Obstetric Nurse Test Obstetric Nurse Professional and Ethical Issues 3

Question 1

A nurse caring for a laboring patient is asked by the patient's estranged husband for updates on her condition. The nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Provide information only if the patient has given written authorization

Answer

HIPAA requires patient authorization before releasing protected health information to anyone, including legal spouses.

Question 2

Which scenario best illustrates the ethical concept of non-maleficence in obstetric nursing?

Accepted Answer

Withholding a uterotonic when it is not clinically indicated to avoid risk of uterine hyperstimulation

Answer

Non-maleficence means avoiding harm; withholding a drug when its risks outweigh benefits protects the patient from unnecessary injury.

Question 3

An obstetric nurse is floated to the neonatal intensive care unit where she lacks competency. She should:

Accepted Answer

Communicate her skill limitations to the supervisor and request appropriate orientation or reassignment

Answer

Nurses are professionally obligated to communicate competency gaps to protect patient safety, not simply accept unsafe assignments.

Question 4

During a home visit, a postpartum nurse notices signs of intimate partner violence. The nurse's first action should be to:

Accepted Answer

Privately screen the patient using a validated tool and provide safety resources

Answer

Private screening followed by resource provision respects autonomy and safety while fulfilling the nurse's duty to identify and respond to abuse.

Question 5

A competent postpartum patient declines recommended hepatitis B vaccination for her newborn citing religious beliefs. The nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Provide balanced education, document the informed refusal, and respect the decision

Answer

While the nurse should educate, competent parents have the right to refuse non-emergent newborn treatments, and the refusal must be documented.

Obstetric Nurse Test Practice Test