Nursing Professional Development Certification (NPD-BC) Practice Exam

An important element of provision 1 of the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses is:

1. assignment and delegation of nursing activities/tasks

2. professional boundaries

3. the right to self-determination

4. protection of the rights of privacy and confidentiality

The correct answer is: the right to self-determination

Provision 1 of the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses emphasizes the inherent dignity and worth of every individual and recognizes the patient’s right to self-determination. This provision underscores the importance of respecting patients as autonomous agents, which means acknowledging their abilities to make decisions about their own healthcare. This principle is foundational to ethical nursing practice, as it highlights the need for nurses to support patients in making informed choices about their treatment options. By prioritizing self-determination, nurses can help empower patients, ensuring they take an active role in their care rather than feeling like mere recipients of services. This respect for autonomy fosters trust and a more collaborative nurse-patient relationship, which is essential for effective care. The other options, while relevant to nursing practice and ethics, align more closely with other provisions or aspects of ethical nursing. Assignment and delegation pertain to management and safe distribution of nursing tasks, while professional boundaries focus on maintaining appropriate relationships in care. Privacy and confidentiality are critical for patient trust but specifically relate more to the handling of patient information rather than autonomy in decision-making.