A nurse is reviewing ethical principles with a nursing colleague. Which of the following statements by the nursing colleague indicates an understanding of ethical principles?
“Justice refers to our clients’ loyalty to their nurse.”
“Veracity is the ability of our clients to provide us with truthful information.”
“Nonmaleficence is our nursing obligation to do no harm to our clients.”
“Beneficence is our duty to provide care to our clients that causes an intentional outcome.”
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Justice is the ethical principle concerned with fairness, equity, and the impartial distribution of resources, risks, and benefits. In healthcare, justice guides decisions such as prioritizing care based on clinical need and ensuring equal access to services regardless of personal characteristics. It does not relate to client loyalty, which is not an ethical principle but rather a relational dynamic. Framing justice as loyalty misrepresents its core meaning and undermines its role in ethical decision-making, which centers on fairness and equitable treatment across individuals and populations.
Choice B reason: Veracity is the ethical duty to tell the truth, primarily referring to the clinician’s obligation to be honest with clients, provide accurate information, and support informed decision-making. While clients may also be truthful, the ethical principle of veracity is anchored in professional conduct—ensuring transparency, avoiding deception, and maintaining trust through honest communication. Defining veracity as the client’s ability to provide truthful information shifts responsibility away from the clinician and distorts the principle’s intent, which is to uphold truthfulness in the delivery of care.
Choice C reason: Nonmaleficence is the obligation to avoid causing harm—“do no harm.” This principle requires nurses to prevent injury, minimize risk, and avoid interventions where harms outweigh benefits. It underpins safe practice, careful monitoring, and risk mitigation, including avoiding unnecessary procedures, preventing medication errors, and recognizing when withholding or withdrawing interventions is ethically appropriate. It is correctly stated here as a core nursing obligation, aligning with the foundational ethical commitment to protect clients from harm in all aspects of care.
Choice D reason: Beneficence is the duty to promote the well-being of clients by acting in their best interests, supporting positive outcomes, and balancing benefits against risks. It does not mean causing an “intentional outcome,” which implies a focus on intent rather than the ethical quality of the outcome. Ethical beneficence emphasizes compassionate, evidence-based actions that enhance health and quality of life, while avoiding paternalism and ensuring respect for autonomy. The phrasing here is misleading because beneficence is about promoting good, not merely producing outcomes through intention without regard to benefit, risk, or consent.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Student nurses are indeed held accountable to the Code of Ethics. The COE applies to all individuals practicing nursing, including students, because they are expected to uphold professional standards and ethical conduct during their training. Claiming that students are exempt misrepresents the scope of the COE and undermines its role in guiding professional development.
Choice B reason: Obtaining licensure is a regulatory requirement governed by state boards of nursing and professional licensing authorities, not by the COE itself. While ethical practice supports honesty and integrity in licensure processes, the COE does not directly address licensure acquisition. This statement confuses regulatory requirements with ethical guidelines.
Choice C reason: Professional media, including social media use, is included in the COE under professional conduct and accountability. Nurses are expected to maintain confidentiality, respect, and professionalism in all forms of communication. Saying that media is not included is inaccurate, as misuse of social media can violate ethical principles such as confidentiality and respect for human dignity.
Choice D reason: Professional expectations are explicitly included in the COE. The document outlines standards of ethical behavior, accountability, respect, advocacy, and integrity that nurses must uphold in all aspects of practice. This statement correctly reflects the purpose of the COE, which is to guide professional conduct and ensure ethical nursing practice.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Entering the crisis center number into their phone demonstrates active engagement with the safety plan. This action shows that the client is taking practical steps to ensure they can access help if needed. It reflects readiness to use available resources and indicates that the client has internalized the importance of safety planning.
Choice B reason: Stating they are not planning to leave their home does not evaluate the effectiveness of the safety plan. While it reflects the client’s current decision, it does not show engagement with the resources provided or readiness to act if danger arises.
Choice C reason: Thanking the nurse for the information is polite but does not demonstrate actual engagement with the safety plan. Gratitude alone does not indicate that the client will use the resource or has incorporated it into their safety strategy.
Choice D reason: Believing the home will be safer because of the presence of a baby is a misconception and does not reflect an understanding of the safety plan. In fact, the presence of children can increase risk in abusive environments. This response shows denial rather than engagement with protective measures.
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