Chapter 11 Flashcards
Which of the following is an example of a conscientious objection?
a. A nurse refuses to care for a homosexual patient.
b. A nurse refuses to care for a cocaine-addicted patient.
c. A nurse refuses to assist in an abortion.
d. A nurse refuses to care for patients of the opposite sex.
ANS: C
Correct C: This would be considered a conscientious objection. As long as the procedure is not an emergency, the nurse does not have to participate in a procedure or provide care that she finds objectionable on moral or religious grounds. In order to avoid such situations, it is important that the nurse makes her moral or religious position known to her employer in advance. However, the nurse cannot refuse to care for a patient who has had an abortion.
Incorrect A: This is not an example of a conscientious objection. Refusing to care for a patient on the basis of sexual orientation would be considered discrimination and contradict the ethical principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence and of the nurse’s professional duties and responsibilities.
Incorrect B: This is not an example of a conscientious objection. Refusing to care for a patient on the basis of the patient’s behaviour would contradict the ethical principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence and of the nurse’s professional duties and responsibilities.
Incorrect D: This is not an example of a conscientious objection. Refusing to care for a patient on the basis of gender would be considered discrimination and contradict the ethical principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence and of the nurse’s professional duties and responsibilities.
Is it acceptable for a nurse to refuse to care for a SARS patient?
a. It is acceptable because the nurse might become infected with SARS and could then pass the infection on to her family.
b. It is not acceptable because the CNA Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses states that in a natural or human-made disaster, nurses have a duty to provide care to all patients.
c. It is acceptable if appropriate safety precautions are not in place.
d. It is not acceptable because the principle of justice dictates that the SARS patient deserves the same care as everyone else.
ANS: C
Correct C: It may be acceptable for the nurse to refuse to care for the SARS patient if appropriate safety measures and training are not in place. The CNA Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses states that “during a natural or human-made disaster, including a communicable disease outbreak, nurses have a duty to provide care using appropriate safety precautions.” It is the responsibility of the system and organizations to put strategies in place to prevent harm to caregivers in these high-risk situations.
Incorrect A: The chance that the nurse might contract SARS is not a valid reason to refuse to care for the patient.
Incorrect B: This is only partially true.
Incorrect D: This is not true in all circumstances
Which of the following is an indicator of a healthy work environment?
a. Reduced absenteeism
b. Increased staff commitment to the organization
c. High levels of staff satisfaction
d. All of the above
ANS: D
Correct D: All of the above apply. A positive and healthy work culture results in reduced absenteeism, high levels of staff satisfaction, a sustained staff commitment to the organization, and improved ability to attract and retain new employees.
Incorrect A: All of the above apply. A positive and healthy work culture results in reduced absenteeism, high levels of staff satisfaction, a sustained staff commitment to the organization, and improved ability to attract and retain new employees.
Incorrect B: All of the above apply. A positive and healthy work culture results in reduced absenteeism, high levels of staff satisfaction, a sustained staff commitment to the organization, and improved ability to attract and retain new employees.
Incorrect C: All of the above apply. A positive and healthy work culture results in reduced absenteeism, high levels of staff satisfaction, a sustained staff commitment to the organization, and improved ability to attract and retain new employees.
What is the primary purpose of occupational health and safety committees in the workplace?
a. To conform with provincial legislation
b. To protect employees and keep employers from “cutting corners”
c. To identify and recommend solutions to potential workplace hazards
d. To meet collective agreement obligations
ANS: C
Correct C: The primary purpose of workplace occupational health and safety committees is to identify and recommend solutions to potentially hazardous conditions in the workplace.
Incorrect A: Provincial legislation may require the formation of workplace occupational health and safety committees, but the primary purpose of such committees is not to conform with this legislation.
Incorrect B: Protecting employees is an effect of occupational health and safety committees, not the primary purpose.
Incorrect D: Collective agreements may outline requirements for membership on occupational health and safety committees, but meeting these obligations is not the primary purpose of these committees.
Which of the following is an implication of workplace violence?
a. Compromising patient safety
b. Injury and emotional and psychological trauma
c. Impact on retention, absenteeism, morale, and productivity
d. All of the above
ANS: D
Correct D: All of the above are implications of workplace violence. The rights of nurses to be protected from harm in the workplace include having a violence-free work environment.
Incorrect A: All of the above are implications of workplace violence. The rights of nurses to be protected from harm in the workplace include having a violence-free work environment.
Incorrect B: All of the above are implications of workplace violence. The rights of nurses to be protected from harm in the workplace include having a violence-free work environment.
Incorrect C: All of the above are implications of workplace violence. The rights of nurses to be protected from harm in the workplace include having a violence-free work environment.
Which of the following is the most common form of nurse-to-nurse violence?
a. Sexual harassment
b. Nurses “eating their young”
c. Assault
d. Bullying
ANS: D
Correct D: Bullying (behaviour toward others that is intimidating, lacking in respect, coercive, critical, or belittling) and incivility (behaviour toward others that is condescending or insulting, or that seeks to humiliate or ignore the victim) are the most common forms of nurse-to-nurse violence. This type of violence is often underreported.
Incorrect A: Sexual harassment is not the most common form of nurse-to-nurse violence.
Incorrect B: This phrase depicts nurse-to-nurse violence but is not an actual form of violence.
Incorrect C: Assault is not the most common form of nurse-to-nurse violence.
Which of the following strategies has a positive impact on reducing moral distress?
a. Providing mentoring programs
b. Altering the skill mix on inpatient units
c. Increasing the length of nurses’ shifts
d. Increasing the emphasis on justice
ANS: A
Correct A: Moral distress is minimized in environments in which mentorship is provided.
Incorrect B: All skill mixes are susceptible to moral distress.
Incorrect C: Increasing the length of nurses’ shifts has not been shown to have a positive impact on reducing moral distress.
Incorrect D: Justice is an ethical principle but is not directly related to moral distress.
True or False
Home care nurses are expected to deal with additional risk in their jobs because they are sent to unknown environments.
ANS: F
Correct: Home care nurses may encounter additional risk in their jobs because they are sometimes sent to unknown environments, but nurses should not be put in a position of danger without adequate support or security measures. Home care nurses should never go alone to an unknown area or unknown client without some type of safety backup in place. This may include the use of communication or panic-alert devices or working with a colleague. Nurses have the right to refuse unsafe work, and home care agencies will have policies covering employee safety.
Incorrect: This statement is false.
True or False
Moral distress is the state of being convinced of the morally correct action to take but being unable to carry out the action.
ANS: F
Correct: Moral distress is the emotional and psychological pain that results when one is convinced of the morally correct action to take but being unable to carry out the action.
Incorrect: This statement is false.
True or False
The main purpose of collective bargaining is the protection of workers’ rights.
ANS: F
Correct: The main purpose of collective bargaining is the protection of the rights of both the workers and the employer. Collective bargaining involves the rights and obligations of both parties.
Incorrect: This statement is false.
True or False
A common concern of nurses considering a strike vote is based on the ethical principle of nonmaleficence.
ANS: T
Correct: Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle that means to do no harm. Nurses considering strike action do not want any harm to come to their patients and may find that the values of the collective group, in terms of wages and working conditions, are in conflict with the professional values that direct nurses’ care of patients.
Incorrect: This statement is true.
