A nurse informs the patient's health care provider that the patient is refusing potentially life saving surgery. In this situation, which ethical
... [Show More] principle is the nurse using?
Beneficence
Nonmaleficence
Autonomy
Justice
Autonomy
Using the principle of autonomy allows individuals to have the right to determine their own actions and make their own choices. Calling the health care provider to report the patient's refusal of surgery demonstrates the nurse's use of autonomy to guide practice. Beneficence is frequently described as "the doing of good." Nonmaleficence is the duty to do no harm. A description of justice includes patients with the same diagnosis and health care needs receiving the same care.
On a medical unit, several patients are being treated for Hepatitis B infection. One of the patients contracted Hepatitis B through using infected needles associated with heroin use. Another of the patients contracted Hepatitis B through a blood transfusion following a car accident. Several of the employees on the unit treat the patient who used heroin rudely and delay their attention to the patient's requests. The nurse intervenes and reminds the staff to use which ethical principle?
Justice
Nonmaleficence
Beneficence
Autonomy
Justice
Justice describes providing patients with the same diagnosis and health care needs the same care. By delaying attention to the patient's requests and treating the patient rudely, the staff is not using the principle of justice. Nonmaleficence is the duty to do no harm. Beneficence is frequently described as "the doing of good." Autonomy means that individuals have the right to determine their own actions and the freedom to make their own decisions.
A nurse is providing patient teaching for a patient undergoing chemotherapy. The nurse is explaining that the chemotherapy will cause some unpleasant side effects, such as nausea and hair loss. In this situation, the nurse is using which ethical principle?
Beneficence
Nonmaleficence
Autonomy
Justice
Nonmaleficence
Nonmaleficence involves the duty to do no harm. Although the patient will experience nausea and hair loss (harm), the treatment will eventually produce good for the patient. Beneficence is frequently defined as the "doing of good." Autonomy means that individuals have the right to determine their own actions and the freedom to make their own decisions. Justice means that the same care is provided to patients with similar diseases and health care needs.
A nurse is on duty in the emergency room when the nurse is notified that a school bus has been struck by a train. Immediately the nurse reports to the triage area and begins the task of determining the severity of injuries, so that the most critical patients receive care first. Which ethical theory is the nurse putting into action?
Utilitarianism
Act deontology
Rule deontology
Virtue ethics
Utilitarianism
Utilitarian ethics states that "what makes an action right or wrong is its utility, with useful actions bringing about the greatest good for the greatest number of people." By triaging the patients according to the severity of the injury, the nurse will be able to save the lives of more patients, thus doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Act deontologists determine the right thing to do by gathering all the facts and then making a decision. Rule deontologists emphasize that principles guide our actions. Virtue ethics are tendencies to act, feel, and judge that develop through appropriate training but come from natural tendencies.
A nurse is working in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) where a premature baby (26 weeks gestation) is facing respiratory disorders, numerous infections, and a brain hemorrhage. The parents want every measure to be taken to keep their baby alive, but several members of the health care team are advocating removal of life support. The nurse believes there are several ethical issues involved in this case. What step should the nurse take first when facing an ethical dilemma?
Gather as much information as possible about the situation
Identify the options available in this situation
Act in a fair and equitable manner for all involved
Evaluate the actions taken using ethical principles
Gather as much information as possible about the situation
The nurse should clarify the ethical dilemma by gathering as much information as possible about the situation. This compares with the assessment phase of the nursing process and is the first step in the ethical decision making model. Most ethical dilemmas have multiple options, which should all be considered, but gathering additional data must be the first step. Making a decision and acting in a fair and equitable manner must take place, but gathering additional data is the first step. Evaluating the actions taken is the last step of the ethical decision making model.
A nurse reports a medication error and monitors the patient, who suffers no ill effects. Which element is lacking to prove nursing malpractice?
Duty of care
Breach of duty
Injury
Standard of care
Injury
Since there is no injury, then malpractice cannot be proven. Breach of duty, duty of care, and standard of care are not relevant elements in this case.
The patient has a central venous line. The registered nurse (RN) delegates changing the sterile dressing over the line to a nursing assistant. The nursing assistant does not understand sterile technique and contaminates the dressing. An infection develops in the patient. The nurse manager discusses the action of the RN. Which statement is correct regarding the nurse's action?
The nursing assistant is guilty of malpractice.
The nurse is responsible for the acts delegated.
The hospital cannot be held responsible for the act of its employees.
No harm came to the patient, so a malpractice suit cannot be claimed.
The nurse is responsible for the acts delegated.
The registered nurse is responsible for delegating appropriately. It is not appropriate to delegate a skill requiring sterile technique and assessment of a central line site to a nursing assistant. It is not within the nursing assistant's scope of practice to perform central line dressing changes. The hospital is responsible for the acts of its employees under the concept of respondeat superior. Harm was caused by this act, since the patient did develop an infection, so a malpractice suit can be claimed.
The registered nurse, employed by the risk management department of a hospital is giving an inservice class on social media to nursing employees. Which one of these statements should be included in this class?
