BCEN Professional Issues and Leadership 3

Question 1

Which ethical principle is violated when a patient is restrained without meeting legal criteria simply because staff find the patient 'difficult'?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy and non-maleficence

Answer

Inappropriate restraint violates the patient's autonomy (right to self-determination) and causes harm, violating non-maleficence.

Question 2

An emergency nurse notices a pattern of racial disparities in pain management among ED patients. The best leadership response is to:

Accepted Answer

Conduct a quality improvement initiative to analyze and address the disparity

Answer

QI initiatives systematically identify and address systemic disparities, aligning with leadership and evidence-based practice standards.

Question 3

Under EMTALA, a patient presenting to an ED requesting evaluation must receive:

Accepted Answer

A medical screening exam regardless of ability to pay

Answer

EMTALA mandates that all patients presenting to an ED receive a medical screening examination regardless of payment status.

Question 4

A nurse preceptor notices a new ED nurse is not performing a skill safely. The best immediate action is to:

Accepted Answer

Intervene to ensure patient safety, then provide structured feedback privately

Answer

Patient safety requires immediate intervention, followed by constructive, private feedback to support the new nurse's professional development.

Question 5

Which best describes the purpose of debriefing after a traumatic or critical incident in the ED?

Accepted Answer

Providing staff with psychological support and identifying systems improvements

Answer

Critical incident debriefing supports staff resilience and identifies process improvements to prevent future occurrences.

(BCEN) Board of Certification of Emergency Nursing Practice Test