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NUR 3816: NUR3816 Legal and Ethical Nursing Practice –Exam Questions and Correct Answers, Exams of Nursing

NUR 3816: NUR3816 Legal and Ethical Nursing Practice –Exam Questions and Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2025

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2024/2025

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NUR 3816: NUR3816 Legal and Ethical
Nursing Practice Exam Questions and
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025
1. Which of the following best describes the principle of autonomy in nursing
ethics?
a. Doing no harm
b. Respecting a patient's right to make decisions
c. Doing good for the patient
d. Treating all patients equally
Autonomy refers to respecting a patient's right to self-determination and informed
decision-making.
2. Which law ensures patient privacy and confidentiality?
a. EMTALA
b. HIPAA
c. Affordable Care Act
d. Nurse Practice Act
HIPAA protects the privacy of patient health information.
3. A nurse administers the wrong medication. What ethical principle is most
violated?
a. Fidelity
b. Nonmaleficence
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NUR 3816: NUR 3816 Legal and Ethical

Nursing Practice – Exam Questions and

Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus

Rationales 2025

  1. Which of the following best describes the principle of autonomy in nursing ethics? a. Doing no harm b. Respecting a patient's right to make decisions c. Doing good for the patient d. Treating all patients equally Autonomy refers to respecting a patient's right to self-determination and informed decision-making.
  2. Which law ensures patient privacy and confidentiality? a. EMTALA b. HIPAA c. Affordable Care Act d. Nurse Practice Act HIPAA protects the privacy of patient health information.
  3. A nurse administers the wrong medication. What ethical principle is most violated? a. Fidelity b. Nonmaleficence

c. Autonomy d. Justice Nonmaleficence means to do no harm, which is breached when an error causes harm.

