12,241 verified 4-option questions Double-checked by independent solution

NCLEX-RN Ethical practice practice questions

4 questions · answers open · no sign-up

These are original practice items written to the NCLEX-RN blueprint (4 options, no penalty for wrong answers), not actual exam questions. Try each one before you open the answer.

What this topic covers

Ethical practice sits inside the Management of Care category of the NCLEX-RN. Our bank holds 38 verified items tagged to it, and the 4 below are a fixed sample so the page stays the same every time you open it. Each one shows the reasoning, not just the letter.

The topic tag comes from our own items rather than from a published syllabus, so treat it as a map of what we cover. For the official category breakdown see the NCLEX-RN page.

Ethical practice sample questions

Question 1

A nurse is caring for a 34-year-old client who is 28 weeks pregnant and has been diagnosed with severe preeclampsia. The client refuses magnesium sulfate therapy because of fear of side effects. The nurse explains the risks of untreated preeclampsia, but the client continues to refuse. Which action by the nurse demonstrates ethical practice?

  1. A Administer the magnesium sulfate covertly in the IV fluids to protect the fetus
  2. B Document the refusal, notify the provider, and continue to monitor the client
  3. C Restrain the client and administer the medication to prevent seizures
  4. D Call the ethics committee to obtain a court order for treatment
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is to document the refusal, notify the provider, and continue to monitor the client. Ethical practice respects the client's autonomy and right to refuse treatment, even when the nurse disagrees. Administering the medication covertly (the option "Administer the magnesium sulfate covertly in the IV fluids to protect the fetus" violates the client's right to informed consent and is unethical and illegal. Calling the ethics committee for a court order (the option "Call the ethics committee to obtain a court order for treatment" is premature; the nurse should first notify the provider, who may discuss further or seek a legal opinion. Restraining the client (the option "Restrain the client and administer the medication to prevent seizures" is battery and a violation of ethical principles; it is not justified without a court order and immediate danger.

Question 2

A 45-year-old client with a diagnosis of testicular cancer refuses recommended chemotherapy after a full explanation of the risks and benefits by the oncologist. The client's spouse asks the nurse to convince the client to accept treatment. Which response by the nurse is most consistent with ethical nursing practice?

  1. A Support the client's right to make an informed decision about the treatment.
  2. B Encourage the client to reconsider because chemotherapy improves survival rates.
  3. C Tell the spouse the treatment decision will be discussed at the next visit.
  4. D Ask the oncologist to speak with the client again before honoring the decision.
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A

A competent adult who has received full information about the risks and benefits has the right to refuse treatment. Supporting that informed decision upholds the ethical principle of autonomy, and the nurse can stay available to answer questions from the client and spouse.

Why the other options are wrong:
B: Urging the client to reconsider after an informed refusal pressures the client and undermines autonomy.
C: Putting off the discussion does not address the spouse's request or affirm the client's right to decide.
D: The client already received a full explanation; requiring another discussion before honoring the decision disregards the client's autonomy.

Question 3

A nurse is caring for a 34-year-old client with end-stage renal disease who refuses dialysis. The client states, 'I know I will die, but I am tired of the treatments.' The healthcare team believes dialysis is medically necessary. Which ethical principle should guide the nurse's response?

  1. A Autonomy, because the client has the right to make decisions about their own care.
  2. B Beneficence, because the nurse must do what is best for the client's health.
  3. C Nonmaleficence, because the nurse must avoid causing harm to the client.
  4. D Justice, because the nurse must ensure fair distribution of healthcare resources.
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A

Autonomy is the ethical principle that respects a client's right to make their own healthcare decisions, even if those decisions are not in their best medical interest. The client is competent and clearly expressing their wish to refuse dialysis. Beneficence (the option "Beneficence, because the nurse must do what is best for the client's health." would support providing treatment, but it cannot override autonomy in a competent adult. Nonmaleficence (the option "Nonmaleficence, because the nurse must avoid causing harm to the client." is about avoiding harm, but forcing treatment could be considered harmful. Justice (the option "Justice, because the nurse must ensure fair distribution of healthcare resources." relates to fairness in resource allocation, which is not the primary issue here.

Question 4

A 45-year-old client with terminal pancreatic cancer requests to stop all life-sustaining treatments and receive only comfort care. The attending physician refuses to write the do-not-resuscitate order, stating the client might improve. Which action by the nurse is ethically appropriate?

  1. A Document the client's request and notify the hospital ethics committee.
  2. B Contact the physician again and insist the orders be changed immediately.
  3. C Encourage the client to discuss the decision with family members first.
  4. D Ask the client to wait 24 hours before making a final decision.
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A

A competent client has the right to refuse life-sustaining treatment. Documenting the request and involving the ethics committee advocates for the client and brings a neutral, structured process to resolve the conflict with the physician.

Why the other options are wrong:
B: Insisting on immediate changes is confrontational and unlikely to resolve the disagreement; a structured process is more effective.
C: Family discussion may help, but it does not resolve the physician's refusal and implies the client needs family approval.
D: Asking the client to wait delays honoring a competent decision and undermines the right to refuse treatment.

The whole NCLEX-RN bank

2,666 verified questions with explanations, timed category tests and an 85-item full-length practice test, a review pool that brings back what you missed until you get it right, and an AI tutor that explains why. One payment per exam, or one bundle for all of them.

NCLEX-RN practice opens soon: 2,666 questions verified so far. Purchase opens automatically when the bank is complete. About the NCLEX-RN

Related pages

All NCLEX-RN sample questions 8 categorys All Management of Care questions 10 topics Informed consent with explanations Client advocacy with explanations Legal responsibilities with explanations TEAS 7 sample questions with explanations HESI A2 sample questions with explanations

TEAS is a registered trademark of Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC; HESI is a registered trademark of Elsevier Inc. NCLEX and NCLEX-RN are registered trademarks of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN). AdmitNurse is an independent practice service, not affiliated with or endorsed by any of these organizations.