GI Professional Ethics & Communication 3

Question 1

A patient reports their GI symptoms improved after stopping a medication their doctor prescribed. They ask you to confirm they should stop it. You should:

Accepted Answer

Advise the patient to discuss medication changes with their physician before stopping

Answer

Medication changes require physician oversight; nurses should not endorse unilateral changes without clinical evaluation.

Question 2

During a colonoscopy prep education session, a patient discloses they have been drinking heavily daily. The nurse's priority is to:

Accepted Answer

Assess for alcohol withdrawal risk and notify the physician before proceeding

Answer

Heavy alcohol use creates risk for withdrawal during procedural sedation, requiring physician notification.

Question 3

What is the ethical principle most directly supported by obtaining informed consent before a GI procedure?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Informed consent upholds patient autonomy by ensuring individuals make knowledgeable decisions about their own care.

Question 4

A GI nurse is asked by a pharmaceutical representative to recommend a specific laxative product to patients. The nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Decline, as recommending specific products for compensation creates a conflict of interest

Answer

Accepting incentives to recommend products compromises professional integrity and patient-centered care.

Question 5

A patient recovering from liver failure is deemed to lack decision-making capacity. Who has the authority to make medical decisions on their behalf?

Accepted Answer

The legally designated healthcare proxy or next of kin, per state law

Answer

Surrogate decision-making follows a legally established hierarchy, typically beginning with the designated healthcare proxy.

(GI) Gastrointestinal Practice Test

(GI) Gastrointestinal Practice Test

GI Professional Ethics & Communication 3