Exam 2: Social, Ethical, and Legal Issues

A nurse working in a labor and birth unit is asked to take care of two high-risk patients in the labor and birth suite: a 34 weeks' gestation 28-year-old gravida 3, para 2 in preterm labor and a 40-year-old gravida 1, para 0 who is severely preeclamptic. The nurse refuses this assignment telling the charge nurse that based on individual patient acuity, each patient should have one-on-one care. Which ethical principle is the nurse advocating?

The clinic nurse often cares for patients who are considering an abortion. Which responsibilities does this nurse have in regard to this issue? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is working in the area of labor and birth. Her assignment is to take care of a gravida 1 para 0 woman who presents in early labor at term. Vaginal exam reflects the following: 2 cm, cervix posterior, -1 station, and vertex with membranes intact. The patient asks the nurse if she can break her water so that her labor can go faster. The nurse's response, based on the ethical principle of nonmaleficence, is which of the following?

A nurse is working with an active labor patient who is in preterm labor and has been designated as high risk. The patient is very apprehensive and asks the nurse, "Is everything going to be all right?" The nurse replies, "Yes, everything will be okay." Following delivery via an emergency cesarean birth, the newborn undergoes resuscitation and does not survive. The patient is distraught over the outcome and blames the nurse for telling her that everything would be okay. Which ethical principle did the nurse violate?

A patient arrives to the clinic 2 hours late for her prenatal appointment. This is the third time she has been late. What is the nurse's best action in response to this patient's tardiness?

Which situation is most representative of an extended family?

A nurse is admitting a patient to the labor and birth unit in early labor that was sent to the facility following a checkup with her health care provider in the office. The patient is a gravida 1, para 0, and is at term. No health issues are discerned from the initial assessment, and the nurse prepares to initiate physician orders based on standard procedures. Which action by the nurse manager is warranted in this situation?

In some Middle Eastern and African cultures, female genital mutilation (female cutting) is a prerequisite for marriage. Women who now live in North America need care from nurses who are knowledgeable about the procedure and comfortable with the abnormal appearance of their genitalia. When caring for this patient, the nurse can formulate a diagnosis with the understanding that the patient may be at risk for which of the following? (Select all that apply.)

Which issue is a major concern among members of lower socioeconomic groups?

Which actions by the nurse indicate compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)? (Select all that apply.)

The nurse is providing care to a patient who was just admitted to the labor and birth unit in active labor at term. The patient informed the nurse, "I have not received any prenatal care because I cannot afford to go to the doctor. And, this is my third baby, so I know what to expect." What is the nurse's primary concern when developing the patient's plan of care?

The nurse is planning a teaching session for staff on ethical theories. Which situation best reflects the Deontologic theory?