Ethical Decision-Making in Advanced Nursing Practice: A Comprehensive Guide

Question 1

When making ethical decisions for diverse patient populations, nurses should:

Accepted Answer

Consider and incorporate cultural values

Answer

Ignore cultural differences

Answer

Follow ethical guidelines without exception

Answer

Impose their own beliefs on the patient

Question 2

Which ethical principle grants patients the authority to make decisions about their own medical care?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 3

Which ethical framework emphasizes weighing potential benefits against potential harms?

Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Kantianism

Answer

Virtue ethics

Answer

Care ethics

Question 4

Which ethical principle obligates nurses to safeguard patient privacy?

Accepted Answer

Fidelity

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Non-maleficence

Question 5

Which ethical principle emphasizes the obligation to do no harm?

Accepted Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Fidelity

Question 6

Which ethical principle guides nurses to treat all patients fairly and impartially?

Accepted Answer

Justice

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Fidelity

Question 7

Which of the following actions would violate a patient's right to confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

Sharing a patient's diagnosis with their family without their permission

Accepted Answer

Releasing a patient's medical records to an insurance company without their consent

Answer

Discussing a patient's care plan with other healthcare professionals

Answer

Recording a patient's medical history in their chart

Question 8

In ethical end-of-life care, which consideration should NOT be a priority?

Accepted Answer

Extending life by any means

Answer

Honoring patient preferences

Answer

Maximizing comfort through symptom management

Answer

Involving family in decision-making

Question 9

The concept of distributive justice in healthcare primarily focuses on:

Accepted Answer

Fair allocation of healthcare resources

Answer

Upholding individual rights

Answer

Minimizing harm to patients

Answer

Prioritizing beneficence

Question 10

Which ethical framework emphasizes the maximization of overall happiness or well-being?

Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Deontology

Answer

Virtue ethics

Answer

Existentialism

Question 11

In ethical end-of-life care, which principle prioritizes respecting a patient's choices, values, and preferences?

Accepted Answer

Patient autonomy

Answer

Preserving life at all costs

Answer

Family's wishes

Answer

Medical futility

Question 12

When a patient's wishes and their best medical interests conflict, what is the most ethical course of action for a nurse?

Accepted Answer

Seek guidance from an ethics committee or consult with colleagues

Answer

Always prioritize the patient's wishes

Answer

Always prioritize the patient's best interests

Answer

Inform the patient's family and follow their advice

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT an essential element of informed consent in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Witness signature from a healthcare professional

Answer

Disclosure of material information

Answer

Patient comprehension of the risks and benefits

Answer

Patient's explicit agreement or refusal

Question 14

In situations where a patient poses a risk of harm to others, what ethical and legal duty do healthcare professionals have?

Accepted Answer

Report potential harm to the appropriate authorities

Answer

Maintain confidentiality at all times

Answer

Seek consent from the patient to disclose information

Answer

Consult with an ethics committee for guidance

Question 15

Which ethical framework focuses on the character and virtues of individuals rather than specific rules or consequences?

Accepted Answer

Virtue ethics

Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Deontology

Answer

Kantianism

Question 16

What is the primary function of ethics committees in healthcare organizations?

Accepted Answer

Provide ethical guidance and support to healthcare professionals

Answer

Establish and enforce ethical policies

Answer

Investigate and adjudicate ethical violations

Answer

Approve new medical technologies and treatments

Question 17

Identify the ethical principle that is NOT considered fundamental in guiding advanced nursing practice:

Accepted Answer

Patriotism

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Question 18

Which ethical decision-making framework is widely recognized and applied in advanced nursing practice?

Accepted Answer

Beauchamp and Childress's Four Principles

Answer

Rawls' Theory of Justice

Answer

Kant's Deontological Theory

Answer

Hume's Utilitarianism

Question 19

In the absence of a patient's capacity to make healthcare decisions, who is legally authorized to make such decisions on their behalf?

Accepted Answer

The patient's legal guardian or healthcare proxy

Answer

The patient's immediate family member

Answer

The patient's primary care physician

Answer

The hospital's ethics committee

Question 20

According to ethical reporting guidelines, which event requires mandatory reporting in healthcare settings?

Accepted Answer

Medication error resulting in patient harm

Answer

Patient fall leading to minor bruising

Answer

Near miss of a wrong-site surgery

Answer

Hospital-acquired infection with no patient complications

Question 21

When a patient refuses life-sustaining treatment, the nurse's primary ethical responsibility is to:

Accepted Answer

Respect the patient's decision and provide support

Answer

Override the patient's decision and administer the treatment

Answer

Consult with a medical ethics board for guidance

Answer

Inform the patient's family of the decision

Question 22

In their role as patient advocates, what is the primary ethical responsibility of nurses?

Accepted Answer

Facilitating informed consent and shared decision-making

Answer

Providing legal advice

Answer

Maintaining patient privacy

Answer

Managing financial reimbursements for medical expenses

Question 23

When making decisions for a patient, which ethical principle emphasizes acting in their best interest?

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Non-Maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 24

When caring for individuals experiencing homelessness, which of the following poses a significant ethical challenge for nurses?

