CCRN Practice Questions – Ethics with Answers, Exams of Medicine

Download CCRN Practice Questions – Ethics with Answers and more Exams Medicine in PDF only on Docsity! CCRN Practice Questions – Ethics with Answers A 65-year-old man just arrived in the critical care unit from the emergency department. His diagnosis is acute inferior myocardial infarction. The patient's family is visibly upset and anxious. What can the nurse do to best assist the family at this time? a. Listen to their concerns and answer their questions in an easy-to-understand manner. b. Begin teaching them about the various causes of myocardial infarction. c. Ask the family the type of diet and activity level the patient has had at home. d. Set up a counseling session with the cardiac rehabilitation nurse as soon as possible. - ANS: Correct answer: a Rationale: The family is anxious and will not be able to absorb new information. Further assessment of their concerns and reaction to hospitalization of a loved one is the best initial approach. Test-Taking Strategy: Remember that during times of crisis, it is best to be direct and simple and not to elaborate. Option a is the logical choice during crisis. A nurse has been asked to chair the unit-based evidence-based practice committee. Which of the following would be the best course of action to stimulate staff nurses' involvement in quality improvement and evidence-based practice on the unit? a. Initiate a review process for proposed studies to ensure that the designs are appropriate and scientific. b. Recommend that a researcher be hired to assist the staff in designing studies. c. Ensure that the staff is given paid time off to participate. d. Create a joint medical/nursing research committee. - ANS: Correct answer: c Rationale: The staff is unlikely to be able to invest time in these important activities if the activities must be sandwiched between patient care responsibilities. The staff should be given paid time to participate in the activities. Although the other activities may be helpful, they are unlikely to have the positive effect that option c will have. Test-Taking Strategy: None A patient refuses to take her medications. Which would be the best approach? a. "Take your pills now, or I will have to put a tube into your stomach to give them to you." b. "Take your medications now. Your doctor knows what is best for you." c. "If you take your medications, I'll get you an extra pudding." d. "You always feel better after your medications." - ANS: Correct answer: d Rationale: Option a constitutes assault. Option b offers an unhelpful platitude. Option c is bribery. Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the positive. Choose the option that focuses on the positive effect of taking the medications. Choose option d. If a patient tells the nurse that he's made a living will, which of the following is the appropriate action? a. Ignore it; the law presumes that a patient wishes to preserve his own life. b. Ask the spouse and children what they desire and follow their desires. c. Follow the physician's desire even if it goes against the patient's desires. d. Try to see that the patient's wishes are honored even if it involves going through the chain of command. - ANS: Correct answer: d Rationale: The patient's wishes should be honored. It is his life, and if he does not want extraordinary measures used to prolong it, this is his right. His decision must have been made when he was not under the influence of drugs and not suffering from a mental illness, including depression. Test-Taking Strategy: Look for the option that protects the patient's autonomy. Choose option d. Another approach that works well with this question is to look for the longest answer because the correct answer is more likely to require more explanation. Who should obtain informed consent for a surgical procedure? a. The nurse completing the surgical checklist b. The physician performing the surgical procedure c. The admission clerk d. The surgeon's office nurse - ANS: Correct answer: b Rationale: The informed consent is obtained by the physician performing the surgical procedure and should include a description of the procedure along with benefits and risk. The nurse may legally witness the patient's signature, but it is the physician's responsibility to inform the patient and obtain the consent. Test-Taking Strategy: Consider that only the physician performing the surgical procedure can explain clearly what is to be done. Choose option b.