Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A. Beneficence.
Beneficence. Beneficence refers to the ethical principle of doing what is best for the client's well-being and promoting their welfare. While returning with pain medication promptly does contribute to the client's well-being, this principle does not specifically address the nurse's commitment to keeping promises or being faithful to their word.
B. Utility.
Utility. Utility refers to the ethical principle of seeking the greatest benefit for the greatest number of people. Fulfilling a promise to provide pain medication within the agreed-upon time frame benefits the individual client but is not necessarily related to maximizing overall utility for a broader population.
C. Justice.
Justice. Justice involves fairness and equitable distribution of resources and care. While ensuring timely pain relief can be seen as a just action, the concept of justice is not directly tied to keeping promises or fidelity.
D. Fidelity.
Fidelity. Fidelity, also known as "non-maleficence," centers on being faithful to commitments and maintaining trust in the nurse-client relationship. Returning with the medication as promised within 15 minutes exemplifies fidelity, as the nurse is honoring their commitment to the client's well-being and building trust through their actions.
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Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Beneficence. Beneficence refers to the ethical principle of doing what is best for the client's well-being and promoting their welfare. While returning with pain medication promptly does contribute to the client's well-being, this principle does not specifically address the nurse's commitment to keeping promises or being faithful to their word.
Choice B rationale:
Utility. Utility refers to the ethical principle of seeking the greatest benefit for the greatest number of people. Fulfilling a promise to provide pain medication within the agreed-upon time frame benefits the individual client but is not necessarily related to maximizing overall utility for a broader population.
Choice C rationale:
Justice. Justice involves fairness and equitable distribution of resources and care. While ensuring timely pain relief can be seen as a just action, the concept of justice is not directly tied to keeping promises or fidelity.
Choice D rationale:
Fidelity. Fidelity, also known as "non-maleficence," centers on being faithful to commitments and maintaining trust in the nurse-client relationship. Returning with the medication as promised within 15 minutes exemplifies fidelity, as the nurse is honoring their commitment to the client's well-being and building trust through their actions.
Similar Questions
A client who has back pain presents to an emergency department and is provided a prescription for oxycodone. A staff nurse tells the charge nurse that they think the client is seeking drugs and is not actually in distress. Which of the following responses should the charge nurse make?
A. "It sounds like nonpharmacological interventions would be best for this client.”
is wrong because the nurse is suggesting an intervention without assessing the client's pain or consulting the healthcare provider. Although nonpharmacological interventions may be appropriate, they should be discussed with the client and provider before making decisions.
B. "Let's withhold the oxycodone until we can consult with the provider.”
is wrong because withholding prescribed medication without a valid reason or consultation with the healthcare provider is inappropriate and could result in inadequate pain management.
C. "Contact mental health services to arrange for a consultation.”
is wrong because contacting mental health services for a consultation based on the assumption that the client is seeking drugs may be premature and overlook the client's reported pain. A thorough assessment and discussion with the healthcare provider should precede any consultation.
D. "Clients are the experts on their own pain.”
The charge nurse's response acknowledges the client's self-report of pain, which is considered the most reliable indicator of pain presence and intensity. This approach emphasizes the importance of individualized pain management and respects the client's autonomy.
Full Explanation
Answer is: d. "Clients are the experts on their own pain."
Explanation: The charge nurse's response acknowledges the client's self-report of pain, which is considered the most reliable indicator of pain presence and intensity. This approach emphasizes the importance of individualized pain management and respects the client's autonomy.
Statement a. is wrong because the nurse is suggesting an intervention without assessing the client's pain or consulting the healthcare provider. Although nonpharmacological interventions may be appropriate, they should be discussed with the client and provider before making decisions.
Statement b. is wrong because withholding prescribed medication without a valid reason or consultation with the healthcare provider is inappropriate and could result in inadequate pain management.
Statement c. is wrong because contacting mental health services for a consultation based on the assumption that the client is seeking drugs may be premature and overlook the client's reported pain. A thorough assessment and discussion with the healthcare provider should precede any consultation.
A nurse from a medical unit is asked to work on an orthopedic unit. The medical nurse has no orthopedic experience. Which of the following clients should be assigned to the medical nurse?