Accepted Answer

Establishing trust and building rapport

Answer

Maintaining clear professional boundaries

Answer

Ensuring patient autonomy in decision-making

Question 25

Which ethical principle prioritizes respecting patient choices and decision-making ability?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 26

According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), which step is crucial in ethical decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Identifying ethical issues and patient values

Answer

Considering options and potential consequences

Answer

Resolving ethical dilemmas

Answer

Documenting all decisions

Question 27

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of unethical decision-making in nursing?

Accepted Answer

Improved patient satisfaction

Answer

Patient harm

Answer

Loss of trust

Answer

Legal issues

Question 28

Which ethical principle emphasizes doing good and avoiding harm?

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Justice

Question 29

When is a nurse's 'duty to rescue' most applicable?

Accepted Answer

When a patient is in immediate danger

Answer

When a patient requests assistance

Answer

When the nurse is off-duty

Answer

Only within the hospital setting

Question 30

Which ethical principle places primary importance on respecting an individual's right to make decisions about their own life and body?

Accepted Answer

Respect for Autonomy

Answer

Justice

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Question 31

When faced with an ethical dilemma involving conflicting values and multiple stakeholders, which ethical decision-making framework weighs the potential consequences for all parties involved?

Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Egoism

Answer

Kantianism

Answer

Virtue ethics

Question 32

In end-of-life care, which ethical consideration is of paramount importance?

Accepted Answer

Honoring the patient's wishes and values

Answer

Preventing ethical conflicts

Answer

Preserving life at all costs

Answer

Adhering strictly to legal directives

Question 33

When a patient's ability to make decisions is compromised, who has the ethical obligation to make decisions on their behalf?

Accepted Answer

Legally designated decision-maker

Answer

Healthcare provider

Answer

Immediate family member

Question 34

Which ethical principle emphasizes the avoidance of harm and the prevention of further injury?

Accepted Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Respect for autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Question 35

In a clinical setting, if a nurse observes a colleague engaging in actions that violate ethical principles, which ethical duty takes precedence?

Accepted Answer

Duty to report unethical behavior

Answer

Duty to protect the patient

Answer

Duty of confidentiality

Answer

Duty of loyalty to colleagues

Question 36

In conducting research involving human subjects, which ethical concern is of utmost importance?

Accepted Answer

Obtaining fully informed consent prior to participation

Answer

Securing institutional review board approval

Answer

Ensuring data confidentiality

Answer

Minimizing researcher bias

Question 37

When making ethical decisions in nursing practice, which principle should be given the highest priority?

Accepted Answer

Patient autonomy

Answer

Institutional policies

Answer

Personal beliefs of the healthcare provider

Answer

Legal implications

Question 38

Which ethical framework focuses on performing virtuous actions and developing morally desirable traits?

Accepted Answer

Virtue ethics

Answer

Egoism

Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Kantianism

Question 39

A patient with terminal cancer refuses further chemotherapy despite understanding the risks and benefits. Which ethical principle guides the nurse's response to the patient's decision?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Beneficence

Question 40

A colleague confides in you about a medication error they made but haven't reported. Applying the principle of veracity, what is the MOST important action for you to take?

Accepted Answer

Encourage the colleague to report the error immediately.

Answer

Help the colleague assess the potential harm caused.

Answer

Report the error yourself anonymously.

Question 41

You are caring for a patient who is nearing the end of life and experiencing severe pain. The family requests a higher dose of pain medication than prescribed, fearing respiratory depression. What ethical framework is most helpful in guiding your decision?

Accepted Answer

Double effect principle

Answer

Deontology

Answer

Virtue ethics

Answer

Utilitarianism

Question 42

During a home visit, you discover that a patient's family member is accessing their medical records without consent. What ethical principle is being violated?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Fidelity

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Question 43

A patient with dementia refuses a necessary medical procedure. The patient's family insists on proceeding. How should the nurse best advocate for the patient?

Accepted Answer

Initiate a discussion with the family and healthcare team to explore alternatives that respect the patient's wishes.

Answer

Defer to the family's wishes as they are the patient's legal surrogate.

Question 44

Which of the following actions by a nurse practitioner demonstrates a commitment to professional boundaries?

Accepted Answer

Declining a personal gift from a patient's family member.

Answer

Sharing personal experiences with patients to build rapport.

Answer

Accepting small tokens of appreciation from patients.

Question 45

You witness a colleague providing substandard care that may put a patient at risk. According to the ANA Code of Ethics, what is your primary responsibility?

Accepted Answer

Report the incident to the appropriate authority.

Answer

Confront the colleague directly about their actions.

Answer

Ignore the incident as it is not your responsibility.

Answer

Document the incident thoroughly in the patient's chart.

Question 46

A patient requests a medically unnecessary procedure. Which ethical principle should primarily guide the nurse practitioner's response?

Accepted Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Fidelity

Answer

Justice

Question 47

When faced with an ethical dilemma, which of the following is the LEAST helpful resource for a nurse practitioner?

Accepted Answer

Personal opinions and beliefs

Answer

The hospital's ethics committee

Answer

The ANA Code of Ethics

Answer

Legal counsel specializing in healthcare law

Question 48

What is the primary goal of ethical decision-making in advanced nursing practice?

Accepted Answer

To promote the best possible outcomes for patients while upholding ethical principles.

Answer

To strictly adhere to legal guidelines and avoid liability.

Answer

To maintain the reputation and integrity of the healthcare institution.