RN Nursing · Ethics and Decision Making · Practice question
A facility provides annual staff education regarding ethical practice. A charge nurse recognizes a need for further education when which of the following behaviors is observed?
-
A nurse gives prescribed opioids to a client who has a terminal illness and respirations of 8/min.
-
A nurse refuses to actively participate during an elective abortion procedure scheduled for her client.
-
A nurse informs a confused client who wants to go home that he is going to stay at the facility until he is better.
-
✓
A nurse explains to a client's family that a DNR order includes withholding comfort measures.
Answer & explanation
Correct: A nurse explains to a client's family that a DNR order includes withholding comfort measures.
The behavior that indicates a need for further education about ethical practice is explaining to a client's family that a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order includes withholding comfort measures. This is factually incorrect and therefore unethical because it misinforms the family. A DNR order only directs that cardiopulmonary resuscitation will not be initiated in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest; it does not withhold pain management, hygiene, nutrition, emotional support, or any other comfort-focused interventions. Misrepresenting the scope of a DNR order may cause unnecessary distress and could lead families to make decisions based on false information. Administering prescribed opioids to a terminally ill client even with slow respirations reflects the ethical principle of double effect — symptom relief takes priority in palliative care, and this is acceptable nursing practice. A nurse refusing to actively participate in an elective abortion exercise conscientious objection, which is an ethical and legal right as long as the client still receives care. Telling a confused client he will stay until he is better may reflect necessary therapeutic communication given impaired decision-making capacity, which is ethically justifiable in context. Therefore, only the DNR statement demonstrates a knowledge deficit requiring further education.
Practise Ethics and Decision Making questions
Work through full question sets with instant rationales, timed exams, and progress tracking.
Start practising freeRelated practice questions
- A nurse is teaching a class on leadership. The nurse should include which of the following types of leaders strictly enforce rules to maintain compliance?
- Which action should the nurse take to demonstrate client advocacy?
- A nurse is advocating for a client who is refusing chemotherapy despite the physician's recommendations. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
- A nursing leader is facilitating a discussion with a team of junior nurse leaders on ethical decision-making in nursing. What should the nurse leader include in the discussion as is the first step in the ethical decision-making process?