Nursing Ethics MCQs

  1. Which principle in nursing ethics refers to the obligation to do no harm?
    A) Beneficence
    B) Nonmaleficence
    C) Autonomy
    D) Justice
    Answer: B) Nonmaleficence
  2. Which ethical principle emphasizes the right of patients to make their own healthcare decisions?
    A) Beneficence
    B) Nonmaleficence
    C) Autonomy
    D) Fidelity
    Answer: C) Autonomy
  3. What is the primary focus of the principle of beneficence in nursing practice?
    A) Respecting patient privacy
    B) Promoting the well-being of patients
    C) Avoiding harm to patients
    D) Distributing resources fairly
    Answer: B) Promoting the well-being of patients
  4. Which of the following actions best demonstrates the principle of justice in nursing?
    A) Providing equal care to all patients regardless of their socioeconomic status
    B) Avoiding harm while administering medication
    C) Ensuring patient confidentiality
    D) Encouraging patients to participate in decision-making
    Answer: A) Providing equal care to all patients regardless of their socioeconomic status
  5. What is the ethical concept that involves keeping promises and being honest with patients?
    A) Autonomy
    B) Fidelity
    C) Nonmaleficence
    D) Justice
    Answer: B) Fidelity
  6. Which ethical dilemma involves a conflict between a nurse’s personal beliefs and their professional obligations?
    A) Moral distress
    B) Moral residue
    C) Ethical principle
    D) Informed consent
    Answer: A) Moral distress
  7. Which of the following is a key component of informed consent in nursing practice?
    A) The patient’s ability to make a decision
    B) The nurse’s personal opinion about the treatment
    C) The cost of the treatment
    D) The patient’s family’s preferences
    Answer: A) The patient’s ability to make a decision
  8. What is the ethical concern when a nurse is asked to perform a procedure outside their scope of practice?
    A) Beneficence
    B) Nonmaleficence
    C) Autonomy
    D) Competence
    Answer: D) Competence
  9. In which situation is the principle of confidentiality most relevant?
    A) When discussing a patient’s condition with other healthcare providers
    B) When providing information to a patient’s family without consent
    C) When sharing patient details in a public setting
    D) When maintaining a patient’s health records securely
    Answer: D) When maintaining a patient’s health records securely
  10. What is the role of ethical codes in nursing practice?
    A) To establish legal requirements for nursing practice
    B) To provide guidelines for making ethical decisions
    C) To dictate specific treatment protocols
    D) To manage healthcare costs
    Answer: B) To provide guidelines for making ethical decisions
  11. Which ethical principle requires a nurse to advocate for the best interests of patients, even when it conflicts with their own interests?
    A) Autonomy
    B) Fidelity
    C) Nonmaleficence
    D) Beneficence
    Answer: D) Beneficence
  12. How should a nurse handle a situation where they suspect a colleague is engaging in unethical behavior?
    A) Ignore the behavior if it doesn’t directly impact patient care
    B) Report the behavior to the appropriate authority or supervisor
    C) Discuss the behavior with the colleague privately
    D) Document the behavior and wait for further evidence
    Answer: B) Report the behavior to the appropriate authority or supervisor
  13. Which concept involves balancing the benefits of a treatment against its risks and potential harms?
    A) Autonomy
    B) Beneficence
    C) Justice
    D) Risk-benefit analysis
    Answer: D) Risk-benefit analysis
  14. What should a nurse do if a patient refuses a recommended treatment?
    A) Ignore the refusal and proceed with the treatment
    B) Persuade the patient to accept the treatment
    C) Respect the patient’s decision and document the refusal
    D) Consult with the patient’s family to override the refusal
    Answer: C) Respect the patient’s decision and document the refusal
  15. What is the primary ethical issue involved in end-of-life care decisions?
    A) Cost of care
    B) Patient autonomy and informed consent
    C) Hospital policies
    D) Nurse’s personal beliefs
    Answer: B) Patient autonomy and informed consent
  16. Which of the following best describes the ethical principle of veracity?
    A) Ensuring patient safety
    B) Providing truthful and honest information
    C) Acting in the best interest of the patient
    D) Distributing resources equitably
    Answer: B) Providing truthful and honest information

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