Obstetric Nurse Test Obstetric Nurse Professional and Ethical Issues 2

Question 1

A laboring patient refuses a recommended cesarean section despite documented fetal distress. What is the nurse's primary ethical obligation?

Accepted Answer

Document the refusal, inform the provider, and continue monitoring

Answer

Respecting patient autonomy means accepting a competent adult's refusal while ensuring the provider is notified and care continues.

Question 2

Which action best reflects the obstetric nurse's role as a patient advocate during the informed consent process?

Accepted Answer

Ensure the patient understands the information provided and has had questions answered

Answer

Advocacy requires verifying the patient genuinely understands risks, benefits, and alternatives before signing.

Question 3

An obstetric nurse suspects a colleague is diverting opioids from postpartum patients. The most appropriate first step is to:

Accepted Answer

Report the suspicion to the nurse manager or designated supervisor

Answer

Suspected diversion must be reported through the proper chain of command to protect patient safety and comply with regulatory obligations.

Question 4

A postpartum patient who is a minor requests that her parents not be told about a complication from her delivery. Under HIPAA, the nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Honor the request if the minor has the legal right to consent to her own obstetric care

Answer

When a minor has the legal right to consent to obstetric care, she also controls disclosure of related health information under HIPAA.

Question 5

During a shift, a nurse realizes she made a medication error on a postpartum patient. The ethical principle of veracity requires the nurse to:

Accepted Answer

Disclose the error to the patient and provider and complete an incident report

Answer

Veracity (truthfulness) obligates the nurse to disclose errors to the patient and care team and report through institutional channels.

Obstetric Nurse Test Practice Test