Question

Which of the following situations is most clearly a violation of the underlying principles associated with professional nursing ethics?

a. A hospital's policy permits use of internal fetal monitoring during labor. However, there is literature to both support and refute the value of this practice.
b. When asked about the purpose of a medication, a nurse colleague responds, "Oh, i never look them up. I just give what is prescribed."
c. The nurses on the unit agree to sponsor a fund-raising event to support a labor strike proposed by fellow nurses at another facility.
d. A client reports that he didn't quite tell the doctor the truth when asked if he was following his therapeutic diet at home.

Answer 1

The most clear violation of nursing ethics is the situation where a nurse admits to administering medications without understanding their purpose, compromising patient autonomy, nonmaleficence, and informed consent.

Step-by-step explanation:

Which of the following situations is most clearly a violation of the underlying principles associated with professional nursing ethics? The situation where a colleague admits to administering medications without understanding their purpose ("Oh, I never look them up. I just give what is prescribed.") is a direct violation of nursing ethics, specifically the principles of autonomy, nonmaleficence, and informed consent. Nursing professionals are obligated to understand the treatments they provide, ensure they do not harm patients, and inform and educate them about their care. Not knowing the purpose of a medication could lead to harm if administered inappropriately and fails to provide patients with information necessary to make informed decisions about their treatment.