CCRN Professional and Ethical Practice 2

Question 1

A competent patient refuses a recommended dialysis treatment. What is the nurse's primary ethical obligation?

Accepted Answer

Respect the patient's autonomous decision after ensuring informed understanding

Answer

Notify the family to override the decision

Answer

Proceed with treatment to preserve life

Answer

Have the patient declared incompetent

Question 2

Which ethical principle is violated when a nurse withholds the truth about a poor prognosis from a patient who wants to know?

Accepted Answer

Veracity

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Nonmaleficence

Question 3

A nurse notices a colleague diverting opioids. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Report the concern through proper institutional channels

Answer

Confront and warn the colleague privately only

Answer

Ignore it without proof

Answer

Document it but take no further action

Question 4

The ethical principle of justice in critical care primarily concerns:

Accepted Answer

Fair and equitable allocation of resources and care

Answer

Doing no harm to patients

Answer

Keeping promises to patients

Answer

Honoring patient wishes

Question 5

A family asks the nurse to not tell the patient about a cancer diagnosis. The best response is to:

Accepted Answer

Explore the patient's wishes about how much information they want to receive

Answer

Comply with the family's request

Answer

Immediately disclose all details to the patient

Answer

Refer the decision entirely to the physician

Question 6

Which document allows a patient to designate someone to make healthcare decisions if they become incapacitated?

Accepted Answer

Durable power of attorney for healthcare

Answer

Living will

Answer

DNR order

Answer

Informed consent form

Question 7

Nonmaleficence is best demonstrated when a nurse:

Accepted Answer

Double-checks a high-alert medication dose before administration

Answer

Advocates for equal resource distribution

Answer

Tells the patient the full truth

Answer

Honors a patient's treatment refusal