1. If a nurse cannot understand a written order directed by a physician he/she should:
A. interview the physician to determine his/her value system
B. review the institutional policy regarding collaborative ethical decision making
C. contact the physician to clarify the order
D. consult with the patient to try to determine how past history may lend insight into the order

2. A guide for ethical decision making should include:
A. obtaining the Patient Bill of Rights, determining hospital teleology and review of the hospital policy manual regarding ethical decisions
B. gathering data, identifying participants, determining moral perspectives and deserved outcomes, options, and choices
C. incorporating respect for others, fidelity, and autonomy in the evaluation process

3. The definition of ethics is:
A. a collection of behaviors that are in accordance with custom or tradition and reflects personal beliefs
B. a branch of philosophy that concerns the distinction of right from wrong on the basis of a body of knowledge
C. a conflict between two or more ethical principles that exclude opinions

Answers to Study Questions

1. C. Nurses have a moral, ethical, and legal responsibility to understand all orders. When in doubt, the physician who wrote the order should be contacted for clarification.

2. B. Nurses may be confronted with ethical decisions. The main points regarding a guide for ethical decision making are:
? Gather data and identify conflicting moral claims
? Identify key participants
? Determine moral perspective and phase of moral development of key participants
? Determine desired outcomes
? Identify options
? Act on the choice
? Evaluate outcomes of action

3. B. The most important concept behind ethics is the determination between right and wrong. It is not based upon opinion but upon knowledge and or facts.