In the clinic, a man calmly says he plans to stab his neighbour tonight and asks the nurse to keep this secret. What should she do?

Say she cannot keep it secret and report it at once so the neighbour is protected

Raise it at next week's team meeting

Write it in the notes and act only if he says it again

Keep it secret, as everything a patient says is confidential

A man admitted after a head injury 6 hours ago has a GCS of 14 (confused), keeps asking where he is and is now trying to leave the ward, saying he wants to go home. CT shows a small subdural haematoma. What is the most appropriate nursing action?

Keep him safe and inform the doctor urgently

Allow him to leave if a relative will escort him

Lock him in a side room until he calms down

Let him go home once he signs the AMA form

A 70-year-old diabetic man with a gangrenous foot is alert and oriented and understands the doctor's explanation, but he refuses a below-knee amputation. His sons insist the nurse prepare him for theatre because, they say, the family decides. What should the nurse do?

Respect his refusal and inform the surgeon

Sedate him first to ease his anxiety, as asked

Prepare him, as his sons are his guardians

Get the sons to sign the consent form instead

A patient with advanced cancer has a valid do-not-attempt-resuscitation (DNAR) order. The order means the team will:

Withhold CPR but continue other care

Stop antibiotics, feeding and all active treatment

Attempt CPR only if a family member requests it

Give only comfort care and stop vital sign checks

A competent adult with chest pain tells the nurse he is leaving the hospital now, against medical advice. Which nursing action is correct?

Tell the doctor, explain risks, offer the AMA form

Remove his IV cannula only after the family agrees

Ask security to keep him on the ward until morning

Hold his belongings until the doctor gives permission

Ethics, legal aspects and professional conduct

26 Gulf Prometric RN (DHA, DOH, MOH, SCFHS) practice questions on Ethics, legal aspects and professional conduct, part of Leadership, Ethics and Professional Practice. The first 25 are below; the first 5 with answers and explanations (tap Show answer after you have chosen), the rest in Learn with a free account.

