Q.1 Which principle emphasizes respecting a patient's right to make their own healthcare decisions?
Beneficence
Autonomy
Non-maleficence
Justice
Explanation - Autonomy refers to the ethical principle that patients have the right to make decisions about their own health care.
Correct answer is: Autonomy
Q.2 A nurse discovers a medication error that could harm a patient. Ethically, what should the nurse do first?
Ignore it
Report it immediately
Ask a colleague for advice
Wait to see if harm occurs
Explanation - Reporting errors promptly is essential to prevent harm and maintain patient safety, consistent with ethical and legal obligations.
Correct answer is: Report it immediately
Q.3 Confidentiality in oncology nursing primarily protects:
Patient's financial information
Patient's personal health information
Nurse's personal information
Hospital policies
Explanation - Maintaining confidentiality ensures that sensitive patient information is not disclosed without consent, respecting privacy and legal regulations.
Correct answer is: Patient's personal health information
Q.4 Informed consent is legally required because it ensures that:
The hospital avoids blame
Patients understand and agree to treatment risks and benefits
Nurses can administer treatments faster
Doctors do not have to explain procedures
Explanation - Informed consent protects patient autonomy and is a legal requirement for medical procedures, ensuring patients are aware of risks and benefits.
Correct answer is: Patients understand and agree to treatment risks and benefits
Q.5 The principle of non-maleficence in oncology nursing means:
Do good for patients
Do no harm to patients
Treat all patients equally
Ensure patient autonomy
Explanation - Non-maleficence is the ethical obligation to avoid causing harm to patients.
Correct answer is: Do no harm to patients
Q.6 Which legal document outlines a patient's wishes for end-of-life care?
HIPAA form
Advance directive
Nursing care plan
Prescription form
Explanation - An advance directive allows patients to express their wishes regarding medical care if they become unable to communicate.
Correct answer is: Advance directive
Q.7 If a patient refuses chemotherapy, the nurse should:
Ignore the refusal
Respect the patient's decision
Force the treatment
Consult hospital administration to override
Explanation - Respecting patient autonomy is essential, even if the nurse disagrees with the patient's decision.
Correct answer is: Respect the patient's decision
Q.8 Reporting suspected abuse of a patient is an example of which ethical principle?
Justice
Beneficence
Veracity
Non-maleficence
Explanation - Beneficence involves acting in the best interest of the patient, including protecting them from harm.
Correct answer is: Beneficence
Q.9 HIPAA regulations in oncology nursing primarily protect:
Nurse employment records
Patient medical records
Hospital finances
Research data only
Explanation - HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) safeguards patient health information from unauthorized access or disclosure.
Correct answer is: Patient medical records
Q.10 A nurse witnessing a colleague giving incorrect chemotherapy doses should:
Confront the colleague privately
Report to supervisor immediately
Ignore it if patient seems fine
Record it in personal notes only
Explanation - Prompt reporting ensures patient safety and compliance with legal and ethical obligations.
Correct answer is: Report to supervisor immediately
Q.11 Which principle requires fair distribution of healthcare resources in oncology?
Justice
Autonomy
Beneficence
Fidelity
Explanation - Justice in healthcare ethics refers to fairness in the allocation of resources, treatments, and care.
Correct answer is: Justice
Q.12 Ethical dilemmas in oncology often arise due to:
Limited resources and conflicting patient wishes
Lack of nursing education
Simple treatment procedures
Routine hospital policies
Explanation - Dilemmas occur when ethical principles conflict, such as balancing patient autonomy with limited resources or life-prolonging treatments.
Correct answer is: Limited resources and conflicting patient wishes
Q.13 Veracity in oncology nursing refers to:
Truthfulness in communication with patients
Avoiding patient suffering
Providing equal care
Following hospital rules strictly
Explanation - Veracity means being honest with patients regarding diagnoses, treatments, and prognoses.
Correct answer is: Truthfulness in communication with patients
Q.14 A DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order is an example of:
Advance directive
HIPAA violation
Medication error
Legal negligence
Explanation - A DNR is a legal document that communicates a patient’s wishes regarding resuscitation in emergencies.
Correct answer is: Advance directive
Q.15 Sharing patient information with unauthorized personnel is a violation of:
Autonomy
Beneficence
Confidentiality
Justice
Explanation - Confidentiality requires that patient information is kept private and only shared with authorized individuals.
Correct answer is: Confidentiality
Q.16 Which legal concept protects nurses from liability when following physician orders but harm occurs?
Negligence
Standard of care
Good Samaritan law
Informed consent
Explanation - Good Samaritan laws protect healthcare providers from liability when acting in good faith during emergencies or standard care.
Correct answer is: Good Samaritan law
Q.17 If a patient asks for information about experimental treatments, the nurse should:
Provide accurate, evidence-based information
Refuse due to ethical concerns
Discourage participation
Give personal opinions only
Explanation - Nurses have an ethical duty to provide truthful and relevant information to support informed patient decisions.
Correct answer is: Provide accurate, evidence-based information
Q.18 A nurse respecting cultural beliefs while providing care demonstrates:
Autonomy
Cultural competence
Non-maleficence
Fidelity
Explanation - Cultural competence is the ability to provide care that respects the patient’s cultural values, beliefs, and preferences.
Correct answer is: Cultural competence
Q.19 Fidelity in nursing ethics refers to:
Loyalty and keeping promises to patients
Avoiding harm
Allocating resources fairly
Being truthful
Explanation - Fidelity involves maintaining trust and keeping commitments made to patients.
Correct answer is: Loyalty and keeping promises to patients
Q.20 Which action is legally required if a nurse suspects a patient is being abused?
Document only
Report to authorities immediately
Discuss with family first
Ignore until confirmed
Explanation - Mandatory reporting laws require healthcare professionals to report suspected abuse to protect vulnerable patients.
Correct answer is: Report to authorities immediately
Q.21 A nurse participating in an oncology clinical trial must ensure:
Patient understands risks and consents voluntarily
Hospital profits are maximized
All experimental treatments are given
Information is kept from patients
Explanation - Ethical research requires informed consent and that participation is voluntary with full disclosure of risks.
Correct answer is: Patient understands risks and consents voluntarily
Q.22 Negligence in nursing is best defined as:
Intentional harm to a patient
Failure to provide reasonable care resulting in harm
Following orders correctly
Documenting care accurately
Explanation - Negligence occurs when a nurse fails to meet the standard of care, causing patient harm.
Correct answer is: Failure to provide reasonable care resulting in harm
Q.23 Ethical decision-making in oncology often requires balancing:
Patient wishes and clinical judgment
Hospital revenue and staffing
Nursing preferences only
Treatment protocols strictly
Explanation - Nurses must weigh patient autonomy against clinical considerations to make ethically sound decisions.
Correct answer is: Patient wishes and clinical judgment
Q.24 The nurse's duty to report unsafe staffing or practices falls under which principle?
Beneficence
Justice
Non-maleficence
Veracity
Explanation - By reporting unsafe practices, nurses prevent harm to patients, fulfilling the principle of non-maleficence.
Correct answer is: Non-maleficence
Q.25 Which scenario exemplifies ethical conflict in oncology nursing?
Patient refuses treatment that may extend life
Routine vital signs assessment
Administering prescribed medication
Documenting patient care
Explanation - Ethical conflicts often occur when patient autonomy conflicts with the nurse's desire to provide beneficial treatment.
Correct answer is: Patient refuses treatment that may extend life