as superior to others. A: Stereotyping is not the correct answer because the nurse is not making a generalization about a group based on limited information. C: Cultural accommodation is not the correct answer because the nurse is not demonstrating an understanding or acceptance of the client's cultural practices. D: Empathy is not the correct answer because the nurse is not showing understanding or compassion towards the client's cultural beliefs.
Question 5 of 5
While completing a nursing degree in Virginia, a student who is interested in teaching in Laredo, Texas, enrolls in Spanish classes for 4 years, knowing that a high number of Mexican-Americans live there. This nursing student values:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: cultural competence. By enrolling in Spanish classes to better communicate with Mexican-Americans in Laredo, the nursing student is demonstrating an understanding and appreciation of different cultures. Cultural competence involves having the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to effectively interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds. This student's actions show a commitment to providing culturally sensitive care in a multicultural setting. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect: B: Ethnocentrism refers to the tendency to view one's own culture as superior to others. The student's actions of learning Spanish do not align with this mindset. C: Prejudice involves preconceived opinions or attitudes towards a group. The student's actions are aimed at improving cross-cultural understanding, not perpetuating negative stereotypes. D: Stereotyping involves making assumptions about individuals based on their group membership. The student's choice to learn Spanish is about building connections and understanding, not generalizing about an entire group.