Professional Standards & Ethics Flashcards
7 cards from real CMC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Professional Standards & Ethics flashcards as text
A cardiac nurse discovers that a colleague falsified a patient's medication administration record. What is the most appropriate first action?
Answer: Report the incident to the charge nurse or supervisor immediately
Patient safety and professional integrity require immediate reporting to a supervisor when a colleague falsifies medical records.
Under HIPAA, which of the following is a permitted disclosure of protected health information (PHI) without patient authorization?
Answer: Reporting communicable disease data to public health authorities
HIPAA permits disclosure of PHI to public health authorities for disease surveillance without patient authorization.
A cardiologist recommends an expensive procedure that the patient's insurance does not cover. The patient asks if a cheaper alternative exists. The ethical principle most relevant here is:
Answer: Veracity
Veracity obligates clinicians to be truthful and forthcoming about treatment alternatives and costs.
Which body governs the CMC (Cardiac Medicine Certification) credential and sets its professional standards?
Answer: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
The AACN administers the CMC certification and establishes the standards and eligibility requirements for the credential.
A CMC-certified nurse's patient refuses a life-saving cardioversion. The nurse should:
Answer: Document the refusal and notify the physician, respecting the patient's autonomy
A competent patient has the right to refuse treatment; the nurse must document the refusal and communicate it to the care team.
Maintaining CMC certification requires the nurse to:
Answer: Complete continuing education and renew the credential every three years
AACN CMC certification is valid for three years and renewal requires completion of continuing education or re-examination.
A patient with end-stage heart failure asks the cardiac care team to discontinue mechanical circulatory support. The ethical framework most supportive of honoring this request is:
Answer: Respect for patient autonomy and self-determination
Respect for autonomy supports a competent patient's right to withdraw life-sustaining treatment, including mechanical support.