PCCN Professional Caring & Ethics

Question 1

A nurse notices that a colleague is documenting vital signs without actually taking them. What is the most appropriate first step?

Accepted Answer

Report the behavior to the nurse manager

Answer

Ignore the situation

Answer

Confront the colleague in front of others

Answer

Document your own vital signs over theirs

Question 2

What principle of ethical practice is demonstrated by respecting a patient’s right to refuse treatment?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Nonmaleficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Fidelity

Question 3

Which action by the nurse demonstrates advocacy for a critically ill patient?

Accepted Answer

Communicating the patient’s wishes to the care team

Answer

Administering medications on time

Answer

Reassuring the patient’s family that everything is fine

Answer

Avoiding conflict with the healthcare provider

Question 4

A nurse assigned to care for a former romantic partner should:

Accepted Answer

Request reassignment to avoid potential conflict

Answer

Continue with care as assigned

Answer

Ask a co-worker to do all treatments

Answer

Inform the patient not to disclose their past relationship

Question 5

A nurse forgets to document a dose of medication but gave it. What is the appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Chart a late entry with the correct time and explanation

Answer

Ignore it to avoid getting in trouble

Answer

Create a new entry with the current time

Answer

Alter the MAR to show it was given earlier

Question 6

Which ethical principle involves doing no harm to the patient?

Accepted Answer

Nonmaleficence

Answer

Veracity

Answer

Justice

Answer

Autonomy

Question 7

Confidentiality is best maintained in the progressive care setting by:

Accepted Answer

Speaking quietly during handoff at the nurses' station

Answer

Discussing patient cases during breaks in the lounge

Answer

Using only initials on whiteboards

Answer

Sharing information only with friends or family

Question 8

Which action best reflects the ethical principle of justice in nursing?

Accepted Answer

Providing equal care and resources to all patients

Answer

Spending more time with the most agreeable patient

Answer

Prioritizing care based on who arrives first

Answer

Choosing to help the family of a VIP patient first

Question 9

When a nurse admits a terminally ill patient who requests no life-prolonging treatment, the nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Call the physician to clarify advance directives

Answer

Inform the patient they must be resuscitated in all situations

Answer

Provide life-sustaining treatments until the DNR is written

Answer

Respect the verbal request as legal and stop all interventions