Professional and Ethical Practice Flashcards

A client asks a practical nurse to keep information secret from their family. Later, the family demands to know why the client is being treated. What is the correct action?

Answer: Maintain the client's confidentiality and inform the family that health information is the client's private matter

Competent adult clients have the right to control their health information, including withholding it from family members.

Which behavior best demonstrates a practical nurse's commitment to continuing competence?

Answer: Seeking additional education after identifying a knowledge gap during practice

Self-identified learning and proactive education demonstrate genuine commitment to continuing competence rather than minimum compliance.

A client in acute pain rates their pain 9/10. The ordered analgesic is due in 2 hours. Which response best demonstrates the ethical principle of beneficence?

Answer: Assess fully, review for PRN medications, and contact the physician to discuss uncontrolled pain

Beneficence requires actively intervening to promote the client's well-being. Severe pain requires active advocacy, not passive waiting.

Which approach best ensures accurate medication reconciliation on admission?

Answer: Obtain a complete medication history from multiple sources: client/family interview, community pharmacy, and previous health records

Medication reconciliation accuracy requires a Best Possible Medication History (BPMH) obtained from multiple sources to identify all medications.

A practical nurse is caring for an Indigenous client who has requested a traditional healing ceremony in their hospital room. How should the nurse respond?

Answer: Support the request by facilitating the ceremony with the care team, following hospital policy on traditional healing

Indigenous clients have the right to access traditional healing practices as part of culturally safe care. The nurse should facilitate the ceremony by coordinating with the care team.

A practical nurse feels personally uncomfortable caring for a client seeking a legal medical procedure that conflicts with their religious beliefs. What is the ethical course of action?

Answer: Continue to provide safe and ethical care and, if conscientious objection exists, follow the facility's policy while ensuring client care is not compromised

Conscientious objection is recognized in Canadian nursing ethics, but the nurse must ensure client care is not compromised and must follow the facility's policy for proper transfer of care.