Free Nursing Ethics MCQs with Answers
50 Nursing Ethics MCQs from Nursing Management and Ethics, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Nursing ethics examines autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, fidelity, veracity, confidentiality and respect for dignity. It covers informed consent, patient advocacy, privacy, refusal of treatment, end-of-life decisions and ethical dilemmas, while distinguishing ethical duties from legal requirements and personal beliefs.
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50 questions · page 3 of 3
- A. Apply wrist restraints immediately
- B. Explain the risk and try less restrictive measures first
- C. Ask the family to hold the patient's hands
- D. Remove the intravenous line without assessment
Explanation: The nurse should first assess reversible causes of confusion and use calm explanation, observation and other less restrictive measures.
Correct answer: Explain the risk and try less restrictive measures first- A. Accept the money if the service is available
- B. Refuse the money and explain that care is allocated fairly
- C. Accept the money but share it with the ward staff
- D. Arrange the service first and return the money later
Explanation: Accepting cash creates a conflict of interest and gives unfair advantage to one patient.
Correct answer: Refuse the money and explain that care is allocated fairly- A. Allow the family member to remain because they are related
- B. Ask the patient privately about the preferred support person
- C. Cancel the examination until the family member agrees
- D. Permit the family member to stay if the ward is busy
Explanation: A competent patient may choose who is present during personal care. Asking privately helps the nurse protect privacy and dignity while…
Correct answer: Ask the patient privately about the preferred support person- A. Let the most senior relative make the decision alone
- B. Continue treatment indefinitely without further discussion
- C. Request a multidisciplinary review and ethics consultation
- D. Allow the bedside nurse to make the final decision
Explanation: A complex disagreement should be reviewed using the patient's known wishes, best interests and relevant professional guidance.
Correct answer: Request a multidisciplinary review and ethics consultation- A. Delete the entry because the patient requests it
- B. Leave the entry unchanged without checking its accuracy
- C. Explain that records must be accurate and request a correction if needed
- D. Rewrite the entry using less direct language
Explanation: Clinical records should remain accurate, objective and complete. The nurse should not erase information, but an inaccurate entry can be…
Correct answer: Explain that records must be accurate and request a correction if needed- A. Ask the patient to sign because the form is available
- B. Read the form quickly and point to the signature line
- C. Use plain language and ask the patient to explain the information back
- D. Ask a relative to sign instead of the patient
Explanation: Teach-back checks whether the patient understands the purpose, risks and alternatives rather than merely producing a signature.
Correct answer: Use plain language and ask the patient to explain the information back- A. Choose the treatment the nurse personally prefers
- B. Tell the patient that the cheaper treatment is always best
- C. Explain the options and help the patient identify personal priorities
- D. Ask the family to choose because treatment decisions are difficult
Explanation: When more than one suitable option exists, the patient's values and preferences should guide the decision.
Correct answer: Explain the options and help the patient identify personal priorities- A. Arrange the treatment immediately because the relative is distressed
- B. Refuse to speak with the relative about the concern
- C. Explain the agreed goals and request review by the responsible team
- D. Stop all care until the relative accepts the plan
Explanation: The nurse should maintain the patient's agreed goals of care and communicate the concern to the responsible team.
Correct answer: Explain the agreed goals and request review by the responsible team- A. Accept the gift if no patient is present
- B. Accept it and avoid using the medicine personally
- C. Decline the gift and follow the workplace conflict-of-interest policy
- D. Accept it because the representative offered it voluntarily
Explanation: An expensive personal gift may influence, or appear to influence, professional judgment.
Correct answer: Decline the gift and follow the workplace conflict-of-interest policy- A. Ask the family member to sign as a witness
- B. Continue preparation because the form is ready
- C. Pause the process and inform the healthcare provider
- D. Tell the patient to obey the family member's wishes
Explanation: Consent must be voluntary and free from coercion, so the nurse should pause the process and notify the healthcare provider.
Correct answer: Pause the process and inform the healthcare provider