VA-BC Ethical Considerations 2

Question 1

A patient with advanced dementia requires a PICC line but cannot provide informed consent. Who is the most appropriate person to provide surrogate consent?

Accepted Answer

The legally designated healthcare proxy or durable power of attorney

Answer

The legally designated healthcare proxy or durable power of attorney has legal authority to make medical decisions when the patient lacks decision-making capacity.

Question 2

A patient refuses a recommended central venous catheter despite being informed of the risks of the alternative. The nurse's ethical obligation is to:

Accepted Answer

Document the refusal, ensure the patient is informed, and respect the decision

Answer

Respecting patient autonomy requires documenting an informed refusal and honoring the competent patient's decision.

Question 3

Which ethical principle is MOST directly applied when a vascular access nurse advocates for a patient who cannot afford a preferred device?

Accepted Answer

Justice

Answer

Justice refers to fair distribution of resources and advocating for equitable access to care regardless of financial status.

Question 4

A VA nurse is asked by a family member to insert a peripheral IV in a hospice patient whose goals of care explicitly exclude invasive interventions. The nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Decline and explain that the intervention conflicts with the patient's documented goals of care

Answer

Documented goals of care reflecting patient autonomy take precedence over family requests when the patient has clearly expressed wishes.

Question 5

When a nurse witnesses a colleague performing a vascular access procedure using non-sterile technique, the primary ethical obligation is to:

Accepted Answer

Intervene immediately to protect the patient from harm

Answer

Nonmaleficence and patient advocacy require immediate intervention when a patient faces imminent harm from unsafe practice.

(VA-BC) Vascular Access Nurse Certification Practice Test

(VA-BC) Vascular Access Nurse Certification Practice Test

VA-BC Ethical Considerations 2