Professional and Ethical Practice Flashcards

An RPN is caring for a client who is refusing a prescribed medication that is crucial for managing their chronic condition. The client is alert and oriented. Which of the following actions best demonstrates the RPN's adherence to the ethical principle of client choice?

Answer: Documenting the refusal and exploring the client's reasons for declining the medication.

The CNO Ethics Practice Standard emphasizes respecting client choice. The most appropriate action is to explore the client's reasoning behind the refusal, which respects their autonomy and allows the nurse to provide further education or address misconceptions. Documenting the refusal is also a critical part of accountability.

A fellow RPN consistently arrives late for their shift, leaving the unit understaffed for the first hour. Which professional standard is this RPN failing to uphold?

Answer: Accountability

The CNO Professional Standards state that accountability includes being responsible for one's actions and ensuring that practice and conduct meet the standards of the profession. Consistently being late demonstrates a lack of accountability to the public, clients, and colleagues, as it can compromise client safety and care.

An RPN receives a friend request on social media from a client they are currently providing care for in a long-term care facility. What is the most appropriate action for the RPN to take to maintain professional boundaries?

Answer: Politely decline the request and explain the importance of maintaining a therapeutic relationship.

Maintaining professional boundaries is a key responsibility for nurses. Accepting a social media request blurs the lines between a therapeutic and personal relationship, which can lead to a boundary violation. The most professional response is to decline and gently explain the rationale for keeping the relationship professional to protect both the client and the nurse.

While providing care, an RPN notices a colleague documenting a procedure that was not actually performed. According to the CNO standards, what is the RPN's primary responsibility?

Answer: Report the incident to the immediate supervisor or nurse manager.

Nurses have an ethical and professional responsibility to act when they witness unsafe or unprofessional conduct. The principle of accountability requires the RPN to report the falsification of documentation to the appropriate authority, such as a manager, to ensure client safety and address the professional misconduct.

Which of the following scenarios falls within the RPN's autonomous scope of practice in Ontario, according to the Regulated Health Professions Act and the Nursing Act?

Answer: Initiating wound care for a stage 2 pressure ulcer based on a directive.

The scope of practice for an RPN is different from that of an RN or NP. While RPNs cannot independently diagnose or prescribe medications, they can initiate certain procedures if an order or directive is in place and they have the competence to do so. Wound care for a stable, less complex wound often falls within the RPN scope when guided by established protocols or directives.

A client offers an RPN a gift card as a token of appreciation for excellent care. Which action best aligns with the CNO's guidelines on maintaining professional boundaries?

Answer: Politely declining the gift and explaining the policy on accepting gifts.

The CNO's practice standard on the Therapeutic Nurse-Client Relationship advises against accepting gifts of significant value to avoid creating a conflict of interest or a feeling of obligation. While small tokens may be acceptable in some contexts, the most professional and safest action is to politely decline and explain the professional and organizational policies. This maintains a clear boundary and ensures the relationship remains therapeutic.