Ethical Theories For Application To Nursing Practice Quiz

1. Ethical Theory offers a formal process for applying moral philosophy.

True

False

Ethical Theory provides a structured framework for applying moral philosophy. It offers a systematic approach to understanding and evaluating ethical principles and decision-making. By following ethical theories, individuals can analyze and assess moral dilemmas and make informed choices based on logical reasoning and principles. This formal process helps ensure consistency and fairness in ethical decision-making across various situations and contexts.

Explanation

Ethical Theory provides a structured framework for applying moral philosophy. It offers a systematic approach to understanding and evaluating ethical principles and decision-making. By following ethical theories, individuals can analyze and assess moral dilemmas and make informed choices based on logical reasoning and principles. This formal process helps ensure consistency and fairness in ethical decision-making across various situations and contexts.

2. Nurses engaging in compassionate care through their speech and body language are examples of virtue ethics.

True

False

This statement aligns with virtue ethics because it emphasizes the importance of nurses displaying compassion in their actions and communication. Virtue ethics focuses on the moral character and virtues of individuals, and in this case, compassionate care is seen as a virtuous behavior. Nurses who demonstrate compassion through their speech and body language are embodying the values and principles of virtue ethics.

Explanation

This statement aligns with virtue ethics because it emphasizes the importance of nurses displaying compassion in their actions and communication. Virtue ethics focuses on the moral character and virtues of individuals, and in this case, compassionate care is seen as a virtuous behavior. Nurses who demonstrate compassion through their speech and body language are embodying the values and principles of virtue ethics.

3. To make decisions about ethical situations, nurses need to be aware of their own personal values.

True

False

Nurses are often faced with ethical dilemmas in their profession, where they have to make decisions that are morally right. Being aware of their own personal values is crucial in making these decisions. Personal values shape a nurse's beliefs and principles, which in turn guide their actions and choices. By understanding their own values, nurses can navigate ethical situations with integrity and ensure that their decisions align with their moral compass. Therefore, it is true that nurses need to be aware of their own personal values to make decisions about ethical situations.

Explanation

Nurses are often faced with ethical dilemmas in their profession, where they have to make decisions that are morally right. Being aware of their own personal values is crucial in making these decisions. Personal values shape a nurse's beliefs and principles, which in turn guide their actions and choices. By understanding their own values, nurses can navigate ethical situations with integrity and ensure that their decisions align with their moral compass. Therefore, it is true that nurses need to be aware of their own personal values to make decisions about ethical situations.

4. According to the CNO, the Ethical Values that are important in providing nursing care are? (Choose all that apply)

Client well-being and client choice

Privacy, confidentiality, and respect for life

Maintaining commitments, truthfulness, and fairness.

Hospital's rules above clients

The correct answer is a combination of the options that reflect the ethical values important in providing nursing care. These values include prioritizing client well-being and client choice, respecting privacy, confidentiality, and life, as well as maintaining commitments, truthfulness, and fairness. The option "Hospital's rules above clients" contradicts these ethical values and is therefore not included in the correct answer.

Explanation

The correct answer is a combination of the options that reflect the ethical values important in providing nursing care. These values include prioritizing client well-being and client choice, respecting privacy, confidentiality, and life, as well as maintaining commitments, truthfulness, and fairness. The option "Hospital's rules above clients" contradicts these ethical values and is therefore not included in the correct answer.

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5. What is Moral Philosophy?

The examination of beliefs and assumptions

The nature of certain values

Includes discussion of good or bad

All of these

Moral philosophy is the study of beliefs, assumptions, and the nature of certain values. It involves examining and discussing concepts of good and bad. Therefore, the correct answer is "All of these" because moral philosophy encompasses all these aspects in its exploration and analysis of ethical principles and moral reasoning.

Explanation

Moral philosophy is the study of beliefs, assumptions, and the nature of certain values. It involves examining and discussing concepts of good and bad. Therefore, the correct answer is "All of these" because moral philosophy encompasses all these aspects in its exploration and analysis of ethical principles and moral reasoning.

6. What is virtue ethics?

The rightness or wrongness of an act

Individuals' actions are based on a certain degree of moral virtue.

