One of your staff nurses asks for your advice because a patient refuses to sign a consent for surgery. The patient says that he won't sign because he doesn't understand the nature of the surgery. You advise that (select all that apply):
a. Consent must not be coerced.
b. The patient has a right to choose not to consent.
c. The patient must sign the consent because the doctor wants him to sign.
d. Witnessing a consent is related only to the voluntary nature of the signature.
Question 2In a telehealth organization, a nurse who is licensed in New York and Pennsylvania provides teaching to a patient who resides in Pennsylvania.
The patient charges that the teaching failed to provide significant information about a potential side effect, which led to delay in seeking treatment and untoward harm. Under which state nurse practice act and standards would this situation be considered?
a. New York
b. Pennsylvania
c. Neither New York nor Pennsylvania
d. Both New York and Pennsylvania
Question 3A member of a patient's family calls the nurse manager of the palliative care unit to express concern that a member of the family, who died on the weekend, had requested analgesics from the RNs on duty.
An RN came with the analgesic nearly 45 minutes later, just after the patient had died. The manager is aware that the unit was especially busy that weekend because many patients were seriously ill, staff had called in ill, and the staffing manager was unable to completely replace staff who were absent. The manager is deeply troubled that the family member had to die in pain because it violates what she knows should have been done. This manager is experiencing:
a. Compromised agency.
b. Moral distress.
c. Moral sensitivity.
d. Moral dilemma.
Question 4Mr. M. complains to you that one of your staff asked him details about his sexual relationships and financial affairs.
He says that these questions were probing and unnecessary to his care, but he felt that if he refused to answer, the nurse would be angry with him and would not provide him with good care. Mr. M.'s statements reflect concern with:
a. Privacy.
b. Confidentiality.
c. Veracity.
d. Informed consent.
Question 5Which ethical principle is primarily involved in informed consent?
a. Veracity
b. Autonomy
c. Beneficence
d. Nonmaleficence
Question 6Three gravely ill patients are candidates for the only available bed in the ICU. As the supervisor, you assign the bed to the patient with the best chance of recovery. This decision reflects which of the following ethical principles?
a. Beneficence
b. Autonomy
c. Veracity
d. Nonmaleficence
Question 7During a staff shortage, you hire an RN from a temporary agency. The RN administers a wrong IV medication that results in cardiac arrest and a difficult recovery for the patient. Liability in this situation:
a. Is limited to the temporary agency.
b. Is restricted to the RN.
c. Could include the RN, the agency, and your institution.
d. May depend on the patient's belief regarding the employment relationship.
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