  1. Which document outlines the nurse’s responsibilities and expectations for ethical behavior? a. ANA Scope and Standards b. ANA Code of Ethics c. State Nurse Practice Act d. Patient Bill of Rights The ANA Code of Ethics serves as a guide for ethical nursing practice.
  2. What is the primary purpose of informed consent? a. To protect the hospital from lawsuits b. To allow the nurse to explain procedures c. To allow patients to make knowledgeable decisions d. To fulfill documentation requirements Informed consent ensures the patient understands the procedure and agrees voluntarily.
  3. A nurse observes another nurse stealing medication. What is the appropriate action? a. Report to the media b. Report to the supervisor or nurse manager c. Ignore the incident d. Inform the patient Reporting through proper channels ensures legal and ethical accountability.
  1. A nurse promises to return with pain medication but forgets. Which principle is violated? a. Fidelity b. Justice c. Autonomy d. Beneficence Fidelity involves keeping promises and commitments.
  2. A patient wants to leave AMA. What must the nurse do first? a. Lock the room b. Inform the patient of risks and document c. Call the police d. Restrain the patient The nurse must provide information and document the patient’s decision.
  3. What is the most serious legal charge a nurse can face for fatal negligence? a. Torts b. Civil suit c. Criminal negligence d. Breach of contract Criminal negligence involves reckless disregard leading to harm or death.
  4. What is the role of the ethics committee in a hospital? a. Provide legal advice b. Terminate staff c. Offer guidance on complex ethical issues d. Enforce laws Ethics committees assist with difficult ethical decisions in patient care.
  1. Which of the following is an example of battery? a. Threatening to inject a patient b. Giving an injection without consent c. Telling a patient you dislike them d. Refusing to provide care Battery is any unauthorized physical contact.
  2. A nurse documents false information. What is this an example of? a. Assault b. Malpractice c. Fraud d. Invasion of privacy Fraud is the intentional falsification of documentation.
  3. What should the nurse do when facing a moral dilemma? a. Make a quick decision b. Use the nursing process to evaluate options c. Ignore it d. Follow the doctor’s orders blindly Moral dilemmas require critical thinking and ethical analysis.
  4. Which of the following is not necessary for malpractice? a. Duty b. Breach c. Causation d. Criminal intent Malpractice is a civil, not criminal, issue.
  1. Which element is essential in proving negligence? a. Intent b. Fraud c. Duty owed to the patient d. Criminal action Duty is the first requirement in negligence claims.
  2. A nurse reports another for unsafe practice. This is known as: a. Malpractice b. Whistleblowing c. Insubordination d. Beneficence Whistleblowing protects public safety by reporting unethical or illegal conduct.
  3. Which of the following is an example of informed consent? a. Patient signs after explanation of risks and benefits b. Family member signs without patient knowledge c. Consent given under sedation d. Patient nods without verbal agreement Informed consent requires understanding, capacity, and voluntariness.
  4. Failure to follow institutional protocols may result in: a. Autonomy violation b. Negligence c. Assault d. Justice Negligence includes failure to act according to standards.
  1. When may a nurse breach patient confidentiality? a. To inform family b. When unsure of orders c. When required by law d. To explain to peers Confidentiality can be breached only under specific legal exceptions.
  2. What is the key difference between ethical and legal issues? a. Ethics apply to institutions b. Law is optional c. Legal issues are enforceable by courts d. Ethics always override the law Legal issues have codified consequences; ethics guide moral behavior.
  3. What is the purpose of the Nurse Practice Act? a. Outline hospital procedures b. Create policies c. Define nursing scope and protect the public d. License physicians The NPA regulates practice and protects public safety.
  4. What is a sentinel event? a. A medication error b. An unexpected event causing death or harm c. A HIPAA breach d. A nurse suspension Sentinel events are serious, unexpected outcomes requiring investigation.
  1. A nurse commits an error but does not report it. This violates: a. Veracity b. Fidelity c. Accountability d. Justice Accountability means taking responsibility for one’s actions.
  2. Which type of law governs torts like negligence? a. Criminal b. Civil c. Statutory d. Federal Torts such as negligence fall under civil law.
  3. If a nurse is accused of malpractice, who is liable? a. The patient b. The hospital CEO c. The nurse and possibly the institution d. The physician Both the nurse and employer may share liability depending on the case.
  4. A nurse shares patient information on social media. This is a breach of: a. Beneficence b. Fidelity c. Confidentiality d. Veracity Social media disclosures violate patient confidentiality.
  1. Which of the following is an ethical theory focused on consequences? a. Deontology b. Utilitarianism c. Justice d. Veracity Utilitarianism focuses on outcomes that produce the greatest good.
  2. Which of the following is an ethical principle related to loyalty? a. Veracity b. Nonmaleficence c. Fidelity d. Autonomy Fidelity involves loyalty, faithfulness, and honoring commitments.
  3. A minor refuses treatment, but the parent consents. What is the ethical issue? a. Veracity b. Autonomy of the minor vs. parent rights c. Malpractice d. Beneficence Conflicts between minor autonomy and parental rights require careful consideration.
  4. When documenting, the nurse should: a. Use white-out to fix errors b. Use a single line through errors with initials c. Remove incorrect pages d. Rewrite the chart Proper error correction maintains legal integrity.
  1. A nurse forgets to document care. This may lead to: a. Patient satisfaction b. Legal vulnerability and poor care continuity c. Better time management d. No consequences Omission in documentation can imply negligence.
  2. The nursing standard of care is based on: a. Doctor’s preferences b. What a reasonably prudent nurse would do c. Hospital policy d. Cost Standards reflect what competent nurses would do in similar situations.
  3. What is the nurse’s duty in a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order? a. Ignore the order b. Resuscitate if family insists c. Honor the order as legally binding d. Verify with another nurse DNR orders must be followed as per legal and ethical directives.
  4. When can a nurse refuse an assignment? a. If too tired b. If it is unsafe or outside scope of practice c. If the patient is rude d. If the unit is short-staffed Nurses may decline assignments that compromise safety or legality.
  1. What should a nurse do if a patient confides about a past illegal activity, like drug use? a. Call the police b. Maintain confidentiality unless legally required to report c. Share it with the physician d. Warn the patient about consequences Confidentiality must be upheld unless there is a legal duty to report (e.g., ongoing danger, abuse).
  2. Which ethical principle supports the nurse’s action in advocating for pain management for a non-verbal patient? a. Veracity b. Beneficence c. Autonomy d. Justice Beneficence involves doing good, including relieving suffering.
  3. What is the ethical issue if a nurse gives preferential care to patients with private insurance? a. Fidelity b. Nonmaleficence c. Justice d. Veracity Justice requires fair and equal treatment for all patients.
  4. A nurse shares patient info with a friend, even without naming the patient. What is this? a. Acceptable if anonymous b. Beneficence

