Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
When preparing to administer medications, the nurse carefully confirms the drug order and the patient's identity. This adherence to an essential ethical principle is:
A. Maleficence
Option A refers to wrongdoing or misconduct and is not applicable in this situation.
B. Non-maleficence
When preparing to administer medications, the nurse carefully confirms the drug order and the patient's identity. This adherence to an essential ethical principle is Non-maleficence. Non-maleficencerefers to the principle of "do no harm" and requires healthcare providers to avoid causing harm to their patients.
C. Veracity
Option C refers to truthfulness and honesty, but it is not the primary principle being demonstrated in this situation.
D. Justice
Option D refers to fairness and equality, but it is not the primary principle being demonstrated in this situation.
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Full Explanation
When preparing to administer medications, the nurse carefully confirms the drug order and the patient's identity. This adherence to an essential ethical principle is Non-maleficence. Non-maleficence refers to the principle of "do no harm" and requires healthcare providers to avoid causing harm to their patients.
Option A refers to wrongdoing or misconduct and is not applicable in this situation.
Option C refers to truthfulness and honesty, but it is not the primary principle being demonstrated in this situation.
Option D refers to fairness and equality, but it is not the primary principle being demonstrated in this situation.
Similar Questions
A nurse asks an assistive personnel (AP) to take a specimen to the laboratory, and the AP refuses. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Discuss the incident with the AP.
If an assistive personnel (AP) refuses to take a specimen to the laboratory, the nurse should first discuss the incident with the AP. This allows the nurse to understand the reasons for the refusal and to address any concerns or issues that may have led to the refusal.
B. Complete an incident report.
Option B may be necessary at some point, but it should not be the first response.
C. Take the specimen to the laboratory.
Option C may also be necessary to ensure that the specimen is delivered to the laboratory in a timely manner, but it does not address the underlying issue.
D. Report the AP to the charge nurse.
Option D may also be necessary at some point, but it should not be the first response.
Full Explanation
If an assistive personnel (AP) refuses to take a specimen to the laboratory, the nurse should first discuss the incident with the AP. This allows the nurse to understand the reasons for the refusal and to address any concerns or issues that may have led to the refusal.
Option B may be necessary at some point, but it should not be the first response.
Option C may also be necessary to ensure that the specimen is delivered to the laboratory in a timely manner, but it does not address the underlying issue.
Option D may also be necessary at some point, but it should not be the first response.
A nurse working in a long-term care facility is assigned to care for four clients following the 0700 morning change-of-shift report. Which of the following clients should the nurse attend to first?
A. A client who has bronchitis, began receiving antibiotics yesterday and has a temperature of 38.3°C (101°F).
Option A may require attention, but the client's condition is stable and they are receiving treatment.
B. A client who has COPD and has an oxygen saturation of 90%.
Option B may also require attention, but an oxygen saturation of 90% is within an acceptable range for a client with COPD.
C. A client who has Alzheimer's and was restless during the night.
Option C may also require attention, but the client's restlessness during the night does not indicate an immediate need for intervention.
D. A client who has diabetes and had a 0600 blood glucose level of 60 mg/dL.
Of the four clients described, the nurse should attend to the client who has diabetes and had a 0600 blood glucose level of 60 mg/dL first. This client's blood glucose level is low and requires immediate intervention to prevent further complications.
Full Explanation
Of the four clients described, the nurse should attend to the client who has diabetes and had a 0600 blood glucose level of 60 mg/dL first. This client's blood glucose level is low and requires immediate intervention to prevent further complications.
Option A may require attention, but the client's condition is stable and they are receiving treatment.
Option B may also require attention, but an oxygen saturation of 90% is within an acceptable range for a client with COPD.
Option C may also require attention, but the client's restlessness during the night does not indicate an immediate need for intervention.

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a group of newly licensed nurses about completing an incident report. For which of the following situations should the nurse complete an incident report?
A. A client decides not to have a colonoscopy after signing the consent form.
Option A does not require an incident report as the client has the right to refuse treatment.
B. A client requests to take a shower in the evening rather than in the morning.
Option B also does not require an incident report as it is a routine request.
C. A client has an episode of vomiting after receiving medication for hypertension.
Vomiting may be a side effect, but unless it causes harm or is unexpected, it doesn’t meet incident report criteria.
D. A client's family member becomes short of breath and reports having chest pain.
A medical emergency involving a visitor is unexpected and requires documentation for liability, safety, and institutional response tracking.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is Choice D.
Choice A rationale: Withdrawing consent is a client’s legal right. No error or unexpected event occurred, so no incident report is required.
Choice B rationale: Preference for shower timing is a routine care adjustment, not an adverse or unusual event requiring documentation.
Choice C rationale: Vomiting may be a side effect, but unless it causes harm or is unexpected, it doesn’t meet incident report criteria.
Choice D rationale: A medical emergency involving a visitor is unexpected and requires documentation for liability, safety, and institutional response tracking.