Chapter 2 Ethical Theoretical Perspectives

Chapter 2  Ethical Theoretical Perspectives

Complete Chapter Questions And Answers
 

Sample Questions

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. How may ethics best be described?
a.
The philosophical study of morality
b.
The study of right versus wrong
c.
The beliefs and norms of a society
d.
The application of ethical principles to moral issues

ANS: A
Correct A: Ethics, the philosophical study of morality, is the systematic exploration of what is morally right and wrong.

Incorrect B: Ethics is the systematic exploration of what is morally right and wrong.
Incorrect C: The beliefs and norms of a society are known as values.
Incorrect D: Applying ethical principles to moral issues helps provide frameworks for ethical decision making; this is not a description of ethics.

DIF: Cognitive level: Knowledge REF: p. 18

2. Which of the following is the focus of normative ethics?
a.
The analysis of morality without taking a moral position
b.
The question of what is right or wrong
c.
Explaining how moral attitudes and beliefs differ from person to person
d.
Distinguishing between what is normal and what is not

ANS: B
Correct B: Normative ethics focuses on the reasons or arguments that guide decisions about what is right and wrong. Basic principles and virtues are identified to guide morality and provide coherent, systematic, and justifiable answers to moral questions.

Incorrect A: Normative ethics seeks to guide a decision; it is not concerned with taking moral positions.
Incorrect C: A person’s differing moral attitudes and beliefs help to shape his or her personal values; this is not a focus of normative ethics.
Incorrect D: A person’s ideas of normal and abnormal would be considered values, but the ability to make this distinction is not in itself a form of ethics.

DIF: Cognitive level: Comprehension REF: p. 19

3. Which of the following fields of ethics applies ethical theories and principles to actual moral problems?
a.
Philosophical ethics
b.
Biomedical ethics
c.
Nursing ethics
d.
Applied ethics

ANS: D
Correct D: Applied ethics is the field of ethics where theories and principles are applied to actual moral problems to assist in guiding decision making.

Incorrect A: Ethics in general is a philosophical study.
Incorrect B: Biomedical ethics explores moral issues and ethical questions associated with health care.
Incorrect C: Nursing ethics focuses on moral questions within all avenues of the nursing practice.

DIF: Cognitive level: Knowledge REF: p. 19

4. Which of the following exists when mutually exclusive alternatives can both be supported by strong moral reasons?
a.
Moral distress
b.
An ethical dilemma
c.
A value conflict
d.
A moral conflict

ANS: B
Correct B: An ethical dilemma arises when the best course of action is unclear and there are strong moral reasons supporting each opposing position.

Incorrect A: Moral distress results when a person is faced with ethical issues or conflicting values and cannot deal effectively with them.
Incorrect C: A value conflict occurs when a nurse encounters another individual whose value system may be in conflict with the nurse’s own.
Incorrect D: A moral conflict is more accurately described as moral distress.

DIF: Cognitive level: Comprehension REF: p. 19