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The nurse is caring for an 82-year-old female client who is crying and asking for her mother to come to see her. Which statement represents the ethical principle of nonmalfeasance?
- A. You must miss your mother very much. Can you tell me about her?
- B. You are 82 years old. Your mother is dead and can't come see you.
- C. Why do you need your mother? Can I get something for you?
- D. Your mother would not want you to worry. I will tell her you want to see her.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Nonmalfeasance (do no harm) involves empathetic engagement, like discussing the mother, avoiding emotional harm. Blunt truth, questioning needs, or false promises may distress.
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The client who is terminally ill called the significant others to the room and said goodbye, then dismissed them and now lies quietly and refuses to eat. The nurse understands the client is in what stage of the grieving process?
- A. Denial.
- B. Anger.
- C. Bargaining.
- D. Acceptance.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Saying goodbye and withdrawing quietly reflect acceptance in Kübler-Ross’s grief stages, common in terminal illness.
The client has been declared brain dead and is an organ donor. The nurse is preparing the wife of the client to enter the room to say good-bye. Which information is most important for the nurse to discuss with the wife?
- A. Inform the wife the client will still be on the ventilator.
- B. Instruct the wife to only stay a few minutes at the bedside.
- C. Tell the wife it is all right to talk to the client.
- D. Allow another family member to go in with the wife.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Informing the wife about the ventilator prepares her for the client’s appearance, reducing distress, a priority for organ donors. Time limits, talking, or companions are secondary.
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 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.