Next Professional Standards and Ethics 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A newly licensed nurse feels pressured by a supervisor to perform a procedure they have not been trained to perform. The appropriate response is to:
- Attempt the procedure carefully while watching a video tutorial
- Decline and explain that performing the procedure is outside their current competence (Correct answer)
- Ask a coworker to supervise them during the procedure
- Complete the procedure quickly to avoid conflict with the supervisor
Correct answer: Decline and explain that performing the procedure is outside their current competence
Nurses must practice within their scope of competence and refuse assignments beyond their training to protect patient safety.
Question 2: Which document serves as the primary guide for nursing professional conduct and ethical obligations in the United States?
- The Joint Commission Standards Manual
- The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses (Correct answer)
- The Nurse Practice Act of each state
- The Hippocratic Oath
Correct answer: The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses
The American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses provides the ethical framework and professional standards for nursing practice.
Question 3: A nurse witnesses a physician making a derogatory comment about a patient based on their race. The nurse's best course of action is to:
- Ignore the comment to avoid conflict with the physician
- Address the behavior and report it through the appropriate chain of command (Correct answer)
- Apologize to the patient on behalf of the physician
- Only intervene if the patient heard the comment
Correct answer: Address the behavior and report it through the appropriate chain of command
Nurses are ethically obligated to advocate for respectful, non-discriminatory care and report unprofessional conduct.
Question 4: What is the ethical term for a patient's right to make informed decisions about their own healthcare?
- Beneficence
- Fidelity
- Autonomy (Correct answer)
- Veracity
Correct answer: Autonomy
Autonomy is the ethical principle recognizing each patient's right to make decisions about their own care based on their values and beliefs.
Question 5: A nurse is caring for a terminally ill patient who expresses a wish to discontinue all life-sustaining treatment. The nurse should first:
- Contact the ethics committee immediately
- Ensure the patient's wishes are communicated to the healthcare team and documented (Correct answer)
- Discuss the decision with the patient's family before taking any action
- Encourage the patient to reconsider their decision
Correct answer: Ensure the patient's wishes are communicated to the healthcare team and documented
The nurse must communicate and document the patient's wishes to ensure the entire healthcare team is informed and can act accordingly.
Question 6: Mandatory reporting laws require nurses to report which of the following?
- Any patient who uses illegal substances
- Suspected cases of child abuse or neglect (Correct answer)
- Patients who refuse recommended treatments
- All communicable diseases to insurance companies
Correct answer: Suspected cases of child abuse or neglect
Nurses are mandated reporters and must report suspected child abuse or neglect to the appropriate child protective services.
Question 7: A nurse who participates in professional development activities and continuing education is demonstrating which standard of professional practice?
- Beneficence
- Accountability
- Lifelong learning and professional growth (Correct answer)
- Scope of practice compliance
Correct answer: Lifelong learning and professional growth
Maintaining competence through continuing education reflects the professional standard of lifelong learning and commitment to quality care.
Next Professional Standards and Ethics 3
A newly licensed nurse feels pressured by a supervisor to perform a procedure they have not been trained to perform.
The appropriate response is to: