Gerontological Nursing Exam Questions

Eliopoulos Chapter 9- Ethical Aspects of Gerontological Nursing Exam Questions and Answers

• A nurse manager who provides leadership in a long-

term care facility prioritizes the need for residents to have current and relevant immunizations, stating, "it's inconvenient and costly, but it provides protection not only to the person getting the vaccine but to all those that they're in contact with." Which of the following ethical philosophies most likely underlies the nurse's statement?

• Nonmaleficence
• Absolutism
• Utilitarianism

D) Relativism - Correct Answers ✅Ans: C

Feedback:

The nurse's emphasis on providing a perceived good to a maximum number of individuals is typical of a utilitarian outlook.

• Due to a bed shortage in the area, the head nurse on a

busy geriatric medicine unit is under significant pressure to minimize client lengths of stay and speed up discharge planning. An older adult client who is convalescing after recent falls is adamant that he is not ready for discharge, and tells the nurse, "It doesn't matter who or how many people are waiting in the emergency department for this bed; I'm simply not healthy enough to go home yet." Of 1 / 3

Eliopoulos Chapter 9- Ethical Aspects of Gerontological Nursing Exam Questions and Answers which philosophy of ethics is the patient's statement most indicative?

• Absolutism
• Relativism
• Egoism

D) Beneficence - Correct Answers ✅Ans: C

Feedback:

An emphasis on one's personal interests is characteristic of egoism.

• Despite the wishes of her family and the

recommendations of the care team, a 70-year-old client with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure, but who is otherwise healthy, wants to have a no-code order in place. Which of the following statements by the care team most clearly prioritizes the patient's autonomy?

• "If this is what is best for everyone then we need to go

ahead with the order."

• "Provided it can be demonstrated that she has a

potentially poor prognosis, we should certainly consider doing this."

• "It's best that social work get involved at this point to

reconcile the family's and the patient's wishes." 2 / 3

Eliopoulos Chapter 9- Ethical Aspects of Gerontological Nursing Exam Questions and Answers

• "If that's what she wants, then ultimately we're obliged

to respect her wishes." - Correct Answers ✅Ans: D

Feedback:

Answer D most clearly prioritizes the patient's individual freedom, preference, and rights in this case, and these considerations would override the family's or the care team's conflicting interests.

• Nurse H is providing care in the hospital for a 71-year-

old male patient who is in the late stages of cancer and who has painful bone metastases. The client is non- responsive but groans and grimaces intermittently. Nurse H is drawing up a breakthrough dose of morphine for the patient, but Nurse R cautions that, "sure, that will address his pain, but it could depress his respiratory drive and actually kill him at this stage." Which of the following ethical principles is Nurse R prioritizing?

• Nonmaleficence
• Justice
• Beneficence

D) Fidelity - Correct Answers ✅Ans: A

Feedback:

Nurse R's emphasis on preventing harm to the patient, even during an act that may be motivated by altruism, is characteristic of the principle of nonmaleficence.

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