CPAN Professional Ethics and Standards 2

Question 1

A post-anesthesia nurse discovers a colleague falsifying pain scores in patient documentation. What is the MOST appropriate immediate action?

Accepted Answer

Report the finding through the facility's established chain of command

Answer

Falsification of medical records is a serious ethical and legal violation that must be reported through the proper chain of command to protect patient safety.

Question 2

Which principle of bioethics obligates a CPAN nurse to provide post-anesthesia care that promotes patient well-being and prevents harm?

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Beneficence is the ethical principle that requires healthcare providers to act in the best interest of the patient and promote their well-being.

Question 3

A PACU nurse is asked by a surgeon to discharge a patient whose pain is not adequately controlled to free up bed space. The nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Advocate for the patient and communicate clinical concerns to the surgeon and charge nurse

Answer

Patient advocacy is a core nursing responsibility; the nurse must communicate clinical concerns and advocate against premature discharge when safety criteria are not met.

Question 4

ASPAN's Standards of PeriAnesthesia Nursing Practice serve primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Provide a framework for safe, evidence-based perianesthesia nursing care

Answer

ASPAN standards provide a professional framework for evidence-based, safe perianesthesia nursing practice and guide clinical decision-making.

Question 5

A patient in the PACU is agitated and attempts to remove their IV. They lack decision-making capacity at this moment. Which ethical principle MOST supports using a soft restraint if less restrictive measures fail?

Accepted Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Non-maleficence ('do no harm') supports using the least restrictive restraint necessary to prevent the patient from harming themselves when they temporarily lack decision-making capacity.

(CPAN) Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse Practice Test

(CPAN) Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse Practice Test

CPAN Professional Ethics and Standards 2