Personal relationships create ethical conflicts that should be addressed immediately.

  1. What is moral resilience? a. Following all rules b. Refusing to engage in ethics c. The ability to recover from moral distress and act ethically d. Avoiding difficult patients Moral resilience is the ability to maintain integrity under ethical pressure.
  2. What should a nurse do if they disagree with a hospital policy that impacts patient care? a. Refuse to follow the policy b. Follow the proper chain of command to address the concern c. Quit d. Call the media Use internal systems to ethically address policy concerns.
  3. In legal terms, what does "standard of care" mean? a. Hospital rules b. Legal codes c. What a competent nurse would do in similar circumstances d. Best possible care Standard of care is the benchmark for nursing practice and legal cases.
  4. A nurse discloses HIV status without permission. This is considered: a. Ethical under all circumstances b. A breach of confidentiality c. Beneficence

d. Autonomy Patient health information is protected unless disclosure is legally mandated.

  1. What does the term "moral agency" refer to? a. Hospital ethics board b. Religious practices c. The nurse’s capacity to make ethical decisions and act accordingly d. A government agency Moral agency is a nurse’s ability to make moral decisions in practice.
  2. What is the role of the institutional review board (IRB)? a. To protect human subjects in research b. To approve staffing decisions c. To monitor staff compliance d. To oversee billing practices IRBs ensure ethical standards in human research are met.
  3. What is an example of ethical paternalism? a. Letting the patient choose care b. Ignoring patient’s needs c. Making decisions for a patient "for their own good" d. Explaining options clearly Paternalism is overriding autonomy to "protect" the patient.
  4. A nurse volunteers to stay late to help a colleague. Which ethical principle is demonstrated? a. Justice b. Autonomy

c. Privacy and discrimination d. Scheduling Genetic information must be handled carefully to prevent discrimination and maintain confidentiality.

  1. What ethical principle supports truth-telling even when the truth is difficult? a. Fidelity b. Veracity c. Beneficence d. Nonmaleficence Veracity is the obligation to tell the truth.
  2. What is the ethical concern with "slow codes"? a. Legal documentation b. They are deceptive and disrespectful to patients/families c. They require extra staff d. They cost too much Slow codes violate honesty and informed consent.
  3. When a nurse refuses to follow a doctor's order that seems unsafe, this shows: a. Insubordination b. Advocacy and accountability c. Veracity d. Disrespect Nurses are ethically required to advocate for safe care.
  4. Which term refers to the ability of a patient to understand and make informed decisions?

a. Consent b. Competency c. Liberty d. Advocacy Competency is the mental capacity to make decisions.

  1. What action demonstrates ethical behavior in delegation? a. Assigning tasks randomly b. Avoiding supervision c. Ensuring the delegatee is competent and providing oversight d. Only delegating non-licensed work Proper delegation involves assessing ability and following up.
  2. A nurse faces a conflict between institutional policy and personal ethics. What should they do first? a. Resign b. Follow policy c. Consult ethics resources or committee d. Do nothing Ethics committees help resolve value-based conflicts.
  3. Which document provides guidance for nurses facing ethical dilemmas? a. Medical Board Guidelines b. State Constitution c. ANA Code of Ethics d. U.S. Constitution The ANA Code of Ethics outlines core values and expected behavior.