DAILY PRACTICE PROBLEM

Ethical and Legal issues of Nursing

Hints and Solution
1. A nurse discovers that a colleague has been diverting medications for personal use. What is
the nurse's ethical responsibility in this situation?
A) Ignore the behavior to avoid conflict in the workplace.
B) Report the colleague's behavior to the appropriate authorities.
C) Confront the colleague directly and ask them to stop.
D) Discuss the issue with other colleagues to gather opinions first.
Correct Answer: B) Report the colleague's behavior to the appropriate authorities.
Explanation:
Nurses have an ethical responsibility to promote patient safety and well-being. Reporting the
colleague's behavior to the appropriate authorities, such as the nurse manager or hospital
administration, is essential to address the issue and prevent harm to patients.

2. A patient refuses a life-saving treatment recommended by the healthcare team due to

religious beliefs. What ethical principle should guide the nurse's actions in this situation?
A) Autonomy
B) Beneficence
C) Nonmaleficence
D) Justice
Correct Answer: A) Autonomy
Explanation:
Autonomy is the ethical principle that emphasizes respect for the patient's right to make
decisions about their own care, including the right to refuse treatment based on religious beliefs
or personal values. Nurses should respect the patient's autonomy while providing support and
information to help them make informed decisions.

3. A nurse encounters a situation where the hospital's policies and procedures conflict with the
best interests of the patient. What should the nurse do in this situation?
A) Follow the hospital's policies and procedures without question.
B) Advocate for the patient's best interests while respecting institutional policies.
C) Disregard the hospital's policies and act solely in the patient's best interests.
D) Consult with colleagues to determine the best course of action.
Correct Answer: B)
Advocate for the patient's best interests while respecting institutional policies.
Explanation:
Nurses have a professional and ethical obligation to advocate for their patients' best interests.
This may involve navigating situations where institutional policies conflict with patient needs by
advocating for necessary changes while still adhering to ethical standards and legal obligations.

4. A nurse is asked to participate in a medical procedure that goes against their personal moral
or religious beliefs. What should the nurse do in this situation?
A) Refuse to participate and explain their reasons to the healthcare team.
B) Participate in the procedure to avoid conflict with colleagues.
C) Seek guidance from the hospital's ethics committee.
D) Discuss the situation with the patient's family members.
Correct Answer: A) Refuse to participate and explain their reasons to the healthcare team.
Explanation:
Nurses have the right to conscientiously object to participating in medical procedures that
conflict with their personal moral or religious beliefs. However, they should communicate their
objections respectfully and offer alternative solutions to ensure continuity of care for the patient.

5. A nurse witnesses a colleague providing substandard care to a patient due to negligence.

What is the nurse's ethical obligation in this situation?
A) Confront the colleague privately and offer assistance.
B) Document the incident in the patient's medical record.
C) Report the colleague's behavior to the appropriate authorities.
D) Ignore the situation to avoid causing conflict in the workplace.
Correct Answer: C) Report the colleague's behavior to the appropriate authorities.
Explanation:
Nurses have a professional and ethical duty to advocate for patient safety and quality care.
Reporting incidents of substandard care to the appropriate authorities, such as the nurse
manager or regulatory agencies, is essential to address the issue, protect patients, and uphold
ethical standards of practice.

6. A nurse overhears a physician discussing a patient's confidential medical information in a

public area. What is the nurse's ethical obligation in this situation?
A) Ignore the conversation to respect the physician's privacy.
B) Inform the patient about the breach of confidentiality.
C) Report the incident to the hospital's privacy officer or supervisor.
D) Confront the physician directly about the breach.
Correct Answer: C) Report the incident to the hospital's privacy officer or supervisor.
Explanation:
Nurses have a duty to protect patient confidentiality and privacy. Reporting the incident to the
appropriate authorities, such as the hospital's privacy officer or supervisor, ensures that
appropriate action is taken to address the breach of confidentiality and safeguard patient
information.

