A competent client, after a full explanation of benefits and risks, declines a prescribed statin. The nurse documents the decision and informs the prescriber instead of pressuring the client. Which ethical principle is the nurse upholding?
Beneficence
Justice
Fidelity
Autonomy
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: D. Autonomy
Topic: autonomy and informed refusal
Autonomy is the client's right to make informed decisions about their own care, including refusing treatment. The nurse supports that right by ensuring the decision is informed, documenting it, and informing the prescriber.
Why the others are wrong
A – Beneficence is about acting for the client's good, which could conflict with respecting a refusal.
B – Justice concerns fair distribution of care.
C – Fidelity means keeping promises and loyalty to the client.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
27Question
A nurse explains two equally effective once-daily antihypertensives to a client with new hypertension and lets the client choose one. What is the most likely benefit of honoring the client's choice?
Better adherence and better outcomes
The client will not experience any adverse effects
The prescriber's legal liability is eliminated
The medication will lower blood pressure faster
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: A. Better adherence and better outcomes
Topic: benefits of respecting autonomy
Clients who take part in decisions about their care tend to adhere to the treatment plan better and have better outcomes. Choice does not change the pharmacology of the drug or remove all risk.
Why the others are wrong
B – Participating in the choice does not prevent adverse effects.
C – Shared decision-making does not remove the prescriber's responsibilities.
D – The speed of the drug action is a pharmacologic property, not affected by the choice.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
28Question
A nurse who has worked four consecutive 16-hour shifts is asked to cover a fifth. She feels exhausted and has noticed small lapses in concentration while preparing medications. Which response is most consistent with professional ethics and safe practice?
Accept, because client needs always come before the nurse's own needs
Decline and tell the manager that fatigue could compromise safety
Accept, but double-check only the high-alert drugs
Accept and drink caffeine to stay alert
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: B. Decline and tell the manager that fatigue could compromise safety
Topic: fatigue and duty to self
Nurses owe the same duty to themselves as to others, including preserving their own health and safety, and fatigue raises the risk of medication errors. Declining and explaining the safety concern to the manager protects the clients and is the professionally responsible choice.
Why the others are wrong
A – Working while impaired by fatigue endangers clients, so it does not put them first.
C – Partial vigilance does not address general impairment; any medication step can go wrong.
D – Caffeine does not restore judgment after sleep loss.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
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Nursing