Q.1 Which principle requires a psychiatric nurse to respect a patient's right to make their own decisions?
Beneficence
Autonomy
Nonmaleficence
Justice
Explanation - Autonomy refers to respecting a patient's right to make informed choices about their own care.
Correct answer is: Autonomy
Q.2 What is the primary legal document that allows a nurse to provide care to a patient?
Consent form
Incident report
Treatment plan
Discharge summary
Explanation - A consent form legally authorizes the nurse and healthcare team to provide care to the patient.
Correct answer is: Consent form
Q.3 A psychiatric nurse observes abuse in a patient’s family. What is the nurse’s ethical duty?
Ignore it
Report it to authorities
Confront the family
Advise the patient to move out
Explanation - Nurses have a legal and ethical duty to report suspected abuse to protect vulnerable patients.
Correct answer is: Report it to authorities
Q.4 Which ethical principle obliges nurses to do good for their patients?
Nonmaleficence
Beneficence
Autonomy
Veracity
Explanation - Beneficence requires nurses to act in ways that promote the well-being of patients.
Correct answer is: Beneficence
Q.5 In psychiatric nursing, breaking confidentiality is legally justified when:
The patient requests it
There is a risk of harm to self or others
The nurse wants to discuss with colleagues
The family asks for information
Explanation - Confidentiality can be breached if there is imminent danger to the patient or others, to prevent harm.
Correct answer is: There is a risk of harm to self or others
Q.6 Which legal concept protects nurses from being sued when providing emergency care without consent?
Good Samaritan Law
HIPAA
Patient Rights Act
Nursing Code of Ethics
Explanation - Good Samaritan laws protect healthcare providers giving emergency care in good faith from legal liability.
Correct answer is: Good Samaritan Law
Q.7 The principle of nonmaleficence in psychiatric nursing means:
Promote patient welfare
Do no harm
Respect patient choices
Maintain justice
Explanation - Nonmaleficence obliges nurses to avoid actions that could harm patients.
Correct answer is: Do no harm
Q.8 A nurse administers medication without patient consent. This may be considered:
Beneficence
Negligence
Assault
Justice
Explanation - Administering medication without consent is legally considered assault unless the patient is unable to consent and it is an emergency.
Correct answer is: Assault
Q.9 Which legal principle ensures fair treatment and allocation of psychiatric resources?
Justice
Autonomy
Veracity
Beneficence
Explanation - Justice requires equitable treatment and fair distribution of healthcare resources.
Correct answer is: Justice
Q.10 Veracity in psychiatric nursing refers to:
Avoiding harm
Being truthful with patients
Respecting autonomy
Following hospital rules
Explanation - Veracity obliges nurses to provide honest and accurate information to patients.
Correct answer is: Being truthful with patients
Q.11 Which type of consent is given by a patient after being fully informed of risks and benefits?
Implied consent
Informed consent
Verbal consent
Proxy consent
Explanation - Informed consent is obtained after providing comprehensive information about the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives.
Correct answer is: Informed consent
Q.12 Involuntary admission of a psychiatric patient must be based on:
Patient's financial status
Risk of harm to self or others
Family requests
Doctor’s convenience
Explanation - Legal frameworks allow involuntary admission when the patient poses imminent danger to self or others.
Correct answer is: Risk of harm to self or others
Q.13 A psychiatric nurse discloses a patient’s HIV status without consent. This is a breach of:
Autonomy
Justice
Confidentiality
Beneficence
Explanation - Revealing personal health information without consent violates the patient’s right to confidentiality.
Correct answer is: Confidentiality
Q.14 Which ethical principle supports advocating for patient rights?
Autonomy
Beneficence
Justice
Fidelity
Explanation - Fidelity involves being faithful to commitments, including advocating for and protecting patient rights.
Correct answer is: Fidelity
Q.15 Restraint or seclusion of psychiatric patients must be:
Used routinely
Legally justified and least restrictive
Used at family request
Applied without documentation
Explanation - Restraints should only be used when necessary, for safety, and with proper documentation and legal justification.
Correct answer is: Legally justified and least restrictive
Q.16 Which principle guides nurses to treat patients impartially regardless of background?
Justice
Autonomy
Nonmaleficence
Beneficence
Explanation - Justice ensures fairness and equity in patient care, regardless of personal or social factors.
Correct answer is: Justice
Q.17 A patient refuses a treatment that is necessary. Respecting their decision demonstrates:
Beneficence
Nonmaleficence
Autonomy
Justice
Explanation - Respecting a patient’s informed decision, even if it may not be in their best interest, honors their autonomy.
Correct answer is: Autonomy
Q.18 Documenting all patient interactions in psychiatric nursing primarily serves:
Legal protection
Patient harm
Staff entertainment
Public relations
Explanation - Accurate documentation provides legal evidence of care and protects nurses against liability.
Correct answer is: Legal protection
Q.19 A nurse discovers a colleague is falsifying patient records. The nurse should:
Ignore it
Confront the colleague
Report to authorities
Fix the records silently
Explanation - Reporting unethical or illegal behavior ensures patient safety and maintains professional integrity.
Correct answer is: Report to authorities
Q.20 The principle of beneficence may conflict with autonomy when:
Patient refuses a life-saving treatment
Nurse follows the law
Patient consents to therapy
Nurse documents care
Explanation - Beneficence urges the nurse to do good, but respecting patient autonomy may require honoring refusal of treatment.
Correct answer is: Patient refuses a life-saving treatment
Q.21 HIPAA regulations in psychiatric nursing primarily protect:
Patient confidentiality
Staff schedules
Hospital finances
Medication administration
Explanation - HIPAA establishes national standards for protecting the privacy of individually identifiable health information.
Correct answer is: Patient confidentiality
Q.22 Which of the following is an ethical dilemma in psychiatric nursing?
Deciding between respecting autonomy and preventing harm
Administering routine medication
Documenting vital signs
Providing general health education
Explanation - An ethical dilemma arises when two ethical principles conflict, such as autonomy vs. beneficence.
Correct answer is: Deciding between respecting autonomy and preventing harm
Q.23 Which document outlines professional responsibilities and ethical standards for psychiatric nurses?
Nursing Code of Ethics
Patient Consent Form
Incident Report
Discharge Summary
Explanation - The Nursing Code of Ethics provides guidance on professional conduct, responsibilities, and ethical standards.
Correct answer is: Nursing Code of Ethics
Q.24 A psychiatric nurse must prioritize patient safety over:
Patient autonomy in emergencies
Following hospital policy
Documenting care
Promoting justice
Explanation - In emergencies, ensuring safety may temporarily override autonomy to prevent immediate harm.
Correct answer is: Patient autonomy in emergencies