7. A nurse is caring for a terminally ill patient who requests assistance in hastening death. What
ethical principle should guide the nurse's actions in this situation?
A) Justice
B) Fidelity
C) Veracity
D) Nonmaleficence
Correct Answer: D) Nonmaleficence
Explanation:
Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle that emphasizes the nurse's duty to avoid causing harm
to the patient. Assisting in hastening death goes against this principle, and nurses should
prioritize providing comfort and support to terminally ill patients while respecting their
autonomy.

8. A nurse is caring for a patient who lacks decision-making capacity and has no family or legal
guardian. What ethical principle should guide the nurse's actions regarding the patient's care?
A) Beneficence
B) Autonomy
C) Paternalism
D) Justice
Correct Answer: A) Beneficence
Explanation:
Beneficence is the ethical principle that emphasizes the nurse's duty to act in the patient's best
interests and promote their well-being. In the absence of decision-making capacity and a legally
authorized decision-maker, nurses should make decisions that are most likely to benefit the
patient.
9. A nurse is asked to falsify documentation to cover up a medication error made by a colleague.
What is the nurse's ethical obligation in this situation?
A) Comply with the request to avoid conflict in the workplace.
B) Report the medication error and refuse to falsify documentation.
C) Falsify the documentation to protect the colleague from disciplinary action.
D) Discuss the situation with other colleagues before taking action.
Correct Answer: B) Report the medication error and refuse to falsify documentation.
Explanation:
Nurses have an ethical and legal obligation to maintain accurate and truthful documentation of
patient care. Falsifying documentation to cover up errors undermines patient safety and integrity
in nursing practice. Reporting the medication error and refusing to participate in unethical
behavior are essential to uphold professional standards.

10. A nurse is caring for a patient who requests information about their diagnosis and treatment
options. What ethical principle supports the nurse's obligation to provide this information?
A) Autonomy
B) Beneficence
C) Confidentiality
D) Justice
Correct Answer: A) Autonomy
Explanation:
Autonomy is the ethical principle that emphasizes the patient's right to make informed decisions
about their own care, including the right to information about diagnosis, treatment options, and
potential risks and benefits. Providing patients with accurate and relevant information supports
their autonomy and involvement in decision-making.

11. A nurse is caring for a patient who is refusing a blood transfusion due to religious beliefs, even
though it is medically necessary. What ethical principle should guide the nurse's actions in
this situation?
A) Autonomy
B) Beneficence
C) Nonmaleficence
D) Veracity
Correct Answer: A) Autonomy
Explanation:
Autonomy is the ethical principle that emphasizes the patient's right to make decisions about
their own care, including the right to refuse treatment based on religious beliefs or personal
values. Respecting the patient's autonomy while providing support and information to help them
make an informed decision is essential.

12. A nurse suspects that a patient is being abused by a family member but has no concrete
evidence. What is the nurse's ethical obligation in this situation?
A) Wait for concrete evidence before reporting the suspicion.
B) Discuss the suspicion with other healthcare team members.
C) Report the suspicion to the appropriate authorities for investigation.
D) Confront the family member about the suspicion.
Correct Answer: C) Report the suspicion to the appropriate authorities for investigation.
Explanation:
Nurses have a duty to advocate for vulnerable patients and protect them from harm. Reporting
suspicions of abuse to the appropriate authorities, such as adult protective services or child
protective services, allows for investigation and intervention to ensure the patient's safety.

13. A nurse is asked to assist in a research study involving human subjects. What ethical principle
should guide the nurse's participation in research?
A) Justice
B) Fidelity
C) Beneficence
D) Nonmaleficence
Correct Answer: C) Beneficence
Explanation:
Beneficence is the ethical principle that emphasizes the duty to maximize benefits and minimize
harm to research participants. Nurses involved in research should ensure that the study is
conducted ethically, with informed consent, protection of participants' rights, and consideration
of potential risks and benefits.

