CNOR Professional Accountability and Ethics 4

Question 1

Under which circumstance is it ethically permissible for a perioperative nurse to share a patient's health information without consent?

Accepted Answer

When required by mandatory reporting laws such as gunshot wounds or communicable diseases

Answer

Mandatory reporting laws legally require disclosure of specific conditions (e.g., gunshot wounds, reportable diseases) without patient consent.

Question 2

A perioperative nurse identifies a gap between current practice and AORN evidence-based guidelines. The BEST professional response is to:

Accepted Answer

Bring the gap to the attention of the manager and recommend a practice improvement plan

Answer

Professional accountability includes identifying practice gaps and advocating for evidence-based improvements through formal channels.

Question 3

The ethical principle of JUSTICE in perioperative nursing MOST directly relates to:

Accepted Answer

Ensuring all patients receive equal, fair access to care and resources

Answer

Justice requires fair distribution of care and resources without discrimination based on personal characteristics.

Question 4

A nurse is asked to circulate a procedure they have not been trained to perform. The nurse's ethical obligation is to:

Accepted Answer

Decline and inform the charge nurse, stating the lack of training

Answer

Nurses are professionally and legally accountable for practicing within their competence level and must decline assignments beyond their training.

Question 5

Which action is an example of the perioperative nurse fulfilling the advocacy role?

Accepted Answer

Speaking up when the patient's surgical site mark does not match the consent form

Answer

Patient advocacy requires the nurse to halt proceedings and clarify discrepancies that could result in wrong-site surgery.

CNOR - Certification Exam Practice Test