Recognition that all are equal and can make autonomous decisions

None of these

Virtue ethics is an ethical theory that focuses on the moral character of individuals and their actions. It suggests that individuals' actions are based on a certain degree of moral virtue. This means that instead of solely focusing on the rightness or wrongness of an act, virtue ethics emphasizes the importance of developing virtuous traits and habits, such as honesty, kindness, and courage. According to this theory, a person who consistently displays virtuous behavior is considered morally good, regardless of the specific actions they take.

Explanation

Virtue ethics is an ethical theory that focuses on the moral character of individuals and their actions. It suggests that individuals' actions are based on a certain degree of moral virtue. This means that instead of solely focusing on the rightness or wrongness of an act, virtue ethics emphasizes the importance of developing virtuous traits and habits, such as honesty, kindness, and courage. According to this theory, a person who consistently displays virtuous behavior is considered morally good, regardless of the specific actions they take.

7. What is deontology?

The rightness or wrongness of an act depends upon the nature of the act rather than its consequences.

Recognition that all are equal and can make autonomous decisions

Nursing actions are motivated by self-interest and not duty.

Both A & B

Deontology is a moral theory that states the rightness or wrongness of an act is determined by the nature of the act itself, rather than its consequences. It emphasizes the importance of following certain moral rules and principles, regardless of the outcome. Additionally, deontology recognizes that all individuals are equal and have the ability to make autonomous decisions. Therefore, the correct answer is "Both A & B" as both options accurately describe the concept of deontology.

Explanation

Deontology is a moral theory that states the rightness or wrongness of an act is determined by the nature of the act itself, rather than its consequences. It emphasizes the importance of following certain moral rules and principles, regardless of the outcome. Additionally, deontology recognizes that all individuals are equal and have the ability to make autonomous decisions. Therefore, the correct answer is "Both A & B" as both options accurately describe the concept of deontology.

8. You are caring for a client Mr. M who has dialysis 3 times per week. He tells you today that he no longer wishes to have his dialysis treatment. As his nurse who provides his care during all his dialysis treatment, you know that if Mr. M does not have his dialysis treatment, he will not survive, and this goes against what you believe to be in his best interest. How can you continue to provide care for Mr. M while respecting his choice? (Choose all that apply)

Respecting Mr. .M's. wishes

Exploring his rationale for his decision

Seek assistance from the healthcare team

To continue providing care for Mr. M while respecting his choice, it is important to respect his wishes and autonomy. This means acknowledging and honoring his decision to no longer have dialysis treatment. Additionally, exploring his rationale for his decision can help to understand his perspective and potentially address any concerns or fears he may have. Seeking assistance from the healthcare team is also important as they can provide guidance, support, and help in developing a plan of care that aligns with Mr. M's wishes while ensuring his safety and well-being.

Explanation

To continue providing care for Mr. M while respecting his choice, it is important to respect his wishes and autonomy. This means acknowledging and honoring his decision to no longer have dialysis treatment. Additionally, exploring his rationale for his decision can help to understand his perspective and potentially address any concerns or fears he may have. Seeking assistance from the healthcare team is also important as they can provide guidance, support, and help in developing a plan of care that aligns with Mr. M's wishes while ensuring his safety and well-being.

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9. You are a nurse who has worked in a high-acuity department for many years. There have been many cutbacks recently, and nursing hours have been cut. The manager and clinical leader have made the decision to increase the patient load for nurses from 5:1 to 8:1. As a senior nurse in the department, a number of your new grad nursing colleagues have come to you and complained about the difficulty they are having proving safe care for 8 patients at one time and their fear that they will make mistakes. What can you do when faced with this ethical situation to maintain a commitment to your department and colleagues and to ensure the safety of the patients? (select all that apply)

Contribute to positive team functioning and provide support to each other

Explore solutions that will meet the needs of the clients, the nurses, and the department

Make the manager/clinical leader aware of concerns in the department.

Advocate for nursing input into policies relating to client care

In this ethical situation, as a senior nurse, it is important to maintain a commitment to the department and colleagues while ensuring the safety of the patients. By contributing to positive team functioning and providing support to each other, the senior nurse can foster a supportive environment where colleagues can share their concerns and experiences. Exploring solutions that meet the needs of the clients, nurses, and the department allows for a collaborative approach to finding a resolution. Making the manager/clinical leader aware of the concerns in the department is crucial in bringing attention to the potential risks and advocating for nursing input into policies relating to client care helps ensure that decisions are made with the expertise and experience of the nursing staff in mind.

