Free Practice Quiz Question List

04 Safety, Ethics, and Legal Practice Online Quiz Questions

Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 04 Safety, Ethics, and Legal Practice, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.

20 questions

True or false

1 point

True or false: A mental health diagnosis by itself establishes that a patient lacks decision-making capacity.

A
True
B
False

Choose one

1 point

A nurse is asked to perform an action that appears to be outside the nurse’s authorized scope. What is the most appropriate response?

A
Proceed because the assignment came from a supervisor.
B
Seek clarification and use the appropriate chain of communication.
C
Ask a coworker to perform the action without notifying anyone.
D
Document the concern after completing the action.

Written response

1 point

Which ethical principle is most directly reflected when a nurse respects a patient’s informed choice among reasonable care options?

Choose one

1 point

A nurse is coordinating treatment with another provider. Which statement about sharing protected health information under HIPAA is accurate?

A
Every disclosure of health information requires the patient’s separate authorization.
B
The minimum-necessary rule applies to every disclosure, including provider-to-provider disclosures for treatment.
C
Protected health information may generally be shared among providers for treatment without separate authorization.
D
Mental health information is not protected by HIPAA.

Fill in the blank

1 point

A valid consent decision generally requires relevant information, , , and decision-making capacity.

Choose all

1 point

A nurse is preparing to coordinate care while protecting a patient’s privacy. Select all appropriate safeguards.

A
Discuss the patient’s care in a private setting.
B
Verify the recipient’s identity and authority before sharing information.
C
Share details with family members automatically if they ask.
D
Access only records needed for your role.
E
Secure screens and devices.
F
Avoid patient-identifying details in public or on social media.

Written response

1 point

What specific category of separately maintained mental health professional notes receives special HIPAA protections and is distinct from ordinary clinical records?

True or false

1 point

True or false: A patient’s family member may automatically participate in care planning because of the family relationship, even when the patient has not agreed and no legal permission applies.

A
True
B
False

Choose one

1 point

A patient refuses a proposed treatment. Which response best respects the patient’s rights while supporting safe care?

A
Tell the patient that refusing treatment is not allowed.
B
Ask the patient to sign a refusal form and end the discussion.
C
Proceed with treatment because the nurse believes it is beneficial.
D
Explore the patient’s understanding and concerns, notify the responsible clinician, and document the discussion and follow-up.

Choose all

1 point

A nurse is helping a patient prepare to decide about a proposed intervention. Select all topics that should be covered in the informed-consent discussion.

A
The intervention’s purpose.
B
Expected benefits and material risks.
C
Reasonable alternatives.
D
A guarantee that the intervention will succeed.
E
The option of declining.

Fill in the blank

1 point

Shared decision-making combines with the patient’s .

Choose one

1 point

A nurse believes a serious safety threat may trigger an exception to confidentiality. What is the most appropriate next step?

A
Share the entire clinical record with anyone who might help.
B
Follow applicable law and policy, consult a supervisor or privacy officer as needed, and disclose only what is permitted and necessary.
C
Promise the patient that no information will ever be disclosed.
D
Post a warning online without identifying the patient by name.

Open ended

1 point

A patient is worried about medication side effects and is unsure whether to continue the current plan. Describe how the nurse can support collaborative decision-making and follow-up.

True or false

1 point

True or false: When immediate danger is suspected, the nurse should follow emergency procedures, communicate clearly with the team, and use the least restrictive safe response consistent with law and policy.

A
True
B
False

Choose one

1 point

A patient is assessed as unable to make a particular treatment decision at this time. How should the nurse support the decision-making process?

A
Exclude the patient from all further discussions.
B
Ask any available family member to make the decision.
C
Follow applicable rules for the authorized surrogate and involve the patient as much as possible.
D
Assume the diagnosis determines who may make the decision.

Written response

1 point

Which ethical principle calls for fair, nondiscriminatory care?

Written response

1 point

Which ethical principle involves keeping professional commitments?

Choose one

1 point

A patient refuses a proposed treatment. Which response best follows the nurse’s responsibilities?

A
Tell the patient that refusal is not permitted and proceed with the treatment.
B
Explore the patient’s understanding and concerns, notify the responsible clinician, and document the discussion and follow-up.
C
Ask a family member to make the decision without checking what the patient permits or what law allows.
D
End the discussion and take no further action because the patient has refused.

Choose one

1 point

A patient with a mental health diagnosis declines a proposed treatment. The nurse is unsure whether the patient understands this particular decision. What is the best approach?

A
Assume the patient lacks capacity because a mental health diagnosis is present.
B
Treat an unusual belief as proof that the patient cannot make any decisions.
C
Assess capacity for the specific decision and involve the appropriate clinician if uncertain.
D
Wait until the patient’s diagnosis changes before discussing capacity.

Choose one

1 point

A patient who can make the decision refuses a recommended treatment. Which nursing response best respects the patient’s rights while supporting safe care?

A
Explore the patient’s understanding and concerns, share clear information within the nurse’s role, notify the responsible clinician, and document the discussion.
B
Persuade the patient to accept treatment before notifying the clinician.
C
Ask a family member to override the refusal, regardless of the patient’s permission or applicable law.
D
Record only that treatment was refused and take no further action.