PNC Professional Ethics & Communication 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A parishioner discloses during a health screening that she is experiencing domestic violence but begs the parish nurse not to tell anyone. What is the most appropriate initial response?
- Immediately report the situation to the pastor without the parishioner's knowledge
- Acknowledge the disclosure, ensure safety, and explore the parishioner's options and readiness to act (Correct answer)
- Document the information in the parish health records and monitor the situation
- Refer the parishioner to a counselor and consider your obligation fulfilled
Correct answer: Acknowledge the disclosure, ensure safety, and explore the parishioner's options and readiness to act
The parish nurse should first validate the disclosure, assess immediate safety, and collaboratively explore options while respecting the parishioner's autonomy.
Question 2: Which ethical principle is most directly applied when a parish nurse ensures that health information shared in a support group remains confidential?
- Beneficence
- Justice
- Fidelity (Correct answer)
- Nonmaleficence
Correct answer: Fidelity
Fidelity refers to keeping promises and honoring trust, which includes maintaining confidentiality within group settings.
Question 3: A parish nurse learns that a terminally ill parishioner has declined further curative treatment, but the family wants 'everything done.' How should the parish nurse respond?
- Support the family's wishes because they are acting out of love
- Advocate for the parishioner's autonomous decision while helping the family understand and process their grief (Correct answer)
- Remain neutral and defer entirely to the medical team
- Encourage the parishioner to reconsider for the sake of family harmony
Correct answer: Advocate for the parishioner's autonomous decision while helping the family understand and process their grief
Respecting patient autonomy requires advocating for the parishioner's informed decision while providing compassionate support to the family.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of informed consent in the context of parish nursing?
- To protect the parish nurse from legal liability
- To document that the parishioner received health education materials
- To ensure parishioners voluntarily agree to care or services after receiving adequate information (Correct answer)
- To satisfy denominational health ministry requirements
Correct answer: To ensure parishioners voluntarily agree to care or services after receiving adequate information
Informed consent upholds autonomy by ensuring individuals have sufficient information to make voluntary, competent decisions about their care.
Question 5: A parish nurse overhears two church staff members discussing a parishioner's HIV-positive status in a hallway. What action should the parish nurse take?
- Ignore the conversation since it occurred informally
- Report the incident to the church board immediately
- Privately address the staff members about confidentiality obligations and the harm caused by such disclosures (Correct answer)
- Post a general reminder about privacy in the church bulletin
Correct answer: Privately address the staff members about confidentiality obligations and the harm caused by such disclosures
Directly and privately addressing those involved is the most effective and immediate way to correct the breach and reinforce confidentiality standards.
Question 6: When communicating with an elderly parishioner who has mild cognitive impairment, which technique best supports therapeutic communication?
- Use complex medical terminology to maintain professional credibility
- Speak quickly to avoid taxing the parishioner's attention span
- Use simple language, maintain eye contact, and allow extra time for responses (Correct answer)
- Redirect all questions to the parishioner's family caregiver
Correct answer: Use simple language, maintain eye contact, and allow extra time for responses
Clear, simple language combined with patience and nonverbal attentiveness supports comprehension and dignity in cognitively impaired individuals.
Question 7: A parish nurse is asked by the pastor to share the health history of a parishioner who is being considered for a church leadership position. What should the nurse do?
- Share a summary since the pastor has a legitimate need to know
- Decline to share protected health information without the parishioner's written consent (Correct answer)
- Provide general information that does not identify the parishioner
- Consult the church board before deciding
Correct answer: Decline to share protected health information without the parishioner's written consent
Health information is protected and may not be shared with third parties, including clergy, without explicit written consent from the parishioner.
PNC Professional Ethics & Communication 2
A parishioner discloses during a health screening that she is experiencing domestic violence but begs the parish nurse not to tell anyone.
What is the most appropriate initial response?