CARN Professional and Ethical Responsibilities 2

Question 1

A CARN discovers a colleague is diverting controlled substances for personal use. What is the nurse's primary ethical obligation?

Accepted Answer

Report the behavior to the appropriate authority or supervisor immediately

Answer

Confront the colleague privately and allow them to self-report

Answer

Document observations over several weeks before taking action

Answer

Discuss the situation with other staff to gather more evidence

Question 2

Which ethical principle is most directly applied when a CARN ensures a patient with substance use disorder fully understands all treatment options before consenting?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 3

A patient in a methadone maintenance program requests that their treatment information not be shared with their employer. Under 42 CFR Part 2, the nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Obtain written consent from the patient before any disclosure

Answer

Share information if the employer has a legitimate need to know

Answer

Disclose only general status without specific details

Answer

Refer the employer to the medical director for information

Question 4

A CARN is asked by law enforcement to confirm whether a specific individual is enrolled in the clinic's treatment program. The appropriate response is to:

Accepted Answer

Neither confirm nor deny enrollment without a court order or patient consent

Answer

Confirm enrollment but provide no clinical details

Answer

Provide enrollment information since law enforcement has authority

Answer

Consult with the medical director before responding

Question 5

When a CARN identifies a conflict between a patient's treatment goals and the facility's standard protocol, the ethical course of action is to:

Accepted Answer

Advocate for individualized patient care within ethical and legal boundaries

Answer

Always follow facility protocol to avoid liability

Answer

Allow the patient to refuse treatment without further discussion

Answer

Transfer the patient to another provider

Question 6

A patient with opioid use disorder discloses they have been drinking heavily while on buprenorphine. The nurse's priority ethical and clinical obligation is to:

Accepted Answer

Document the disclosure and assess safety risk without punitive response

Answer

Immediately discontinue buprenorphine to prevent harm

Answer

Notify family members about the concurrent alcohol use

Answer

Report the patient to the prescribing physician and discontinue treatment

Question 7

Which action best exemplifies the CARN maintaining professional boundaries with a patient in long-term recovery?

Accepted Answer

Declining a social media connection request from a current patient

Answer

Accepting a small gift as a token of the patient's gratitude

Answer

Providing personal phone number for after-hours support

Answer

Attending the patient's community recovery celebration with supervisor approval