14. A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing severe pain but refuses pain medication
due to concerns about addiction. What ethical principle supports the nurse's response to this
situation?
A) Nonmaleficence
B) Beneficence
C) Fidelity
D) Veracity
Correct Answer: B) Beneficence
Explanation:
Beneficence is the ethical principle that emphasizes the nurse's duty to act in the patient's best
interests and promote their well-being. Providing pain relief to alleviate suffering and improve
the patient's comfort aligns with the principle of beneficence, even if the patient initially refuses.

15. A nurse is caring for a patient who is terminally ill and expresses a desire for assisted suicide.
What ethical principle should guide the nurse's response to this request?
A) Autonomy
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Fidelity
D) Justice
Correct Answer: B) Nonmaleficence
Explanation:
Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle that emphasizes the duty to avoid causing harm to the
patient. Assisted suicide raises ethical concerns related to the potential for harm and conflicting
duties of nonmaleficence and autonomy. Nurses should focus on providing compassionate end
of-life care while respecting the patient's autonomy within legal and ethical boundaries.

16. A nurse is asked to administer medication that the patient has refused. What is the nurse's
ethical responsibility in this situation?
A) Administer the medication against the patient's wishes to ensure compliance.
B) Document the patient's refusal and notify the healthcare provider.
C) Persuade the patient to take the medication by explaining its importance.
D) Consult with other healthcare team members before deciding.
Correct Answer: B) Document the patient's refusal and notify the healthcare provider.
Explanation:
Nurses have an ethical responsibility to respect the patient's right to refuse treatment.
Documenting the patient's refusal and informing the healthcare provider allows for further
assessment and consideration of alternative treatment options while upholding the patient's
autonomy.
17. A nurse is caring for a patient who requests confidentiality regarding their diagnosis from
family members. What ethical principle supports the nurse's response to this request?
A) Autonomy
B) Veracity
C) Fidelity
D) Justice
Correct Answer: A) Autonomy
Explanation:
Autonomy is the ethical principle that emphasizes the patient's right to make decisions about
their own care, including the right to control information about their diagnosis and treatment.
Respecting the patient's confidentiality preferences supports their autonomy and fosters trust in
the nurse-patient relationship.

18. A nurse witnesses a colleague engaging in discriminatory behavior toward a patient based on
their race. What is the nurse's ethical obligation in this situation?
A) Confront the colleague privately and discuss the behavior.
B) Ignore the behavior to avoid conflict in the workplace.
C) Report the colleague's behavior to the appropriate authorities.
D) Discuss the situation with other colleagues before taking action.
Correct Answer: C) Report the colleague's behavior to the appropriate authorities.
Explanation:
Nurses have a duty to advocate for patients and ensure equitable care for all individuals.
Reporting discriminatory behavior to the appropriate authorities, such as the nurse manager or
human resources department, is essential to address the issue and promote a culture of respect
and inclusivity in healthcare settings.

19. A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing significant pain but has a history of
substance abuse. What ethical principle should guide the nurse's response to this situation?
A) Nonmaleficence
B) Autonomy
C) Justice
D) Fidelity
Correct Answer: A) Nonmaleficence
Explanation:
Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle that emphasizes the duty to avoid causing harm to the
patient. Balancing the need for pain relief with the risk of substance abuse requires careful
consideration of potential harms and benefits to ensure the patient's well-being while minimizing
risks associated with opioid administration.
20. A nurse is asked to participate in a procedure that goes against their personal moral or
religious beliefs. What ethical principle supports the nurse's right to conscientiously object?
A) Fidelity
B) Justice
C) Veracity
D) Autonomy
Correct Answer: D) Autonomy
Explanation:
Autonomy is the ethical principle that emphasizes the individual's right to make decisions about
their own care and moral beliefs. Nurses have the right to conscientiously object to participating
in procedures that conflict with their deeply held beliefs while respecting the rights and well
being of patients.

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