AF Medical Ethics & Patient Rights 2

Question 1

A patient with AF refuses anticoagulation therapy after being fully informed of stroke risk. The nurse's ethical obligation is to:

Accepted Answer

Document the refusal and respect the patient's decision

Answer

Competent patients have the right to refuse treatment even when refusal may harm them; the nurse must document and respect this decision.

Question 2

Which principle of biomedical ethics most directly supports a patient's right to be told the truth about their AF diagnosis and prognosis?

Accepted Answer

Veracity

Answer

Veracity is the duty to be truthful with patients about their diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options.

Question 3

An AF patient asks the nurse not to share his diagnosis with his adult children visiting the room. The nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Honor the patient's request and maintain confidentiality

Answer

Under HIPAA and ethical confidentiality principles, patient information may not be disclosed to family without the patient's consent.

Question 4

When obtaining informed consent for electrical cardioversion in an AF patient, which element is MOST essential?

Accepted Answer

The patient must understand the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives

Answer

Valid informed consent requires the patient to comprehend the procedure, its risks and benefits, and available alternatives before agreeing.

Question 5

A patient with newly diagnosed AF states he does not want to be resuscitated if his heart stops. The appropriate next step is to:

Accepted Answer

Facilitate documentation of an advance directive or DNR order

Answer

A competent patient's wish to forgo resuscitation should be documented through the proper advance directive or DNR process.

(AF) Atrial Fibrillation Certification Practice Test