A. A client who is in balanced skeletal traction.
“A client who is in balanced skeletal traction.” This client requires specialized orthopedic knowledge to manage the traction and monitor for complications. A nurse without orthopedic experience may not be familiar with the care required.
B. A client who had a total hip arthroplasty 3 days ago.
“A client who had a total hip arthroplasty 3 days ago.” This client is likely to require specialized post-operative care, including pain management, mobility assistance, and monitoring for complications such as infection or dislocation. These tasks typically require specific orthopedic training.
C. A client who has a fractured femur with a new cast.
“A client who has a fractured femur with a new cast.” This client will require specialized care to manage the cast, monitor for complications such as compartment syndrome, and provide pain management. These tasks typically require specific orthopedic training.
D. A client who had a right above-the-knee amputation 24 hours ago.
“A client who had a right above-the-knee amputation 24 hours ago.” This is the correct answer. While this client will require post-operative care, the care is likely to be similar to the post-operative care provided on a medical unit, such as pain management, wound care, and monitoring for complications. Therefore, a nurse from a medical unit could likely provide appropriate care for this client.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is choice D.
Choice A rationale:
“A client who is in balanced skeletal traction.” This client requires specialized orthopedic knowledge to manage the traction and monitor for complications. A nurse without orthopedic experience may not be familiar with the care required.
Choice B rationale:
“A client who had a total hip arthroplasty 3 days ago.” This client is likely to require specialized post-operative care, including pain management, mobility assistance, and monitoring for complications such as infection or dislocation. These tasks typically require specific orthopedic training.
Choice C rationale:
“A client who has a fractured femur with a new cast.” This client will require specialized care to manage the cast, monitor for complications such as compartment syndrome, and provide pain management. These tasks typically require specific orthopedic training.
Choice D rationale:
“A client who had a right above-the-knee amputation 24 hours ago.” This is the correct answer. While this client will require post-operative care, the care is likely to be similar to the post-operative care provided on a medical unit, such as pain management, wound care, and monitoring for complications. Therefore, a nurse from a medical unit could likely provide appropriate care for this client.
A nurse is caring for a 19-year-old client who has just been informed that their cancer has metastasized. The client tells the nurse that they do not want to continue chemotherapy. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
A. "I will have the provider discuss treatment options with your parents.”
Involving the client's parents in treatment decisions might not be appropriate if the client does not want them involved. Furthermore, the client's autonomy and wishes should be respected, and decisions about treatment should be primarily based on the client's preferences.
B. "I will gather information about palliative care for you.”
This is the correct response. The nurse should respect the client's decision to discontinue chemotherapy and provide information about palliative care as an alternative option. Palliative care focuses on symptom management and improving the client's quality of life, aligning with the client's wishes to stop chemotherapy.
C. "I will contact your spiritual advisor to discuss this decision with you.”
Contacting the spiritual advisor is not directly related to the client's expressed desire to discontinue chemotherapy. While spiritual and emotional support are important, the primary concern here is addressing the client's medical decisions.
D. "I will contact your parents about becoming your designees in your durable power of attorney.”
Contacting the client's parents to discuss durable power of attorney is not appropriate if the client does not want them involved in the decision-making process. The client's autonomy and preferences should be respected, and they should be empowered to make their own medical decisions.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Involving the client's parents in treatment decisions might not be appropriate if the client does not want them involved. Furthermore, the client's autonomy and wishes should be respected, and decisions about treatment should be primarily based on the client's preferences.
Choice B rationale:
This is the correct response. The nurse should respect the client's decision to discontinue chemotherapy and provide information about palliative care as an alternative option. Palliative care focuses on symptom management and improving the client's quality of life, aligning with the client's wishes to stop chemotherapy.
Choice C rationale:
Contacting the spiritual advisor is not directly related to the client's expressed desire to discontinue chemotherapy. While spiritual and emotional support are important, the primary concern here is addressing the client's medical decisions.
Choice D rationale:
Contacting the client's parents to discuss durable power of attorney is not appropriate if the client does not want them involved in the decision-making process. The client's autonomy and preferences should be respected, and they should be empowered to make their own medical decisions.