Next Professional Standards and Ethics 3

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:

Accepted Answer

Decline and explain that performing the procedure is outside their current competence

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses

Answer

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:

Accepted Answer

Address the behavior and report it through the appropriate chain of command

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

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:

Accepted Answer

Ensure the patient's wishes are communicated to the healthcare team and documented

Answer

The nurse must communicate and document the patient's wishes to ensure the entire healthcare team is informed and can act accordingly.

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