Nokea
The family has requested a client with terminal cancer not be told of the diagnosis. The client tells the nurse, 'I think something is really wrong with me, but the doctor says everything is all right. Do you know if there is something wrong with me?' Which response by the nurse would support the ethical principle of veracity?
- A. I think you should talk to your doctor about your concerns.
- B. What makes you think something is really wrong?
- C. Your family has requested you not be told your diagnosis.
- D. The doctor would never tell you incorrect information.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Veracity (truth-telling) requires honesty; acknowledging the family’s request respects their wishes while addressing the client’s question, prompting further discussion. Other responses evade truth.
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The male client in the long-term care facility has been told that he will not live for many more months. The client has been estranged from his daughter for years. He tells the nurse that he could die a happy man if he could talk to his daughter just one more time. Which statement is the nurse's best response?
- A. You should not feel bad. Things will work out for the best before your death.
- B. What did you do to make your daughter not talk to you all this time?
- C. If you would like I can try to contact your daughter and ask her to come see you.
- D. Tell me more about being unhappy that you don't have a relationship with your daughter.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Offering to contact the daughter supports the client’s wish, per patient-centered care. Minimizing feelings, blaming, or exploring unhappiness is less actionable.
The male client diagnosed with chronic pain since a construction accident which broke several vertebrae tells the nurse he has been referred to a pain clinic and asks, 'What good will it do? I will never be free of this pain.' Which statement is the nurse's best response?
- A. Are you afraid of the pain never going away?
- B. The pain clinic will give you medication to cure the pain.
- C. Pain clinics work to help you achieve relief from pain.
- D. I am not sure. You should discuss this with your HCP.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pain clinics offer multimodal relief (e.g., therapy, medications), addressing chronic pain holistically. Fear exploration, cure promises, or deferring to HCP is less supportive.
The nurse is caring for a client who is confused and fell trying to get out of bed. There is no family at the client's bedside. Which action should the nurse implement first?
- A. Contact a family member to come and stay with the client.
- B. Administer a sedative medication to the client.
- C. Place the client in a chair with a sheet tied around him or her.
- D. Notify the health-care provider to obtain a restraint order.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Notifying the HCP for a restraint order ensures safety and legal compliance for a confused client at risk of falls. Family contact, sedation, or makeshift restraints are unsafe or secondary.
The nurse is teaching a class on ethical principles in nursing. Which statement supports the definition of beneficence?
- A. The duty to prevent or avoid doing harm.
- B. The duty to actively do good for clients.
- C. The duty to be faithful to commitments.
- D. The duty to tell the truth to the clients.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Beneficence is the duty to actively promote client well-being, per ethical principles. Nonmalfeasance, fidelity, and veracity are distinct principles.
The client with multiple sclerosis who is becoming very debilitated tells the home health nurse the Hemlock Society sent information on euthanasia. Which question should the nurse ask the client?
- A. Why did you get in touch with the Hemlock Society?
- B. Did you know this is an illegal organization?
- C. Who do you know who has committed suicide?
- D. What religious beliefs do you practice?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Asking why the client contacted the Hemlock Society explores their intent, guiding supportive care. Legality, suicide contacts, or religion are judgmental or irrelevant.