CPNRE - Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination Professional and Ethical Practice Questions and Answers

Question 1

A practical nurse is caring for a client who has expressed a desire to refuse further life-sustaining treatment.
The client's family is strongly opposed to this decision.
Which of the following actions best demonstrates the practical nurse's adherence to ethical principles?

Accepted Answer

Advocating for the client's right to autonomy and informed decision-making.

Answer

Following the family's wishes, as they are the client's support system.

Answer

Requesting a psychiatric evaluation to assess the client's decision-making capacity.

Answer

Organizing a meeting with the hospital's ethics committee without the client's knowledge.

Question 2

A colleague, another practical nurse, is consistently documenting the administration of pain medication to a client, but the client continues to report severe, uncontrolled pain. The practical nurse notices that the colleague appears impaired during their shifts. What is the most appropriate initial action for the practical nurse to take?

Accepted Answer

Report the observations and concerns to the nursing supervisor or manager.

Answer

Confront the colleague directly and accuse them of diverting medication.

Answer

Discuss the situation with other colleagues to see if they have noticed similar behaviors.

Answer

Document the colleague's behavior in the client's chart.

Question 3

Which of the following scenarios constitutes a breach of client confidentiality by a practical nurse?

Accepted Answer

Discussing a client's difficult diagnosis with a spouse who is not the designated substitute decision-maker, without the client's consent.

Answer

Sharing client information with the oncoming nurse during a shift report.

Answer

Informing the pharmacist about a client's allergy before dispensing a new medication.

Answer

Collaborating with the physiotherapist about a client's mobility status and care plan.

Question 4

A practical nurse is assigned to care for a client whose cultural and religious beliefs differ significantly from their own. The client is refusing a specific medical procedure recommended by the physician due to these beliefs. The nurse's first response should be to:

Accepted Answer

Respect the client's decision and explore their beliefs and values with cultural sensitivity.

Answer

Explain to the client why the procedure is medically necessary and attempt to change their mind.

Answer

Document the refusal and proceed with other aspects of the care plan.

Answer

Request to be reassigned to another client to avoid a conflict of values.

Question 5

A practical nurse is asked by a physician to perform a task that is outside the LPN's legislated scope of practice. Which of the following statements reflects the nurse's professional accountability?

Accepted Answer

"I am not authorized or competent to perform this task; we need to find an appropriate practitioner."

Answer

"I will do it this one time since you are here to supervise me."

Answer

"I have not performed this task before, but I am a quick learner."

Answer

"I will document that you ordered me to perform this task to ensure I am covered."

Question 6

In the context of obtaining informed consent, the practical nurse's role is primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Verify that the client understands the information provided by the primary healthcare provider and advocate for their rights.

Answer

Explain the risks and benefits of the medical procedure in detail.

Answer

Select the best treatment option for the client.

Answer

Ensure the consent form is signed and placed in the client's chart.