Professional Ethics and Standards Flashcards

A nurse aide disagrees with a care plan decision made by the nurse. The best professional response is to:

Answer: Voice concerns to the nurse through proper communication channels

Professional ethics require raising concerns respectfully through proper channels rather than unilaterally changing care or remaining silent.

Which situation represents a conflict of interest for a nurse aide?

Answer: Being listed as a beneficiary in a resident's will

Being named in a resident's will creates a financial conflict of interest and is prohibited; it can also be considered financial exploitation.

A nurse aide is asked by a supervisor to perform a task they have not been trained to perform. The aide should:

Answer: Inform the supervisor they have not been trained and decline until properly trained

Performing tasks beyond one's training is unsafe and unethical; the aide must communicate their limitations and request proper training.

What is the purpose of the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act for nurse aides?

Answer: To protect residents by screening out individuals with disqualifying criminal histories

Illinois law requires background checks for health care workers to protect vulnerable residents from individuals with histories of abuse or relevant crimes.

A resident requests that their roommate not be told about their new diagnosis. The nurse aide should:

Answer: Respect the resident's privacy and share nothing with the roommate

Each resident's medical information is strictly confidential and must not be disclosed to other residents or unrelated parties.

Which of the following is a nurse aide's ethical obligation when working with a resident who has dementia?

Answer: Use therapeutic fibbing only when it prevents distress and is approved in the care plan

Therapeutic fibbing or validation techniques may be used when approved and necessary to avoid distress, but must never be used in a harmful or deceptive way.

A newly hired nurse aide observes a long-term coworker skipping hand hygiene between resident rooms. The appropriate action is to:

Answer: Politely mention it or report it to the charge nurse as an infection control concern

Infection control is everyone's responsibility; failing to perform hand hygiene endangers residents and must be addressed regardless of seniority.