Posts are private and accessible only to the intended recipient.
Once content has been deleted, it is no longer accessible.
No harm is done if patient information is disclosed only to the intended recipient.
The nurse should not refer to a patient, even by nickname or room number.
The nurse should not refer to a patient, even by nickname or room number.
The nurse should never refer to a patient on social media, even by nickname or room number. Social media posts are not considered private and are not always accessible only to the intended recipient. Even deleted content is accessible at times on social media. Disclosing any patient information is a harmful act, even if it is disclosed only to the intended recipient.
The registered nurse (RN), who is supervising a group of nurses at a health clinic, overhears a nurse telling a patient, "If you do not stop shouting, I am going to give you an injection." The RN immediately intervenes and tells the nurse this action can lead to which accusation?
Delegation
Breach of confidentiality
Assault
Respondeat superior
Assault
Assault is a threat or an attempt to make bodily contact with another person without that person's consent. Breach of confidentiality is revealing health care information to those not involved with the care of the patient. Delegation involves giving someone else authority to act for another. Respondeat superior attributes the acts of the employees to their employer.
A recent graduate of a nursing program has accepted a position in a long term care unit. The nurse can use which strategy to reduce the risk of malpractice suits?
Carry malpractice insurance
Request supervision for all care
Not sign his or her name in patient records
Maintain good relationships with patients and families
Maintain good relationships with patients and families
Maintaining good relationships with patients and families does reduce the risk of malpractice suits. Carrying malpractice insurance does not reduce the risk of a malpractice suit. Requesting supervision for all care provided is not feasible in many situations and does not reduce the risk of malpractice suits. Not signing patient records can actually increase the risk of lawsuits, as failure to document is considered a category of negligence that results in malpractice lawsuits.
A nurse manager is conducting an employee evaluation for a new employee. Which employee behavior best indicates that the nurse is providing patient-centered care?
The nurse shares his or her own personal problems in order to obtain the patient's trust and to show empathy with the family.
The nurse avoids raising the patient's anxiety by chatting about pleasant topics before unpleasant procedures.
The nurse clarifies patients' reasons for refusing medications without becoming defensive.
The nurse avoids upsetting patients by not bringing up health care issues that might upset the patient.
The nurse clarifies patients' reasons for refusing medications without becoming defensive.
Providing patient-centered care involves clarifying patients' reasons for refusing medications. Refraining from discussing own concerns demonstrates a patient-centered approach. The nurse displays patient-centered care by attempting to talk the patient through anxiety-laden procedures. Avoiding discussing health issues does not display a patient- centered approach.
A nurse informs the patient's health care provider that the patient is refusing potentially life saving surgery. In this situation, which ethical principle is the nurse using?
Beneficence
Nonmaleficence
Autonomy
Justice
Autonomy
Using the principle of autonomy allows individuals to have the right to determine their own actions and make their own choices. Calling the health care provider to report the patient's refusal of surgery demonstrates the nurse's use of autonomy to guide practice. Beneficence is frequently described as "the doing of good." Nonmaleficence is the duty to do no harm. A description of justice includes patients with the same diagnosis and health care needs receiving the same care.
On a medical unit, several patients are being treated for Hepatitis B infection. One of the patients contracted Hepatitis B through using infected needles associated with heroin use. Another of the patients contracted Hepatitis B through a blood transfusion following a car accident. Several of the employees on the unit treat the patient who used heroin rudely and delay their attention to the patient's requests. The nurse intervenes and reminds the staff to use which ethical principle?
Justice
Nonmaleficence
Beneficence
Autonomy
Justice
Justice describes providing patients with the same diagnosis and health care needs the same care. By delaying attention to the patient's requests and treating the patient rudely, the staff is not using the principle of justice. Nonmaleficence is the duty to do no harm. Beneficence is frequently described as "the doing of good." Autonomy means that individuals have the right to determine their own actions and the freedom to make their own decisions.
A nurse is providing patient teaching for a patient undergoing chemotherapy. The nurse is explaining that the chemotherapy will cause some unpleasant side effects, such as nausea and hair loss. In this situation, the nurse is using which ethical principle?
Beneficence
Nonmaleficence
Autonomy
Justice
Nonmaleficence
Nonmaleficence involves the duty to do no harm. Although the patient will experience nausea and hair loss (harm), the treatment will eventually produce good for the patient. Beneficence is frequently defined as the "doing of good." Autonomy means that individuals have the right to determine their own actions and the freedom to make their own decisions. Justice means that the same care is provided to patients with similar diseases and health care needs.
A nurse is on duty in the emergency room when the nurse is notified that a school bus has been struck by a train. Immediately the nurse reports to the triage area and begins the task of determining the severity of injuries, so that the most critical patients receive care first. Which ethical theory is the nurse putting into action?
Utilitarianism
Act deontology
Rule deontology
Virtue ethics
Utilitarianism
Utilitarian ethics states that "what makes an action right or wrong is its utility, with useful actions bringing about the greatest good for the greatest number of people." By triaging the patients according to the severity of the injury, the nurse will be able to save the lives of more patients, thus doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Act deontologists determine the right thing to do by gathering all the facts and then making a decision. Rule deontologists emphasize that principles guide our actions. Virtue ethics are tendencies to act, feel, and judge that develop through appropriate training but come from natural tendencies.