Question 1 · Easy
In the clinic, a man calmly says he plans to stab his neighbour tonight and asks the nurse to keep this secret. What should she do?
1. ARaise it at next week's team meeting
2. BWrite it in the notes and act only if he says it again
3. CKeep it secret, as everything a patient says is confidential
4. DSay she cannot keep it secret and report it at once so the neighbour is protected
Show answerHide answer
Answer: D · Say she cannot keep it secret and report it at once so the neighbour is protected
Confidentiality is a strong duty but not an absolute one. When a patient makes a serious, specific threat against an identifiable person, the duty to protect that person outweighs it. The nurse tells the patient honestly that she cannot keep this promise, reports at once to the doctor and her manager, and follows hospital policy so the police or the person at risk can be warned. Only the information needed to prevent harm is shared, and the disclosure is documented.
- A: A threat for tonight cannot wait for a routine meeting.
- B: Waiting for a repeat threat leaves the neighbour exposed to harm tonight.
- C: A serious threat to a named person is a recognised exception to confidentiality.
Question 2 · Hard
A man admitted after a head injury 6 hours ago has a GCS of 14 (confused), keeps asking where he is and is now trying to leave the ward, saying he wants to go home. CT shows a small subdural haematoma. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
1. AAllow him to leave if a relative will escort him
2. BLock him in a side room until he calms down
3. CLet him go home once he signs the AMA form
4. DKeep him safe and inform the doctor urgently
Show answerHide answer
Answer: D · Keep him safe and inform the doctor urgently
A confused patient with a GCS below 15 who does not know where he is lacks the capacity to decide to leave against medical advice. The nurse acts in his best interests: she stays with him, redirects him calmly and informs the doctor urgently, as worsening confusion may mean a growing haematoma. The doctor assesses capacity and documents the plan. Seclusion is not an acceptable way to manage confusion.
- A: An escort does not make leaving safe or lawful for a patient without capacity.
- B: Locking him alone is unlawful detention and hides deterioration from view.
- C: An AMA form is only valid from a patient who has capacity.
Question 3 · Hard
A 70-year-old diabetic man with a gangrenous foot is alert and oriented and understands the doctor's explanation, but he refuses a below-knee amputation. His sons insist the nurse prepare him for theatre because, they say, the family decides. What should the nurse do?
1. ASedate him first to ease his anxiety, as asked
2. BPrepare him, as his sons are his guardians
3. CRespect his refusal and inform the surgeon
4. DGet the sons to sign the consent form instead
Show answerHide answer
Answer: C · Respect his refusal and inform the surgeon
An adult with decision-making capacity has the right to refuse treatment, even one that could save his life. Family involvement in decisions is valued in Gulf culture, but relatives cannot override the choice of a competent patient. The nurse informs the surgeon, who documents the capacity assessment and the refusal; the team keeps offering information and supports the family. Proceeding would be battery.
- A: Sedating a patient to get past his refusal is battery and unethical.
- B: Adult sons are not legal decision-makers for a competent father.
- D: A relative's signature is not valid consent while the patient has capacity.
Question 4 · Easy
A patient with advanced cancer has a valid do-not-attempt-resuscitation (DNAR) order. The order means the team will:
1. AStop antibiotics, feeding and all active treatment
2. BWithhold CPR but continue other care
3. CAttempt CPR only if a family member requests it
4. DGive only comfort care and stop vital sign checks
Show answerHide answer
Answer: B · Withhold CPR but continue other care
A DNAR order means only that cardiopulmonary resuscitation will not be started if the heart or breathing stops. It does not mean 'do not treat': antibiotics, fluids, analgesia, nursing care and monitoring continue as the care plan states. Other limits, such as no intubation or a move to comfort care, need their own documented decisions. The nurse checks that the order is current and clearly recorded.
- A: A DNAR order alone does not withdraw other treatments.
- C: A valid DNAR order is not reversed by a relative's request at the bedside.
- D: Comfort-only care is a separate decision, and observations are still guided by the plan.
Question 5 · Medium
A competent adult with chest pain tells the nurse he is leaving the hospital now, against medical advice. Which nursing action is correct?
1. ARemove his IV cannula only after the family agrees
2. BTell the doctor, explain risks, offer the AMA form
3. CAsk security to keep him on the ward until morning
4. DHold his belongings until the doctor gives permission
Show answerHide answer
Answer: B · Tell the doctor, explain risks, offer the AMA form
A competent adult has the right to refuse treatment and to leave, so the nurse cannot detain him. She tells the doctor at once, makes sure the risks of leaving are explained, and asks him to sign the hospital's against-medical-advice (AMA) form. If he refuses to sign, she documents the discussion and his refusal. The IV cannula is removed safely before he goes.
- A: A competent adult does not need family approval to leave.
- C: Holding a competent patient against his will is unlawful detention.
- D: Keeping his belongings to stop him leaving can be false imprisonment.
Question 6 · Hard
At 10:00 a nurse realises she set a heparin infusion at 18 mL/h instead of the prescribed 8 mL/h one hour ago. The patient is talking, BP 124/78 mmHg, and has no visible bleeding. Which action comes first?
1. AComplete an incident report before she forgets
2. BTell the patient's family about the error
3. CCorrect the rate and assess the patient for bleeding
4. DInform the charge nurse and wait for advice
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 7 · Medium
After abdominal surgery, an X-ray shows a surgical swab left inside a patient. The fact speaks for itself as evidence of negligence. This legal doctrine is known as:
1. AGood Samaritan doctrine
2. BRespondeat superior
3. CRes ipsa loquitur
4. DLocum tenens
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 8 · Medium
A well-known public figure is admitted to the cardiac unit. A nurse from the surgical ward, who is not caring for him, opens his electronic record out of curiosity. This is best described as:
1. AA breach of confidentiality, even if nothing is shared
2. BAcceptable, since all staff are given system access
3. CA breach only if the details are posted online
4. DAcceptable, provided the record is not printed
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 9 · Medium
A patient with confirmed MERS-CoV infection asks that no one outside the hospital be told. The infection control team notifies the public health authority anyway. This disclosure is:
