HCS 545 Health Law & Ethics Final Exam Review Q & A 2026 (Complete And Verified Study material) (18pages) LEARNEXAMS

1. A nurse accidentally administers a higher dose of medication than prescribed, resulting in patient harm. Which ethical principle is primarily at stake? A. Beneficence B. Nonmaleficence C. Autonomy D. Justice Answer: B. Nonmaleficence Rationale: Nonmaleficence is the principle of not causing harm to others. In this case, the nurse's action resulted in harm to the patient, which directly violates this principle. 2. A patient refuses a life-saving blood transfusion due to religious beliefs. How should the nurse proceed? A. Administer the transfusion, prioritizing the patient's health. B. Respect the patient's wishes and do not administer the transfusion. C. Persuade the patient to accept the transfusion. D. Seek a court order to administer the transfusion. Answer: B. Respect the patient's wishes and do not administer the transfusion. Rationale: Autonomy respects the patient's right to make decisions about their own health care. In this scenario, the nurse should respect the patient's autonomous decision, even if it conflicts with the nurse's personal beliefs or the principles of beneficence. 3. When is it ethically permissible for a nurse to breach patient confidentiality? A. When the information is interesting to the public. B. When the patient is a celebrity and the public has a right to know. C. When disclosure is necessary to protect the patient or others from harm. D. When discussing the case with friends after work. Answer: C. When disclosure is necessary to protect the patient or others from harm. Rationale: Confidentiality is a fundamental ethical principle in nursing, but it may be breached if nondisclosure could result in harm to the patient or others, such as in cases of communicable diseases or abuse