Chapter 6 Values, Ethics, and Advocacy

Chapter 6  Values, Ethics, and Advocacy

Complete Chapter Questions And Answers
 

Sample Questions

1.
A nurse in a physician’s office has noted on several occasions that one of the physicians frequently obtains controlled-drug prescription forms for prescription writing. The physician reports that his wife has chronic back pain and requires pain medication. One day the nurse enters the physician’s office and sees him take a pill out of a bottle. The doctor mentions that he suffers from migraines and that his wife’s pain medication alleviates the pain. What type of nurse-physician ethical situation is illustrated in this scenario?
A)
Unprofessional, incompetent, unethical, or illegal physician practice
B)
Disagreements about the proposed medical regimen
C)
Conflicts regarding the scope of the nurse’s role
D)
Claims of loyalty
Ans:
A

Feedback:

The physician is demonstrating unprofessional, incompetent, unethical, or illegal physician practice.

2.
The client was diagnosed with diabetes three years ago, but has failed to integrate regular blood glucose monitoring or dietary modifications into his lifestyle. He has been admitted to the hospital for treatment of acute renal failure secondary to diabetic nephropathy, an event that has prompted the client to reassess his values. Which of the following actions most clearly demonstrates that this client is engaging in the step of prizing within his valuing process?
A)
The client expresses pride that he now has the knowledge and skills to take control of his diabetes management.
B)
The client states that he will now begin to check his blood glucose before each meal and at bedtime.
C)
The client is now able to explain how his choices have contributed to his renal failure.
D)
The client expresses remorse at how his failure to take make lifestyle changes has adversely affected his health.
Ans:
A

Feedback:

Within the valuing process, expressions of pride and happiness are considered to be indications of prizing. Resolving to make changes is an aspect of choosing, while expressing insight about his role in his current diagnosis demonstrates that the client has the desire to re-examine his values.

3.
The children of a female client 78 years of age with a recent diagnosis of early-stage Alzheimer’s disease are attempting to convince their mother to move into an assisted living facility, a move to which the client is vehemently opposed. Both the client and her children have expressed to the nurse how they are entrenched in their position. Which of the following statements expresses a utilitarian approach to this dilemma?
A)
The decision should be made in light of consequences.
B)
The client’s autonomy and independence are the priority considerations.
C)
Benefits and burdens should be evenly distributed between the children and the client.
D)
The client has a right to self-determination.
Ans:
A

Feedback:

Utilitarianism is the theory of ethics that weighs rightness and wrongness according to consequences and outcomes for all those who are affected. Utilitarianism prioritizes these consequences and outcomes over principles such as autonomy and justice; principles that underlie the other statements addressing the patient’s right to self-determination; and fair distribution of benefits and burdens.

4.
A group of nurse researchers has proposed a study to examine the efficacy of a new wound care product. Which of the following aspects of the methodology demonstrates that the nurses are attempting to maintain the ethical principle of nonmaleficence?
A)
The nurses are taking every reasonable measure to ensure that no participants experience impaired wound healing as a result of the study intervention.
B)
The nurses have organized the study in such a way that the foreseeable risks and benefits are distributed as fairly as possible.
C)
The nurses have given multiple opportunities for potential participants to ask questions, and have been following the informed consent process systematically.
D)
The nurses have completed a literature review that suggests the new treatment may result in decreased wound healing time.
Ans:
A

Feedback:

The principle of nonmaleficence dictates that nurses avoid causing harm. In this study, this may appear in the form of taking measures to ensure that the intervention will not cause more harm than good. The principle of justice addresses the distribution of risks and benefits, and the informed consent process demonstrates that autonomy is being protected. Preliminary indications of the therapeutic value of the intervention show a respect for the principle of beneficence.

5.
A client with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer has been presented with her treatment options, but wishes to defer any decisions to her uncle, who acts in the role of a family patriarch within the client’s culture. By which of the following is the client’s right to self-determination best protected?
A)
Respecting the client’s desire to have the uncle make choices on her behalf
B)
Revisiting the decision when the uncle is not present at the bedside
C)
Teaching the client about her right to autonomy
D)
Holding a family meeting and encouraging the client to speak on her own behalf
Ans:
A

Feedback:

The right to self-determination (autonomy) means that it should never be forced on anyone. The client has the autonomous right to defer her decision-making to another individual if she freely chooses to do so.