1. AJustified, as a notifiable disease must be reported
2. BJustified only if his family also agrees to it
3. CA breach, unless his name is removed entirely
4. DA breach, as he did not give written consent
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 10 · Medium
A Muslim woman needs a urinary catheter inserted and asks whether a female nurse can do it. The only nurse free at that moment is male. What is the best response?
1. AArrange a female nurse if one can be found
2. BProceed now with the curtain fully closed
3. CNote in the chart that she declined care
4. DExplain that gender does not matter in care
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 11 · Easy
Which action by a nurse crosses a professional boundary with a patient?
1. AAccepting a thank-you card from the family
2. BHolding a crying patient's hand for a moment
3. CSharing a general fact about her own culture
4. DDating a patient she cared for last week
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 12 · Medium
During a busy night, a doctor phones the ward with a new medication order. To meet the JCI patient safety goal on effective communication, the nurse should:
1. AWrite the order down and read it back to the doctor
2. BAsk a colleague to listen in on the speaker phone
3. CRepeat the drug name aloud, then give the first dose
4. DGive the dose and ask the doctor to sign by morning
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 13 · Medium
A patient falls while walking to the bathroom and has a small skin tear. After caring for him and informing the doctor, which documentation is correct?
1. AWrite "incident report completed" in the nursing notes
2. BPlace a copy of the incident report in the patient file
3. CWrite in the notes that he fell because he was careless
4. DRecord the facts in the notes and file the report separately
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 14 · Easy
A nurse believes a dying patient should now receive comfort care, but she must keep giving the aggressive treatment the family has insisted on. She feels guilty and powerless because she knows what is right but cannot act on it. This experience is called:
1. ABurnout
2. BCompassion fatigue
3. CMoral distress
4. DEthical dilemma
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 15 · Hard
A post-operative patient has HR 128/min, BP 84/50 mmHg and new confusion. The nurse calls the on-call resident, who says he is busy and will come in two hours. The patient's condition worsens. What should the nurse do next?
1. AWait the two hours and record that the doctor was told
2. BCall the resident again every 30 minutes to update
3. CEscalate via the chain of command or rapid response
4. DStart a dopamine infusion from a previous order
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 16 · Easy
A nurse tells a patient in pain that she will come back with his analgesic in 15 minutes, and she returns on time even though the ward is busy. Which ethical principle does this show?
1. AVeracity
2. BNonmaleficence
3. CAutonomy
4. DFidelity
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 17 · Hard
A nurse forgets to raise the bed rails of a sedated patient as the care plan requires. The patient rolls out of bed but is examined and found to have no injury at all. Why would a negligence claim on these facts fail?
1. AThere was no duty of care owed to him
2. BThe rails were the hospital's responsibility
3. CThere was no breach of the standard of care
4. DThere was no harm or damage to the patient
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 18 · Medium
A nurse holds a sincere moral objection to taking part in a planned procedure on her unit. Which action best meets her professional duties?
1. ALeave the patient once the procedure has already begun
2. BTry to persuade the patient to decline the procedure
3. CRefuse at the bedside when the procedure is about to start
4. DTell her manager in advance so care can be reassigned
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 19 · Medium
A colleague asks a nurse to sign the controlled-drug register as witness to the disposal of 50 mg of pethidine. The disposal happened an hour earlier, when the nurse was not present. What should she do?
1. ASign, because the colleague is trustworthy
2. BDecline to sign for what she did not see
3. CSign, and add the time she actually signed
4. DSign, if the empty ampoule is shown to her
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 20 · Medium
A nurse notices that a colleague has posted a photo of an unusual wound on social media. No face or name is shown, but the bed number, ward and date are visible. What should the nurse do?
1. AComment on the post to warn other followers
2. BAsk for it to be removed and report it per policy
3. CShare it with the manager's private chat group
4. DIgnore it, as the patient's name is not shown
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 21 · Medium
An elderly Arabic-speaking woman is to give consent for a procedure, and the nurse speaks no Arabic. Her adult son offers to translate. What should the nurse do?
1. AUse simple English and hand gestures
2. BAsk an Arabic-speaking cleaner to help
3. CArrange a trained medical interpreter
4. DLet the son translate as he offered
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 22 · Hard
A 25-year-old man is brought to the ER unconscious after a road traffic crash, with a GCS of 6 and signs of internal bleeding. The surgeon wants an emergency laparotomy. No relative can be reached and he has no advance directive. What applies to consent?
1. ASurgery must wait until a relative can be contacted
2. BThe police must give consent for an unknown patient
3. CTwo nurses must sign the form on the patient's behalf
4. DImplied consent lets the surgery go ahead
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 23 · Medium
At the start of a day shift, a nurse notices that a colleague smells strongly of alcohol, has slurred speech and is about to collect the medication keys. What is the priority action?
1. AOffer to give her medications for her this shift
2. BTell the charge nurse at once so she is kept from care
3. CTalk to her privately at the end of the shift
4. DWatch her closely and check her medication rounds
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 24 · Easy
A patient asks the nurse directly whether his biopsy result has come back. The nurse answers honestly that it has and that the doctor will discuss it with him this afternoon. This honesty reflects the ethical principle of:
1. AFidelity
2. BVeracity
3. CBeneficence
4. DJustice
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 25 · Medium
A dying patient in severe pain is given increasing morphine doses to control the pain, knowing that the doses may also depress breathing. This is ethically justified by the principle of:
1. ADistributive justice
2. BDouble effect
3. CUtilitarian rationing
4. DPaternalism
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

