Ethical and Legal Issues in Nursing
Exam Answer Key
Course Introduction
This course explores the ethical and legal principles that guide nursing practice, emphasizing the professional responsibilities and challenges nurses face in diverse healthcare environments. Students will examine key ethical theories, codes of conduct, and legal frameworks that influence clinical decision-making, patient rights, informed consent, confidentiality, and advocacy. Through case studies and real-world scenarios, learners will sharpen their ability to recognize and address ethical dilemmas, understand regulatory requirements, and apply laws affecting healthcare delivery, with the ultimate goal of fostering safe, compassionate, and legally compliant nursing care.
Recommended Textbook
Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing 2nd Canadian Edition by Margaret A. Burkhardt
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19 Chapters
286 Verified Questions
286 Flashcards
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Chapter 1: Social, Philosophical, and Other Historical Forces
Influencing the Development of Nursing
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16 Verified Questions
16 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) What is the term that relates to knowledge gained through observation and experience?
A) empirical
B) Cartesian philosophy
C) values
D) moral thought
Answer: A
Q2) Why is the concept of social need important to the ethical foundations of the nursing professional?
A) Nurses must determine the health needs of society.
B) Nursing finds its origin, purpose, and meaning within the context of perceived social need.
C) Theories of sociology are utilized by nursing scholars, many of whom view them as conceptual frameworks for nursing practice.
D) Social need determines the boundaries of the ethical principles of distributive justice, beneficence, and non-maleficence.
Answer: B
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Chapter 2: Ethical Theory
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16 Verified Questions
16 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) A nurse recognizes and shares with a client the understanding of the amount of pain that the client is experiencing. What focal virtue is this situation based on?
A) discernment
B) compassion
C) trustworthiness
D) integrity
Answer: B
Q2) What theory is based on the view that the rightness or wrongness of an act depends upon the nature of the act, rather than its consequences?
A) deontology
B) formalism
C) Kantianism
D) act utilitarianism
Answer: A
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Chapter 3: Ethical Principles
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15 Verified Questions
15 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following ethical principles relates to noncompliance with care by a fully aware patient?
A) beneficence
B) autonomy
C) fidelity
D) non-maleficence
Answer: B
Q2) A nurse performs a pain assessment on a client and requests an order for an analgesic as an intervention. Which of the following ethical principles is being given a practical application in this situation?
A) beneficence
B) autonomy
C) veracity
D) non-maleficence
Answer: A
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Chapter 4: Values Clarification
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15 Verified Questions
15 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) What is the correct term for the attribute of maintaining and articulating consistent values and beliefs over time?
A) personal values
B) authenticity
C) moral thought
D) implicit values
Q2) What should nurses be aware of when working with patients regarding health care decisions?
A) personal and patient values
B) moral development and perceptions
C) conflicting values and priorities
D) institutional values and influence
Q3) What is an institution's mission statement a reflection of?
A) overt values
B) formal values
C) covert values
D) integral values
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Page 6
Chapter 5: Values Development
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14 Verified Questions
14 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) What is the term for the moral imperative being grounded in relationship with and responsibility for one another?
A) ethic of justice
B) ethic of care
C) faith development
D) cognitive development
Q2) Which of the following describes the development of intellectual capacities through the time of childhood, from birth to around age 15 years?
A) Kohlberg's theory of moral development
B) Piaget's stages of cognitive development
C) Lao Tsu's theory of development
D) Fowler's stages of faith development
Q3) What is another term that can be used interchangeably with "human values development"?
A) moral development
B) faith development
C) ethical values
D) formal operations development
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Chapter 6: Ethical Decision Making
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15 Verified Questions
15 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Michael, an ICU nurse, worked with the team as they followed the physician's order to discontinue life support on a patient diagnosed with persistent vegetative state. Michael believes that life is sacred and that he has a duty to do whatever it takes to preserve life. Nevertheless, he remained silent as the decision was made, and he assisted his coworkers when they unplugged the respirator. In this situation, what is Michael likely to experience?
A) moral uncertainty
B) moral distress
C) moral outrage
D) moral perplexity
Q2) Which of the following best defines moral residue?
A) when you see that there is a moral problem but are not sure of the correct action
B) being asked to compromise your values time and time again
C) self-knowledge combined with decision-making skill
D) the ability to make cogent moral decisions
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8
Chapter 7: Legal Issues
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26 Verified Questions
26 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) In Canada, what federal privacy law imposes obligations on how federal government departments collect, manage, use, and share personal information?
