Original DHA nursing questions on ethics, law & professionalism, with explanations.
Short answer: 10 original multiple-choice practice questions on ethics, law & professionalism for nurses preparing for the DHA licensing exam, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. This is a Meddex topic, not a DHA heading. They are original and are not real exam items.
About these questions
Every question here is original. Meddex wrote it for exam preparation. None is a real, recalled or leaked exam item, and none comes from DHA, Prometric, UAE University or the NIHS.
Meddex is independent and is not affiliated with DHA, Prometric, UAE University or the NIHS.
Clinical review of the question bank is not complete yet. Treat the explanations as study aids and check official guidance before you rely on a fact.
This is a sample, not the whole bank, and doing well on it does not predict an exam result.
What ethics & law covers
Consent, confidentiality, documentation and UAE medical-liability principles.
Consent, confidentiality, honest records and speaking up carry most questions here. The best answer is usually open, documented and goes through the right channel.
Where it fits in the exam
DHA lists four coverage headings for Registered Nurse and publishes no weights. Ethics, Law & Professionalism is one of ten Meddex domains, so it is a Meddex grouping and not a DHA heading. Its questions can appear under more than one DHA heading.
DHA does not state how many answer options its questions have or whether each has one best answer. Meddex practice items use four options with one best answer, as a practice format.
How to use these questions
Decide your answer before you press Show answer. Then read the reason for every option, including the ones you rejected. Note the idea you missed and come back to it in a few days.
Practice questions
Question 1
Ethics, Law & ProfessionalismMedium
After a patient's death, the family say they wish to be present while the body is washed according to their faith. What is the MOST appropriate response?
AOption A: Refuse because family members are not permitted on the ward once the patient has died, for infection control reasons
BOption B: Ask the family about their wishes and involve them as they choose, with dignity, privacy and standard precautions
COption C: Ask a different nurse to refuse for you
DOption D: Hurry the family out and complete the care as quickly as possible
Show answer for question 1
Correct answer: B. Ask the family about their wishes and involve them as they choose, with dignity, privacy and standard precautions
Care after death honours the person and supports the bereaved. Asking about cultural and religious wishes, involving family where they wish to take part, protecting privacy and modesty, using standard precautions and following policy are part of person-centred end-of-life care. Refusing or rushing causes distress and may breach religious obligations.
Why A is wrong. A blanket refusal ignores cultural and religious needs.
Why C is wrong. Delegating refusal avoids the nurse's professional responsibility.
Why D is wrong. Rushing the family away is insensitive and unprofessional.
Topic: Care after death. Reference: ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses; Hospice and palliative nursing standards for care after death
Question 2
Ethics, Law & ProfessionalismEasy
Two nurses discuss a patient's diagnosis and name in a crowded hospital lift. Which statement is CORRECT?
AOption A: It is acceptable if the patient has agreed to be treated in the hospital
BOption B: This is a breach, because others may overhear; such discussions belong in private areas
COption C: It is acceptable because they are both colleagues with a clear need to know the diagnosis
DOption D: It is acceptable if they speak quietly
Show answer for question 2
Correct answer: B. This is a breach, because others may overhear; such discussions belong in private areas
Patient information must not be discussed where visitors or other patients can overhear, such as lifts, corridors and canteens. Colleagues with a need to know should talk in a private space, so that the information stays within the care team. Speaking quietly or the patient's general agreement to treatment does not remove the risk of overhearing.
Why A is wrong. Consent to treatment does not include consent to public discussion of the diagnosis.
Why C is wrong. A need to know between colleagues does not allow discussion in earshot of the public.
Why D is wrong. Lowering the voice reduces but does not remove the risk of being overheard.
Topic: Confidentiality in public places. Reference: ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses; NMC The Code: Respect people's right to privacy and confidentiality
Question 3
Ethics, Law & ProfessionalismEasy
A patient with a do-not-attempt-resuscitation order develops severe pain and nausea. What should the nurse do?
AOption A: Treat the pain and nausea fully, because the order concerns resuscitation only
BOption B: Cancel the order so that full treatment may be given, including symptom relief and active management
COption C: Delay treatment because the patient is for limited care
DOption D: Give only reassurance as the patient is near the end of life
Show answer for question 3
Correct answer: A. Treat the pain and nausea fully, because the order concerns resuscitation only
A do-not-attempt-resuscitation order only applies to cardiopulmonary resuscitation. All other care, including analgesia, antiemetics and active treatment of reversible problems, continues according to the patient's needs and wishes. Withholding comfort measures under a resuscitation order is a common and harmful misunderstanding.
Why B is wrong. Cancelling the order is unnecessary and not the patient's decision to make by the nurse.
Why C is wrong. Limiting resuscitation does not limit symptom control.
Why D is wrong. Reassurance alone does not relieve severe pain and nausea.
Topic: Comfort care with a DNR order. Reference: Joint statement on decisions relating to cardiopulmonary resuscitation; WHO Palliative care fact sheet
Question 4
Ethics, Law & ProfessionalismMedium
A nurse's father is admitted to her ward and colleagues suggest she look after him. What is the MOST appropriate action?
AOption A: Provide his care herself but keep her notes brief, so that private details are not recorded in full detail
BOption B: Take his drug chart home to double check it
COption C: Step back from his direct care because of the conflict of interest, and visit him as his daughter
DOption D: Accept, because a family member will be most attentive
Show answer for question 4
Correct answer: C. Step back from his direct care because of the conflict of interest, and visit him as his daughter
Caring for a close relative creates a conflict of interest, since emotional involvement can impair objectivity, privacy and professional boundaries, and the patient may be less able to express his own wishes. The nurse asks for reallocation, does not access his records without a care need, and supports him as a family member.
