Ethics & Accountability
What is the purpose for the Nursing Code Of Ethics?
What is the foundation for the nursing profession describing the core values, duties, and commitments to patients and society.
A patient becomes tearful after receiving a new diagnosis. Instead of immediately giving advice, the nurse sits beside them and listens. What nursing skill is being demonstrated?
What is active listening or therapeutic communication?
This standardized communication tool stands is used to provide a concise and structured framework for communicating critical information.
What is SBAR
A nurse experiences distress when institutional restrictions prevent them from providing care they believe is ethically appropriate. What is this experience called?
What is moral distress?
A patient speaks limited English and needs education about a new medication. What should the nurse use to support understanding?
What is an interpreter
A nurse notices that she gave the wrong dose of the medication, but fears the consequences. What professional value requires the nurse to take responsibility, report the error, and prioritize patient safety?
What is accountability
A patient frequently misses follow-up appointments because they lack reliable transportation. What broader category of factors affecting health does this represent?
What are social determinants of health (SDOH)?
The nurse notices the team is about to start a procedure without a time-out and says, “I’m concerned, I’m uncomfortable, this is a safety issue.”
What is CUS
A nurse practices remaining present and aware of thoughts and emotions without immediately judging them. What stress-management technique is being used?
What is mindfulness?
A nurse asks a patient to explain medication instructions in their own words to confirm understanding. What patient education strategy is being used?
What is the teach-back method?
A nurse keeps a patient's medical information private and does not share it with people who are not involved in their care. What ethical responsibility is the nurse demonstrating?
What is Confidentiality
A nurse ensures patients receive equitable treatment regardless of their income, race, religion, or social background. Which ethical principle is being demonstrated?
What is justice?
The nurse, provider, pharmacist, and therapist meet daily to plan a patient’s care together.
What are interprofessional (interdisciplinary) rounds?
A nurse repeatedly accepts additional shifts despite exhaustion but eventually recognizes that continuing could compromise patient safety. What self-care practice involves recognizing and respecting personal limits?
What is setting healthy boundaries?
A nurse recognizes that unconscious stereotypes may influence their interactions with patients, even without intentional prejudice. What concept describes these unconscious attitudes?
What is implicit bias?
A provider orders a medication dose that appears dangerously high. The nurse is told to administer it anyway. What should the nurse do?
Hold the medication, clarify the order, and escalate the safety concern if it remains unresolved.
A nurse notices that hospital discharge policies create barriers for patients experiencing homelessness. What type of inequity exists when organizational structures disadvantage certain populations?
What is systemic inequity?
Right task, right circumstance, right person, right directions and communication, right supervision.
What are the five rights of delegation?
Following a difficult clinical experience, a nurse evaluates personal reactions, identifies areas for improvement, and considers how to approach similar situations differently. What professional growth process is demonstrated?
What is reflective practice?
A nurse considers how a patient's race, gender, disability, and socioeconomic background may overlap and influence their healthcare experiences. What concept describes these interconnected social identities?
What is intersectionality?
What is provision 4 in the Nursing Code Of Ethics?
Nurses have authority, accountability, and responsibility for their own nursing practice.
A nurse advocates for legislation that improves access to healthcare for underserved communities. What type of advocacy extends beyond individual patient care?
What is policy advocacy?
During a code, the provider says, “Give 1 mg epinephrine IV.” The nurse responds, “Giving 1 mg epinephrine IV,” and then says, “1 mg epinephrine given.” This communication technique makes sure orders are heard and carried out correctly.
What is closed-loop communication?
Emotional and physical exhaustion from repeatedly caring for patients who are suffering, which reduces the ability to empathize.
What is compassion fatigue?
A nursing student reflects on personal values, develops professional responsibilities, and gradually begins to think, act, and identify as a nurse. What developmental process is occurring?
What is professional identity formation?