A) the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act
B) the Health Information Act
C) the Privacy Act
D) the Health Information Protection Act
Q2) A pregnant woman admits herself to the hospital to give birth under the care of her obstetrician and gives permission for the obstetrician to examine her. What is this an example of?
A) coercive consent
B) explicit consent
C) implied consent
D) informed consent
Q3) What system of binding rules governs the behaviour of people in their relationships with others and with the government?
A) ethics
B) laws
C) morals
D) intentional tort
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Page 9
Chapter 8: Professional Issues
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14 Verified Questions
14 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) According to the Canadian Nurses Association, which of the following is one of the four principles that must be included in any practice statement?
A) to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration
B) to conduct ongoing competency reviews
C) to review ethical implications for institutions that allow nurses to practice
D) to acknowledge that nursing is a diversified group of professionals
Q2) What term best describes knowledge necessary to provide a service that is either essential or desired by society?
A) professional education
B) professional recognition
C) professional autonomy
D) professional responsibility
Q3) Which of the following consist of guides for nursing care that are developed by non-nurses, the government, or institutions?
A) external standards of nursing practice
B) internal standards of nursing practice
C) codes of nursing ethics
D) scope of practice statutes
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Chapter 9: Professional Relationship Issues
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13 Verified Questions
13 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) A staff nurse suspects that her friend, another nurse on her unit, is impaired by illicit drugs. The nurse does not want to get her friend in trouble, but she fears that patients may be harmed. What is this conflict of loyalties an example of?
A) a moral dilemma
B) a practical dilemma
C) moral uncertainty
D) moral distress
Q2) When delegating patient care activities, what does the nurse have a responsibility to do?
A) to assess competency when assigning nursing care activities to other health care workers
B) to divide the activities fairly between other health care workers
C) to teach subordinate health care workers proper techniques and procedures
D) to observe other health care workers as they perform delegated activities
Q3) Which of the following is characteristic of workplace incivility?
A) acknowledgement of diverse opinions
B) recognizing adversity
C) maintaining moral integrity
D) demeaning treatment of patients
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Page 11
Chapter 10: Practice Issues Related to End-Of-Life Care
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14 Verified Questions
14 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) According to the textbook, what does the term "medical futility" mean?
A) a physician alone defining overall treatment and the value of medically indicated care
B) causing painless death of the person in order to end suffering
C) treatment beneficial to both physical and overall well-being
D) treatment valued by the patient but not medically indicated
Q2) Since a prime nursing focus is to relieve suffering, what must nurses understand about health care technologies?
A) They are good because they always support a patient's health and well-being.
B) They may cause conflict between doing good and avoiding harm to patients.
C) They are necessary interventions even if they cause patients to suffer.
D) They may cause nurses to do harmful things to patients against their wishes.
Q3) Which of the following is synonymous with palliative care?
A) support of patients who face illness that is not responsive to curative treatment
B) aggressive treatment of chronic health problems to support symptom relief
C) short-term treatment for an episode of illness in an urgent manner
D) delivery of co-ordinated and continuous services for an acute disease or illness
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Chapter 11: Practice Issues Related to Patient
Self-Determination
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15 Verified Questions
15 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following elements must be present when evaluating a patient's decision-making capacity?
A) the ability to determine a positive outcome
B) the ability to communicate understanding
C) the ability to behave in an ethical manner
D) the ability to understand medical terminology
Q2) When a nurse discusses a patient's condition and treatment with family members who were not authorized to have medical information disclosed to them, what principle is the nurse breaching?
A) autonomy
B) non-maleficence
C) competence
D) confidentiality
Q3) A patient asks the surgeon what will be gained by having the procedure and the surgeon does not respond. Which patient right is being violated?
A) autonomy
B) justice
C) advance directives
D) informed consent
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Chapter 12: Scholarship Issues
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15 Verified Questions
15 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which document provides guidelines on research involving Aboriginal persons, and the use of vulnerable populations in general?
A) Tri Council Policy Statement
B) CNA Code of Ethics
C) Nuremberg Code
D) Declaration of Helsinki
Q2) Which of the following characteristics may a nurse experience when participating in conducting research?
A) academic dishonesty
B) personal bias
C) misrepresentation
D) role conflict
Q3) Which of the following issues affect academic integrity?
A) plagiarism and cheating
B) cheating and editing
C) editing and fidelity
D) forgery and consulting
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Chapter 13: The Future of Canadian Health Care:
Challenges and Priorities
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10 Verified Questions
10 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following is an example of the federal responsibility for health care?
