Understanding Ethical Practice for the NCLEX
April 2022

Understanding Ethical Practice for the NCLEX

Understanding Ethical Practice for the NCLEX

Ethical Practice for the NCLEX

What are the main skills I need to study within ethical principles in the nursing code of ethics for the NCLEX? For the NCLEX, there are four main areas of study for ethical principles in nursing. Nurses must be able to recognize ethical dilemmas and take action, evaluate intervention outcomes to promote ethical nursing, provide clients and staff members with information on ethical issues that may affect client care, and practice in a manner that’s consistent with nursing ethics standards. Each of these areas encompasses a vast amount of patient care. Breaking down each category into smaller areas of ethical principles in nursing may be helpful for studying for your NCLEX rather than trying to attack each huge category head-on.


What are the 7 ethical principles in nursing?

The 7 ethical principles in nursing are:

  • veracity
  • fidelity
  • autonomy
  • accountability
  • justice
  • nonmaleficence
  • beneficence

It’s important to not only be able to list these categories for your NCLEX – you’ll also need to be able to explain how each category informs ethical patient care for nurses.


What can I expect from NCLEX questions on ethics?

The NCLEX questions on ethics change regularly, but studying can help ensure that you’re well prepared. It’s important to remember that as you study, you’re working to grasp big concepts, rather than small nuances that you found in one or two practice questions. You can expect questions that ask you to figure out how to take action to solve problems in the areas of ethics. Being able to work through hypothetical problems on a large scale is vital for NCLEX success. You may need to evaluate patient issues and decide what the next ethical course of action is based on the problem-solving process.

You’ll also want to make sure you’re familiar with The American Nurse’s Association Code of Ethics, as well as other ethical codes. Some of the NCLEX ethics questions are straightforward, ensuring that you know the codes. Other NCLEX ethics questions are more practical, and work to ensure that you understand how to apply the codes to your practice.


Do I need to do NCLEX ethics practice questions?

Going through NCLEX ethics practice questions is a great way to help you get ready for your NCLEX. The ethical practice portion of the test falls under the management of care section, which comprises 20% of the NCLEX. This does not mean that 20% of the exam is comprised of nursing ethics NCLEX questions – it simply means that the 20% of the exam that includes management of care will likely include some ethics questions.

It’s vital to do some NCLEX ethics practice questions in order to fully prepare for your NCLEX. If you’ve already taken the NCLEX and did not pass, take a look at your score breakdown to understand which questions you should be focusing your time on. If you struggled with the management of care section, it would be smart to spend some extra time focusing on ethical principles in nursing and practicing nursing ethics NCLEX questions.


What’s an example of nursing ethics NCLEX exam questions?

As you’re studying for your NCLEX, it makes sense that you want to see some nursing ethics NCLEX exam questions to get an idea of how to prepare for your test. While you have the option of purchasing an online program to give you practice questions, you’ll also be able to find plenty of nursing ethics NCLEX exam questions if you search online. Bonus: many of these questions also provide the correct answers, so you’re able to assess your knowledge and find your weak spots as you get used to the question format.

An example:

A registered nurse arrives at work and is told to “float” to the ICU for the day because the ICU is understaffed and needs an additional nurse to care for the clients. The nurse has never worked in the ICU. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing action?

  • A. refuse to float in the ICU
  • B. call the hospital lawyer
  • C. call the nursing supervisor
  • D. report to the ICU and identify tasks that can be safely performed (correct)

Be sure to search around for several different NCLEX questions on ethics and values so that you see several different styles. THere’s no guarantee that your practice questions will be the same ones you see on your exam. NCLEX questions on ethics and values change frequently, in order to stop questions from floating around and giving some students an unfair advantage.


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