Ethics & Professional Standards – PN

Why ethics matters on NCLEX-PN: Ethics questions test whether the PN can distinguish appropriate professional behavior from violations of patient rights, scope of practice, and legal/regulatory standards. These questions often appear as scenario-based items where the correct answer requires the nurse to advocate, report, or defer appropriately. Core ethical principles the PN must apply at the bedside: - Autonomy — the patient's right to make informed decisions about their own care, even decisions the nurse disagrees with - Beneficence — acting in the patient's best interest; doing good - Nonmaleficence — "do no harm"; avoiding actions that cause harm, including failing to act - Justice — treating all patients fairly and equitably regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic status, or diagnosis - Fidelity — keeping promises and commitments to patients - Veracity — being truthful with patients and families The PN's ethical role: The PN functions under the supervision of the RN or provider but retains independent ethical obligations. The PN is a patient advocate at all times. When a PN observes a potential ethical violation — unsafe care, breach of...