Exam 3: Ethical and Legal Issues

A valid, legally recognized claim or entitlement, encompassing both freedom from government interference or discriminatory treatment and an entitlement to a benefit or a service is defined as a _______________________.

A client requests information on several medications in order to make an informed choice about management of depression. A nurse should provide this information to facilitate which ethical principle?

A geriatric client is confused and wandering in and out of every door. Which scenario reflects the least restrictive alternative for this client?

Which is an example of an intentional tort?

Which statement should a nurse identify as correct regarding a client's right to refuse treatment?

Group therapy is strongly encouraged, but not mandatory, in an inpatient psychiatric unit. The unit manager's policy is that clients can make a choice about whether or not to attend group therapy. Which ethical principle does the unit manager's policy preserve?

In response to a student's question regarding choosing a psychiatric specialty, a charge nurse states, "Mentally ill clients need special care. If I were in that position, I'd want a caring nurse also." From which ethical framework is the charge nurse operating?

An inpatient psychiatric physician refuses to treat clients without insurance and prematurely discharges those whose insurance benefits have expired. Which ethical principle should a nurse determine has been violated based on these actions?

Which potential client should a nurse identify as a candidate for involuntarily commitment?

During a hiring interview, which response by a nursing applicant should indicate that the applicant operates from an ethical egoism framework?

A client diagnosed with schizophrenia receives fluphenazine decanoate (Prolixin Decanoate) from a home-health nurse. The client refuses medication at one regularly scheduled home visit. Which nursing intervention is ethically appropriate?

After disturbing the peace, an aggressive, disoriented, unkempt, homeless individual is escorted to an emergency department. The client threatens suicide. Which of the following criteria would enable a physician to consider involuntary commitment?

A brother calls to speak to his sister, who has been admitted to a psychiatric unit. The nurse connects him to the community phone, and the sister is summoned. Later the nurse realizes that the brother was not on the client's approved call list. What law has the nurse broken?

A client who will be receiving ECT must provide informed consent. Which situation should cause a nurse to question the validity of the informed consent?

Which situation exemplifies both assault and battery?

Which situation reflects violation of the ethical principle of veracity?

Without authorization, a nurse administers an extra dose of narcotic tranquilizer to an agitated client. The nurse's coworker observes this action but does nothing for fear of retaliation. What is the ethical interpretation of the coworker's lack of involvement?

A branch of philosophy that addresses methods for determining the rightness or wrongness of one's actions is defined as _______________________.

A client diagnosed with schizophrenia refuses to take medication, citing the right of autonomy. Under which circumstance would a nurse have the right to medicate the client against the client's wishes?

An involuntarily committed client is verbally abusive to the staff, repeatedly threatening to sue. The client records the full names and phone numbers of the staff. Which nursing action is most appropriate to decrease the possibility of a lawsuit?