ATI RN
Ethical Issues in Maternal Newborn Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 5
What type of mastectomy removes the entire breast but leaves the chest wall intact?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A total simple mastectomy is a type of mastectomy that removes the entire breast, including the breast tissue, nipple, and areola, but it leaves the chest wall muscles intact. In this procedure, the lymph nodes under the arm (axillary lymph nodes) are not typically removed. The total simple mastectomy is usually performed when the breast cancer is small and localized, and there is no evidence of spread to the surrounding lymph nodes or chest wall. This surgery is considered less extensive than other types of mastectomies, such as modified radical mastectomy, skin-sparing mastectomy, or nipple-sparing mastectomy, which involve different levels of tissue removal.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is interviewing a patient who is 6-weeks pregnant. The patient asks the nurse, “Why is elective abortion considered such an ethical issue?” Which response by the nurse is most appropriate? N R I G B.C M
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The most appropriate response by the nurse is that there is a conflict between the rights of the woman and the rights of the fetus when discussing elective abortion as an ethical issue. This response highlights the ethical dilemma involved in abortion, where one must consider the rights and autonomy of the pregnant woman as well as the potential rights of the fetus. Ethical debates often revolve around balancing these conflicting rights and interests, making elective abortion a complex and sensitive issue. It acknowledges the ethical implications of abortion without making definitive statements or legal references like the other options.
Question 3 of 5
With regard to an obstetric litigation case, a nurse working in labor and birth is found to be negligent. Which intervention performed by the nurse indicates that a breach of duty has occurred?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In an obstetric setting, failure to document fetal heart tones (FHR) during the second stage of labor is a critical breach of duty by the nurse. Monitoring FHR is essential to assess fetal well-being and detect any signs of distress or complications during labor. Neglecting to document this important vital sign could result in delayed recognition of fetal distress, potentially leading to adverse outcomes for the baby and the mother. Therefore, this intervention indicates negligence on the part of the nurse in this scenario.
Question 4 of 5
A charge nurse is working on a postpartum unit and discovers that one of the patients did not receive AM care during her shift assessment. The charge nurse questions the nurse assigned to provide care and finds out that the nurse thought “the patient should just do it by herself because she will have to do this at home.” On further questioning of the nurse, it is determined that the rest of her assigned patients were provided AM care. The assigned nurse has violated which ethical principle?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Justice in healthcare ethics refers to the fair and equal distribution of resources, care, and treatment. In this scenario, the nurse's decision to not provide AM care to the specific patient, while providing care to other patients, violates the principle of justice. It is unfair and unjust to selectively provide care based on personal assumptions rather than patients' needs. All patients should be treated equally and receive appropriate care regardless of individual beliefs or assumptions.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is providing care to a patient who was just admitted to the labor and birth unit in active labor at term. The patient informed the nurse, “I have not received any prenatal care because I cannot afford to go to the doctor. And, this is my third baby, so I know what to expect.” What is the nurse’s primary concern when developing the patient’s plan of care?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse's primary concern when developing the plan of care for a patient who has not received prenatal care and is now in active labor is the risk of low birth weight for the baby. Prenatal care plays a crucial role in monitoring the health of the pregnant woman and her baby, ensuring appropriate growth and development, and identifying any potential issues early on. Without prenatal care, important factors such as maternal nutritional status, appropriate weight gain, screening for conditions that can affect the baby's growth, and management of any complications during pregnancy may not have been addressed. As a result, the baby is at increased risk for being born with a low birth weight, which can lead to various health problems and complications both immediately after birth and in the long term. Therefore, the nurse should prioritize monitoring and addressing the risk of low birth weight in this situation.