1 more Ethics, legal aspects and professional conduct questions

Answer them one by one, keep your score and see your weak topics in Learn. Signed-out visitors try 25 per exam; sign in with Google to see them all.

Study Leadership, Ethics and Professional Practice

Ethics, legal aspects and professional conduct

In the clinic, a man calmly says he plans to stab his neighbour tonight and asks the nurse to keep this secret. What should she do?

A man admitted after a head injury 6 hours ago has a GCS of 14 (confused), keeps asking where he is and is now trying to leave the ward, saying he wants to go home. CT shows a small subdural haematoma. What is the most appropriate nursing action?

A 70-year-old diabetic man with a gangrenous foot is alert and oriented and understands the doctor's explanation, but he refuses a below-knee amputation. His sons insist the nurse prepare him for theatre because, they say, the family decides. What should the nurse do?

A patient with advanced cancer has a valid do-not-attempt-resuscitation (DNAR) order. The order means the team will:

A competent adult with chest pain tells the nurse he is leaving the hospital now, against medical advice. Which nursing action is correct?

At 10:00 a nurse realises she set a heparin infusion at 18 mL/h instead of the prescribed 8 mL/h one hour ago. The patient is talking, BP 124/78 mmHg, and has no visible bleeding. Which action comes first?

After abdominal surgery, an X-ray shows a surgical swab left inside a patient. The fact speaks for itself as evidence of negligence. This legal doctrine is known as:

A well-known public figure is admitted to the cardiac unit. A nurse from the surgical ward, who is not caring for him, opens his electronic record out of curiosity. This is best described as:

A patient with confirmed MERS-CoV infection asks that no one outside the hospital be told. The infection control team notifies the public health authority anyway. This disclosure is:

A Muslim woman needs a urinary catheter inserted and asks whether a female nurse can do it. The only nurse free at that moment is male. What is the best response?

Which action by a nurse crosses a professional boundary with a patient?

During a busy night, a doctor phones the ward with a new medication order. To meet the JCI patient safety goal on effective communication, the nurse should:

A patient falls while walking to the bathroom and has a small skin tear. After caring for him and informing the doctor, which documentation is correct?

A nurse believes a dying patient should now receive comfort care, but she must keep giving the aggressive treatment the family has insisted on. She feels guilty and powerless because she knows what is right but cannot act on it. This experience is called:

A post-operative patient has HR 128/min, BP 84/50 mmHg and new confusion. The nurse calls the on-call resident, who says he is busy and will come in two hours. The patient's condition worsens. What should the nurse do next?

A nurse tells a patient in pain that she will come back with his analgesic in 15 minutes, and she returns on time even though the ward is busy. Which ethical principle does this show?

A nurse forgets to raise the bed rails of a sedated patient as the care plan requires. The patient rolls out of bed but is examined and found to have no injury at all. Why would a negligence claim on these facts fail?

A nurse holds a sincere moral objection to taking part in a planned procedure on her unit. Which action best meets her professional duties?

A colleague asks a nurse to sign the controlled-drug register as witness to the disposal of 50 mg of pethidine. The disposal happened an hour earlier, when the nurse was not present. What should she do?

A nurse notices that a colleague has posted a photo of an unusual wound on social media. No face or name is shown, but the bed number, ward and date are visible. What should the nurse do?

An elderly Arabic-speaking woman is to give consent for a procedure, and the nurse speaks no Arabic. Her adult son offers to translate. What should the nurse do?

A 25-year-old man is brought to the ER unconscious after a road traffic crash, with a GCS of 6 and signs of internal bleeding. The surgeon wants an emergency laparotomy. No relative can be reached and he has no advance directive. What applies to consent?

At the start of a day shift, a nurse notices that a colleague smells strongly of alcohol, has slurred speech and is about to collect the medication keys. What is the priority action?

A patient asks the nurse directly whether his biopsy result has come back. The nurse answers honestly that it has and that the doctor will discuss it with him this afternoon. This honesty reflects the ethical principle of:

A dying patient in severe pain is given increasing morphine doses to control the pain, knowing that the doses may also depress breathing. This is ethically justified by the principle of: