Professional and Ethical Responsibilities Flashcards
7 cards from real CARN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Professional and Ethical Responsibilities flashcards as text
A CARN discovers a colleague is diverting controlled substances for personal use. What is the nurse's primary ethical obligation?
Answer: Report the behavior to the appropriate authority or supervisor immediately
The CARN has an ethical and legal obligation to report suspected diversion immediately to protect patient safety and uphold professional standards.
Which ethical principle is most directly applied when a CARN ensures a patient with substance use disorder fully understands all treatment options before consenting?
Answer: Autonomy
Autonomy requires that patients receive complete information and voluntarily make decisions free from coercion.
A patient in a methadone maintenance program requests that their treatment information not be shared with their employer. Under 42 CFR Part 2, the nurse should:
Answer: Obtain written consent from the patient before any disclosure
42 CFR Part 2 requires patient-specific written consent before disclosing substance use disorder treatment records to any third party.
A CARN is asked by law enforcement to confirm whether a specific individual is enrolled in the clinic's treatment program. The appropriate response is to:
Answer: Neither confirm nor deny enrollment without a court order or patient consent
Under 42 CFR Part 2, the existence of a patient's treatment record is itself protected and cannot be confirmed without consent or court order.
When a CARN identifies a conflict between a patient's treatment goals and the facility's standard protocol, the ethical course of action is to:
Answer: Advocate for individualized patient care within ethical and legal boundaries
Ethical nursing practice requires advocating for patient-centered care while operating within professional and legal boundaries.
A patient with opioid use disorder discloses they have been drinking heavily while on buprenorphine. The nurse's priority ethical and clinical obligation is to:
Answer: Document the disclosure and assess safety risk without punitive response
The nurse should document, assess safety, and respond therapeutically rather than punitively, as non-judgmental care is foundational in addiction nursing.
Which action best exemplifies the CARN maintaining professional boundaries with a patient in long-term recovery?
Answer: Declining a social media connection request from a current patient
Declining social media connections from current patients maintains appropriate professional boundaries and protects therapeutic relationships.