NCLEX-RN PRACTICE EXAMS WITH
VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A client asks why a diagnostic test has been ordered and the nurse replies, "I'm unsure
but will find out for you." When the nurse later returns and provides an explanation,
the nurse is acting under which principle?
1. Nonmaleficence
2. Veracity
3. Beneficence
4. Fidelity
- ANSWER-Answer: 4
Rationale: Fidelity means being faithful to agreements and promises. This nurse is
acting on the client's behalf to obtain needed information and report it back to the client.
Nonmaleficence is the duty to do no harm. Veracity refers to telling the truth for
example, not lying to a client about a serious prognosis. Beneficence means doing good,
such as by implementing actions (e.g. keeping a salt shaker out of sight) that benefit a
client (heart condition requiring sodium-restricted diet).
Cognitive Level: Understanding
Client Need: Management of Care
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
,Content Area: Fundamentals
Strategy: Use the process of elimination. The correct answer is the one that matches the
description in the stem; that is, the nurse made a promise to a client and kept it, which
constitutes fidelity.
A client is experiencing respiratory distress. Respirations are 32 breaths/min and
shallow. The client is positioned in an orthopneic position, with a heart rate of 118/min
and a blood pressure of 90/40 mmHg. The client is pale and confused. Which task
should the nurse delegate to the charge nurse?
1. Head-to-toe assessment
2. Placement of a second IV site
3. Application of oxygen
4. Overhead page the respiratory therapist (RT)
- ANSWER-Answer:
Rationale:
Cognitive Level:
Client Need:
Integrated Process:
Content Area:
Strategy:
A client is referred to a surgeon by the general practitioner. After meeting the surgeon,
the client decides to find a different surgeon to continue treatment. The nurse supports
the client's action, utilizing which ethical principle?
1. Beneficence
2. Veracity
3. Autonomy
, 4. Privacy
- ANSWER-Answer: 3
Rationale: Autonomy is the right of individuals to take action for themselves.
Beneficence is an ethical principle to do good and applies when the nurse has a city to
help others by doing what is best for them. Veracity refers to truthfulness. Privacy is the
nondisclosure of information by the health care team.
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Management of Care
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
Content Area: Fundamentals
Strategy: The core issue of the question is the ability to interpret which ethical principle
is operating in a specific situation. Eliminate beneficence and veracity next because they
focus on the obligation of the nurse rather than on a right of the client.
A client with cancer has decided to discontinue further treatment. Although the nurse
would like the client to continue treatment, the nurse recognizes the client is competent
and supports the client's decision using which ethical principle?
1. Justice
2. Fidelity
3. Autonomy
4. Confidentiality
- ANSWER-Answer: 3
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the right make one's own decisions, which is the
principle supported in this situation. Justice refers to fairness. Fidelity refers to trust and
loyalty. Confidentiality refers to the right to privacy of personal health information.
Cognitive Level: Understanding
Client Need: Management of Care
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A client asks why a diagnostic test has been ordered and the nurse replies, "I'm unsure
but will find out for you." When the nurse later returns and provides an explanation,
the nurse is acting under which principle?
1. Nonmaleficence
2. Veracity
3. Beneficence
4. Fidelity
- ANSWER-Answer: 4
Rationale: Fidelity means being faithful to agreements and promises. This nurse is
acting on the client's behalf to obtain needed information and report it back to the client.
Nonmaleficence is the duty to do no harm. Veracity refers to telling the truth for
example, not lying to a client about a serious prognosis. Beneficence means doing good,
such as by implementing actions (e.g. keeping a salt shaker out of sight) that benefit a
client (heart condition requiring sodium-restricted diet).
Cognitive Level: Understanding
Client Need: Management of Care
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
,Content Area: Fundamentals
Strategy: Use the process of elimination. The correct answer is the one that matches the
description in the stem; that is, the nurse made a promise to a client and kept it, which
constitutes fidelity.
A client is experiencing respiratory distress. Respirations are 32 breaths/min and
shallow. The client is positioned in an orthopneic position, with a heart rate of 118/min
and a blood pressure of 90/40 mmHg. The client is pale and confused. Which task
should the nurse delegate to the charge nurse?
1. Head-to-toe assessment
2. Placement of a second IV site
3. Application of oxygen
4. Overhead page the respiratory therapist (RT)
- ANSWER-Answer:
Rationale:
Cognitive Level:
Client Need:
Integrated Process:
Content Area:
Strategy:
A client is referred to a surgeon by the general practitioner. After meeting the surgeon,
the client decides to find a different surgeon to continue treatment. The nurse supports
the client's action, utilizing which ethical principle?
1. Beneficence
2. Veracity
3. Autonomy
, 4. Privacy
- ANSWER-Answer: 3
Rationale: Autonomy is the right of individuals to take action for themselves.
Beneficence is an ethical principle to do good and applies when the nurse has a city to
help others by doing what is best for them. Veracity refers to truthfulness. Privacy is the
nondisclosure of information by the health care team.
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Management of Care
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
Content Area: Fundamentals
Strategy: The core issue of the question is the ability to interpret which ethical principle
is operating in a specific situation. Eliminate beneficence and veracity next because they
focus on the obligation of the nurse rather than on a right of the client.
A client with cancer has decided to discontinue further treatment. Although the nurse
would like the client to continue treatment, the nurse recognizes the client is competent
and supports the client's decision using which ethical principle?
1. Justice
2. Fidelity
3. Autonomy
4. Confidentiality
- ANSWER-Answer: 3
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the right make one's own decisions, which is the
principle supported in this situation. Justice refers to fairness. Fidelity refers to trust and
loyalty. Confidentiality refers to the right to privacy of personal health information.
Cognitive Level: Understanding
Client Need: Management of Care
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
