Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing

Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing Related

Review Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing related questions and content

Three illegal immigrants with no health insurance or money sustained life-threatening injuries during an automobile accident. Two of these individuals had head trauma and lacerated internal organs. The decision was made to provide extended care in the trauma center after emergency surgery was performed to save their lives. The third individual received only minor injuries, which were treated in the emergency department. The care of the two critical clients was based on the ethical principle of:

  • A. utilitarianism.
  • B. deontology.
  • C. autonomy.
  • D. veracity.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is an ethical principle that focuses on maximizing overall well-being and minimizing harm. In this scenario, the decision to provide extended care to the two critical individuals with life-threatening injuries aligns with utilitarianism as it prioritizes saving the most lives and reducing suffering. By choosing to allocate resources to those with the most severe injuries, the healthcare providers are aiming to maximize the overall benefit to society.

Summary of why the other choices are incorrect:
B: Deontology focuses on following rules and duties regardless of the consequences. In this case, the decision to provide care based on severity of injuries goes against a strict deontological approach.
C: Autonomy emphasizes respecting individuals' rights to make their own decisions about their care, which is not the primary consideration in this scenario.
D: Veracity pertains to honesty and truthfulness in communication, which is not directly relevant to the decision-making process in this healthcare scenario.

You may also like to solve these questions

Health care is one of the major stories in newspaper and television and a group of nurses are interested in how the economy impacts their nursing practice. The group critiques the relationship between contemporary economic trends and professional nursing practice and finds:

  • A. the implementation of the DRG system led to the nursing shortage since cost of nursing care is not billed.
  • B. nursing care is focused on technologically advanced acute care rather than preventive, patient-centered care.
  • C. with pay for performance, nurses have a significant effect on the quality of patient outcomes by reducing errors and providing care based on best practices.
  • D. economic issues have little or no impact on nursing practice.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because pay for performance initiatives incentivize nurses to improve patient outcomes by reducing errors and following best practices. This directly links economic incentives to nursing practice. Choice A is incorrect because the DRG system primarily affects hospital reimbursement, not nursing shortages. Choice B is incorrect as it focuses on the type of care, not the economic impact on nursing practice. Choice D is incorrect as economic factors like funding, resources, and reimbursement significantly influence nursing practice.

When the job applicant is asked to identify weaknesses, one appropriate reply for the novice nurse might be:

  • A. "I have no weaknesses."
  • B. "Are you trying to set me up?"
  • C. "Delegating to peers."
  • D. "Caring requires weakness."
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: "Delegating to peers." This response shows self-awareness and willingness to improve by acknowledging a common weakness for novice nurses - difficulty in delegating tasks to peers. It demonstrates a willingness to learn and grow in the role.

A: "I have no weaknesses." - This answer lacks self-awareness and does not show a willingness to improve. It comes across as overconfident.
B: "Are you trying to set me up?" - This response is defensive and unprofessional. It does not address the question directly.
D: "Caring requires weakness." - This answer is vague and does not provide a specific weakness or show a proactive approach to self-improvement.

Einstein's theory of relativity laid the groundwork for theories of mathematics, and Freud and Jung provided the basis for a philosophy of man. Which nursing theory served as the foundation for nursing science?

  • A. Rogers' science of unitary human beings
  • B. Nightingale's theory of practice
  • C. Watson's theory of human caring
  • D. King's theory of goal attainment
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Rogers' science of unitary human beings. Martha Rogers' theory emphasizes the interconnectedness of humans and the environment, showing how individuals are unified with their surroundings. This theory serves as the foundation for nursing science by focusing on the holistic nature of individuals and their environment, aligning with the core principles of nursing practice. Rogers' theory guides nurses in understanding the interconnectedness of human beings and their environment, shaping the way nursing care is delivered.

Summary of other choices:
B: Nightingale's theory of practice focuses on environmental factors and cleanliness in healthcare settings, but it does not provide the comprehensive framework for nursing science.
C: Watson's theory of human caring emphasizes the importance of caring in nursing, but it does not serve as the fundamental basis for nursing science.
D: King's theory of goal attainment emphasizes goal setting and achieving outcomes in nursing care, but it does not lay the foundational principles for nursing science.

A cultural phenomenon that is based on biologic variation would include:

  • A. belief that exposure of a pregnant woman to an eclipse can result in cleft lip.
  • B. denser bones in blacks result in less morbidity associated with osteoporosis.
  • C. the grandmother who determines that her grandchild has scoliosis and should seek treatment, then informs the parents of her decision.
  • D. a family that participates in feasts prepared to celebrate and make decisions.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it describes a cultural belief that attributes a physical trait (cleft lip) to a specific biological event (exposure to an eclipse during pregnancy). This choice demonstrates a cultural phenomenon based on biologic variation.

Choice B is incorrect because it attributes denser bones in blacks to less morbidity from osteoporosis, which is a generalization and not necessarily a cultural phenomenon. Choice C is incorrect as it describes a family dynamic related to healthcare decision-making and not a cultural belief based on biologic variation. Choice D is incorrect as it describes a family tradition related to feasting and decision-making, which does not directly involve biologic variation.

Care delivery using the team-based approach is used on a telemetry nursing unit. The team consists of one registered nurse (RN), two licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and one unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Staff have been charged to improve quality of care while ensuring cost containment. Which assignments would meet both criteria?

  • A. The RN administers all medications to all patients.
  • B. The LPN performs sterile dressings and IV tubing changes on all central lines.
  • C. The experienced UAP places telemetry electrodes and attaches to cardiac monitor.
  • D. The RN administers an enema to a stable patient who has an order "administer fleet enema PRN when no bowel movement in 2 days."
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because it aligns with improving quality of care and cost containment. LPNs are trained to perform sterile procedures like dressing changes and IV tubing changes, which can enhance patient outcomes. This assignment allows the RN to focus on tasks that require their specialized skills, promoting quality care. Furthermore, utilizing LPNs for these tasks is more cost-effective than having an RN perform them.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect:
A: Having the RN administer all medications to all patients is not utilizing the team effectively. LPNs and UAPs can handle medication administration under appropriate supervision.
C: While experienced UAPs can assist with attaching telemetry electrodes, this task does not fully utilize the skills of the LPNs and RN to improve care quality.
D: Administering an enema is within the scope of an LPN's practice, and assigning this task to the RN is not the most efficient use of resources.

Copyright © 2025 Nokea. All rights reserved.