Explanation

In this ethical situation, as a senior nurse, it is important to maintain a commitment to the department and colleagues while ensuring the safety of the patients. By contributing to positive team functioning and providing support to each other, the senior nurse can foster a supportive environment where colleagues can share their concerns and experiences. Exploring solutions that meet the needs of the clients, nurses, and the department allows for a collaborative approach to finding a resolution. Making the manager/clinical leader aware of the concerns in the department is crucial in bringing attention to the potential risks and advocating for nursing input into policies relating to client care helps ensure that decisions are made with the expertise and experience of the nursing staff in mind.

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10. What is Utilitarianism?

An action is judged good or bad in relation to the consequences.

Always looking forward and assessing potential outcomes

Overall good is maximized by following rules in all situations (i.e. being truthful)

All of these

Utilitarianism is a moral theory that focuses on the consequences of actions. According to this theory, an action is considered good or bad based on its outcomes. It emphasizes the importance of always considering the potential outcomes and maximizing overall good. Additionally, utilitarianism suggests that following certain rules, such as being truthful, can help in maximizing the overall good. Therefore, the correct answer is "All of these" as all the statements mentioned are true in the context of utilitarianism.

Explanation

Utilitarianism is a moral theory that focuses on the consequences of actions. According to this theory, an action is considered good or bad based on its outcomes. It emphasizes the importance of always considering the potential outcomes and maximizing overall good. Additionally, utilitarianism suggests that following certain rules, such as being truthful, can help in maximizing the overall good. Therefore, the correct answer is "All of these" as all the statements mentioned are true in the context of utilitarianism.

11. Nurses providing care using appropriate safety precautions during an outbreak such as SARS is an example of

Deontology

Virtue Ethics

Utilitarianism

None of these

Deontology is an ethical theory that focuses on the moral duty and obligations of individuals. In this scenario, nurses providing care using appropriate safety precautions during an outbreak such as SARS can be seen as an example of deontology because they are fulfilling their ethical duty to protect the health and well-being of their patients and themselves. They are following a set of rules and principles to ensure the safety of everyone involved, which aligns with the deontological perspective of prioritizing moral obligations and duties.

Explanation

Deontology is an ethical theory that focuses on the moral duty and obligations of individuals. In this scenario, nurses providing care using appropriate safety precautions during an outbreak such as SARS can be seen as an example of deontology because they are fulfilling their ethical duty to protect the health and well-being of their patients and themselves. They are following a set of rules and principles to ensure the safety of everyone involved, which aligns with the deontological perspective of prioritizing moral obligations and duties.

12. As a nurse in a busy ER department, you and a few of your co-workers have noticed a trend where clients presenting with mental concerns are not being assessed by the ER physicians but are being passed over to clients with other concerns such as chest pain or abdominal pain. The patients with mental health concerns are placed in a quiet room or locked room and are asked to wait for hours before care is provided. What can you do to address this ethical situation?

Understand that some groups in society are systematically disadvantaged, which leads to diminished health.

Collaborate with the other health care team members (MD, charge nurse, manager) and advocate for changes to unethical practices.

The client has to wait until ER physician asks him to wait.

In this scenario, the correct answer is to understand that some groups in society are systematically disadvantaged, which leads to diminished health, and to collaborate with the other health care team members and advocate for changes to unethical practices. This is the best course of action because it acknowledges the ethical issue at hand, recognizes the impact of systemic disadvantages on certain groups, and takes proactive steps to address the problem by working with colleagues and advocating for changes to ensure equitable care for all patients.

Explanation

In this scenario, the correct answer is to understand that some groups in society are systematically disadvantaged, which leads to diminished health, and to collaborate with the other health care team members and advocate for changes to unethical practices. This is the best course of action because it acknowledges the ethical issue at hand, recognizes the impact of systemic disadvantages on certain groups, and takes proactive steps to address the problem by working with colleagues and advocating for changes to ensure equitable care for all patients.

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