VABC Ethical Considerations 2

Question 1

A patient with dementia cannot verbally consent to PICC placement. Which action is most ethically appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Obtain consent from the legally authorized surrogate decision-maker

Answer

When a patient lacks decision-making capacity, a legally authorized surrogate must provide informed consent on the patient's behalf.

Question 2

A vascular access nurse discovers a colleague routinely reuses single-use catheters to save costs. What is the ethical obligation?

Accepted Answer

Report the practice through appropriate institutional channels

Answer

Reusing single-use devices violates patient safety standards, and clinicians have an ethical duty to report unsafe practices.

Question 3

Which ethical principle is BEST reflected when a nurse explains all risks, benefits, and alternatives before a vascular access procedure?

Accepted Answer

Respect for autonomy

Answer

Providing complete information for informed decision-making directly supports the patient's right to autonomy.

Question 4

A patient refuses central venous access despite the physician's recommendation. The nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Document the refusal and advocate for the patient's decision

Answer

A competent patient has the right to refuse treatment, and the nurse must document this and support the patient's autonomous decision.

Question 5

A pharmaceutical company offers a vascular access team expensive gifts in exchange for using their catheters exclusively. Accepting these gifts would violate which principle?

Accepted Answer

Impartiality and avoidance of conflicts of interest

Answer

Accepting gifts that influence clinical decisions creates a conflict of interest and compromises the integrity of patient-centered care.

(VABC) Vascular Access Board Certification Practice Test

(VABC) Vascular Access Board Certification Practice Test

VABC Ethical Considerations 2