Professional Standards and Ethics Flashcards

A nurse discovers that a colleague has been falsifying patient medication records. What is the nurse's primary ethical obligation?

Answer: Report the behavior to the appropriate supervisor or authority

Nurses have an ethical and legal obligation to report unsafe or unethical practices that could harm patients, regardless of collegial relationships.

Which principle of biomedical ethics requires healthcare professionals to act in the best interest of the patient?

Answer: Beneficence

Beneficence means taking positive actions to promote patient well-being and act in their best interest.

A patient refuses a blood transfusion based on religious beliefs, even though it is medically necessary. The nurse should:

Answer: Document the refusal and respect the patient's decision after ensuring informed refusal

Competent adult patients have the right to refuse treatment; nurses must document the informed refusal and respect the decision.

What does the principle of nonmaleficence specifically require of healthcare professionals?

Answer: Avoid causing unnecessary harm to patients

Nonmaleficence means 'do no harm' — professionals must avoid actions that could cause unnecessary harm or suffering.

A nurse is asked by a pharmaceutical company representative to promote their medication to patients in exchange for gifts. The nurse should:

Answer: Decline and report the offer to hospital administration as a conflict of interest

Accepting gifts from pharmaceutical companies creates a conflict of interest that can compromise professional objectivity and patient care.

When a patient's family requests information about the patient's diagnosis without the patient's consent, the nurse should:

Answer: Decline to share confidential information without the patient's consent

Patient confidentiality requires that health information not be shared without explicit patient authorization, regardless of who is asking.

The concept of 'justice' in healthcare ethics primarily refers to:

Answer: Fair and equitable distribution of healthcare resources and treatment

Justice in ethics means treating patients fairly and distributing healthcare resources equitably without discrimination.