A nurse is working in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) where a premature baby (26 weeks gestation) is facing respiratory disorders, numerous infections, and a brain hemorrhage. The parents want every measure to be taken to keep their baby alive, but several members of the health care team are advocating removal of life support. The nurse believes there are several ethical issues involved in this case. What step should the nurse take first when facing an ethical dilemma?
Gather as much information as possible about the situation
Identify the options available in this situation
Act in a fair and equitable manner for all involved
Evaluate the actions taken using ethical principles
Gather as much information as possible about the situation
The nurse should clarify the ethical dilemma by gathering as much information as possible about the situation. This compares with the assessment phase of the nursing process and is the first step in the ethical decision making model. Most ethical dilemmas have multiple options, which should all be considered, but gathering additional data must be the first step. Making a decision and acting in a fair and equitable manner must take place, but gathering additional data is the first step. Evaluating the actions taken is the last step of the ethical decision making model.
A nurse reports a medication error and monitors the patient, who suffers no ill effects. Which element is lacking to prove nursing malpractice?
Duty of care
Breach of duty
Injury
Standard of care
Injury
Since there is no injury, then malpractice cannot be proven. Breach of duty, duty of care, and standard of care are not relevant elements in this case.
The patient has a central venous line. The registered nurse (RN) delegates changing the sterile dressing over the line to a nursing assistant. The nursing assistant does not understand sterile technique and contaminates the dressing. An infection develops in the patient. The nurse manager discusses the action of the RN. Which statement is correct regarding the nurse's action?
The nursing assistant is guilty of malpractice.
The nurse is responsible for the acts delegated.
The hospital cannot be held responsible for the act of its employees.
No harm came to the patient, so a malpractice suit cannot be claimed.
The nurse is responsible for the acts delegated.
The registered nurse is responsible for delegating appropriately. It is not appropriate to delegate a skill requiring sterile technique and assessment of a central line site to a nursing assistant. It is not within the nursing assistant's scope of practice to perform central line dressing changes. The hospital is responsible for the acts of its employees under the concept of respondeat superior. Harm was caused by this act, since the patient did develop an infection, so a malpractice suit can be claimed.
The registered nurse, employed by the risk management department of a hospital is giving an inservice class on social media to nursing employees. Which one of these statements should be included in this class?
Posts are private and accessible only to the intended recipient.
Once content has been deleted, it is no longer accessible.
No harm is done if patient information is disclosed only to the intended recipient.
The nurse should not refer to a patient, even by nickname or room number.
The nurse should not refer to a patient, even by nickname or room number.
The nurse should never refer to a patient on social media, even by nickname or room number. Social media posts are not considered private and are not always accessible only to the intended recipient. Even deleted content is accessible at times on social media. Disclosing any patient information is a harmful act, even if it is disclosed only to the intended recipient.
The registered nurse (RN), who is supervising a group of nurses at a health clinic, overhears a nurse telling a patient, "If you do not stop shouting, I am going to give you an injection." The RN immediately intervenes and tells the nurse this action can lead to which accusation?
Delegation
Breach of confidentiality
Assault
Respondeat superior
Assault
Assault is a threat or an attempt to make bodily contact with another person without that person's consent. Breach of confidentiality is revealing health care information to those not involved with the care of the patient. Delegation involves giving someone else authority to act for another. Respondeat superior attributes the acts of the employees to their employer.
A recent graduate of a nursing program has accepted a position in a long term care unit. The nurse can use which strategy to reduce the risk of malpractice suits?
Carry malpractice insurance
Request supervision for all care
Not sign his or her name in patient records
Maintain good relationships with patients and families
Maintain good relationships with patients and families
Maintaining good relationships with patients and families does reduce the risk of malpractice suits. Carrying malpractice insurance does not reduce the risk of a malpractice suit. Requesting supervision for all care provided is not feasible in many situations and does not reduce the risk of malpractice suits. Not signing patient records can actually increase the risk of lawsuits, as failure to document is considered a category of negligence that results in malpractice lawsuits.
A nurse manager is conducting an employee evaluation for a new employee. Which employee behavior best indicates that the nurse is providing patient-centered care?
The nurse shares his or her own personal problems in order to obtain the patient's trust and to show empathy with the family.
The nurse avoids raising the patient's anxiety by chatting about pleasant topics before unpleasant procedures.
The nurse clarifies patients' reasons for refusing medications without becoming defensive.
The nurse avoids upsetting patients by not bringing up health care issues that might upset the patient.
The nurse clarifies patients' reasons for refusing medications without becoming defensive.
Providing patient-centered care involves clarifying patients' reasons for refusing medications. Refraining from discussing own concerns demonstrates a patient-centered approach. The nurse displays patient-centered care by attempting to talk the patient through anxiety-laden procedures. Avoiding discussing health issues does not display a patient- centered approach. [Show Less]