A) evaluating physician and hospital care
B) delivering direct health care services to native Canadians
C) delivering and managing insured health services
D) managing some public health and prescription care
Q2) What report emphasized the need for primary health care reform in Canada?
A) Drummond Report
B) Declaration of Alma-Ata
C) Romanow Report
D) Quinquennial Report
Q3) What health care changes evolved in the latter part of nineteenth century in Canada ?
A) public health
B) interprofessional care
C) immigrant health
D) curative programs
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Page 15
Chapter 14: Health Policy Issues
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14 Verified Questions
14 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following describes the most effective type of letter sent to a policy maker in a lobbying campaign?
A) a long emotional plea that is very thorough and explanatory and includes many examples
B) a form letter with a handwritten salutation and signature
C) a concise handwritten letter written in your own words, using your own thoughts and logic
D) a letter that includes a list of all topics of interest to nurses in your area
Q2) What is the term for plans of action that guide the actions of governments, institutions, corporations, and communities?
A) common law
B) policies
C) legislation
D) torts
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16
Chapter 15: Economic Issues
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15 Verified Questions
15 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) What is one of the ethical problems associated with the traditional fee-for-service system that medicine is predominantly driven by?
A) overutilization
B) privatization
C) privileges
D) opportunities
Q2) Which ethical theories of justice are based on the concept that it is good to maximize the greatest good for the greatest number of people?
A) libertarian theories
B) utilitarian theories
C) deontological theories
D) communitarian theories
Q3) According to the Romanow Commission Report, what is one of the challenges to the health care system?
A) guaranteed reasonable access to care
B) resources not being used optimally
C) decisions being made by physicians
D) considerations of how rationing should occur
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17
Chapter 16: Social Issues
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14 Verified Questions
14 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which issue has the greatest effect on the health and health care options of the increasing elder population?
A) prescription costs
B) economic hardship
C) inadequate respect
D) discrimination
Q2) Which of the following can get in the way when working with vulnerable groups?
A) self-determination
B) language that colours speech and actions
C) exploring personal beliefs
D) inadequate research
Q3) According to Raphael, what is one reason that Canadians should be concerned with economic inequality and poverty?
A) It may strain the health care system and social safety net of the country.
B) It requires a close partnership with a wide range of stakeholders.
C) It creates hurdles in health care policy.
D) It impacts the ability to maintain good health.
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Chapter 17: Issues of Gender and Culture
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17 Verified Questions
17 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) When are transcultural issues and conflicts more likely to arise?
A) when nurses are aware of their own biases and judgments of others
B) when nurses judge other people's behaviour by their own cultural values
C) when nurses understand their own cultural beliefs and values
D) when nurses avoid judging others based on preconceived ideas
Q2) Which of the following governs employment equity and equal pay for equal work as a right protected in provinces across Canada?
A) Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
B) Equal Wages Guidelines
C) Pay Gap Act
D) Fair-Labour Legislation
Q3) What is one factor that systematic discrimination against lesbians and gay men in nursing results from in health care institutions?
A) avoidance
B) societal stereotyping
C) punitive supervisors
D) controversy
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Chapter 18: Rural and Aboriginal Nursing in Canada
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12 Verified Questions
12 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following does the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) identify as one of the eight attributes of nursing professional practice?
A) collegiality
B) consistency
C) accessibility
D) predictability
Q2) What type of nursing education may help nurses in rural and remote areas to access continuing and graduate education?
A) university continuing education
B) college continuing education
C) modular courses
D) co-operative programs
Q3) Which of the following is a factor that impacts the health and well-being of Aboriginal persons?
A) social inclusion
B) civil war
C) population growth
D) physical environment
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Chapter 19: Empowerment for Nurses
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16 Verified Questions
16 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) A patient tells you that the more he exercises and the healthier he eats, the healthier he gets. What is he demonstrating?
A) internal locus of control
B) external locus of control
C) negative locus of control
D) positive locus of control
Q2) What skills does nursing knowledge foster in order to enable empowerment?
A) decision making based on intuition
B) values development and their impact on choices
C) application of scientific principles and evidence-based practice
D) imposing personal values on others
Q3) How is nursing empowerment derived from the perspective of power with or power to?
A) It is given to or delegated to the nurse.
B) It is a directive process regarding change.
C) It is more focused on outcome than process.
D) It is based on mutual love and respect.
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