VABC Ethical Considerations 5

Question 1

A patient with decision-making capacity requests removal of their tunneled catheter against medical advice. Which response is most ethically appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Honor the request after ensuring the patient understands the risks

Answer

A competent patient's right to refuse or discontinue treatment must be respected after ensuring informed understanding of the consequences.

Question 2

When participating in vascular access research involving patients, which ethical requirement is paramount?

Accepted Answer

Voluntary informed consent free from coercion before study participation

Answer

Ethical research requires voluntary, informed participation; coercion or deception violates foundational research ethics principles established by codes such as Belmont.

Question 3

A nurse documents a complication that occurred during catheter insertion that was not caused by her but by a previous clinician. The ethical obligation is to:

Accepted Answer

Accurately document the finding as observed, without assigning blame in the record

Answer

Accurate documentation of clinical findings is an ethical duty; assigning blame in the chart is inappropriate, but omitting findings is dishonest.

Question 4

Which scenario represents an ethically appropriate use of a patient's vascular access for blood draws in a teaching hospital?

Accepted Answer

Informing the patient that trainees may be involved and obtaining their permission

Answer

Patients must be informed and consent to trainee involvement in their care, balancing education needs with patient rights.

Question 5

An oncology patient's family asks the vascular access nurse to hide the cancer diagnosis from the patient. The nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Explain that withholding a diagnosis from a competent patient violates the patient's rights

Answer

Withholding a diagnosis from a competent patient violates their right to truth and autonomous decision-making, regardless of family wishes.

(VABC) Vascular Access Board Certification Practice Test

(VABC) Vascular Access Board Certification Practice Test

VABC Ethical Considerations 5