Why A is wrong. Brief notes do not solve the conflict and risk poor documentation.
Why B is wrong. Taking records home breaches confidentiality.
Why D is wrong. Emotional involvement can impair clinical judgement and privacy.
Topic: Caring for relatives. Reference: ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses; NMC The Code: Be open and honest and act with integrity
Question 5
Ethics, Law & ProfessionalismEasy
Which action is an example of paternalism in nursing practice?
AOption A: Withholding a diagnosis from a competent patient because the nurse believes he cannot cope
BOption B: Offering a patient several options and explaining the risks of each
COption C: Respecting a competent patient's refusal of a treatment
DOption D: Asking a patient how much information he wants
Show answer for question 5
Correct answer: A. Withholding a diagnosis from a competent patient because the nurse believes he cannot cope
Paternalism overrides a person's autonomy for what the carer believes is his good. Withholding information from a competent patient is a typical example. Giving options, checking information preferences and respecting refusal are all supportive of autonomy.
Why B is wrong. Offering options with risks supports autonomy.
Why C is wrong. Respecting a competent refusal honours autonomy.
Why D is wrong. Asking about information preferences respects autonomy.
Topic: Paternalism. Reference: Beauchamp and Childress Principles of Biomedical Ethics; ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses
Question 6
Ethics, Law & ProfessionalismMedium
A patient asks the nurse to read her hospital notes. What is the MOST appropriate response?
AOption A: Hand over the chart to read at the bedside
BOption B: Refuse because the notes belong to the hospital and are never shared with patients under any circumstances
COption C: Acknowledge her interest and explain the organisation's process for access to records
DOption D: Tell her to ask her family doctor instead
Show answer for question 6
Correct answer: C. Acknowledge her interest and explain the organisation's process for access to records
Patients generally have a right to see their health information, subject to local law and policy and to limited exceptions. Requests are handled through the formal route, which verifies identity, protects other people's information and keeps a record. The nurse should respond helpfully, not refuse outright or hand over the working chart informally.
Why A is wrong. Handing over the live chart informally bypasses verification and protections.
Why B is wrong. A blanket refusal ignores patients' general right of access.
Why D is wrong. Redirecting to another service avoids the nurse's role in facilitating access.
Topic: Access to health records. Reference: ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses; General principles of patient access to health records
Question 7
Ethics, Law & ProfessionalismMedium
A police officer asks the nurse at the emergency department desk for the name and condition of a man who has just arrived with a stab wound. What is the MOST appropriate response?
AOption A: Say nothing and walk away without informing anyone, because patient information is always private and nobody should be told
BOption B: Refer the request to the senior clinician or designated officer, disclosing nothing until consent, a legal duty or a public-interest basis is established
COption C: Give the full name and clinical details, because police are public officials who are entitled to such information
DOption D: Give the details but ask the officer not to share them with anyone else
Show answer for question 7
Correct answer: B. Refer the request to the senior clinician or designated officer, disclosing nothing until consent, a legal duty or a public-interest basis is established
Confidentiality is owed to the patient. Information is disclosed with consent, when required by law or when there is a recognised public-interest justification, and then only the minimum necessary. Nurses do not decide this alone at a desk; they follow organisational policy and refer to the senior clinician or a designated officer. Acting on status alone or on a promise of secrecy breaches confidentiality.
Why A is wrong. Ignoring the request fails to handle a legitimate query and does not alert the team.
Why C is wrong. Status as an official does not by itself justify disclosure.
Why D is wrong. A promise from the recipient does not make unauthorised disclosure acceptable.
Topic: Police request for information. Reference: ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses; General principles of health information confidentiality
Question 8
Ethics, Law & ProfessionalismMedium
A researcher asks ward nurses to encourage patients to join a study. Some patients are hesitant and worry their care may change if they refuse. What is the MOST appropriate nursing response?
AOption A: Explain that taking part is voluntary and will not affect their care, and direct questions to the research team
BOption B: Avoid the conversation as nurses must not discuss research
COption C: Tell them that all patients on the ward are expected to take part
DOption D: Encourage them to join to help the researcher, as most patients who take part say they benefited from the experience
Show answer for question 8
Correct answer: A. Explain that taking part is voluntary and will not affect their care, and direct questions to the research team
Research participation requires voluntary, informed consent without coercion. Patients are told clearly that refusing or leaving the study will not affect their care. Detailed questions go to the researchers using ethics-approved information, and the nurse acts as an advocate. Pressure, implied expectations or avoiding the topic all undermine patient autonomy.
Why B is wrong. Patients need honest reassurance, so silence leaves their worry unaddressed.
Why C is wrong. Implying an expectation to take part is coercion.
Why D is wrong. Encouragement from the treating nurse can be coercive for dependent patients.
Topic: Research participation. Reference: World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki; ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses
Question 9
Ethics, Law & ProfessionalismMedium
During urinary catheterisation a conscious woman with capacity says, 'Stop, I have changed my mind.' What should the nurse do?
AOption A: Finish quickly because it is almost done, as stopping part way would cause her more discomfort and risk infection
BOption B: Stop, make the patient comfortable and safe, explore her concerns, and document her withdrawal of consent
COption C: Continue if a relative says it is necessary
DOption D: Ask her to stay still and explain that she agreed earlier
Show answer for question 9
Correct answer: B. Stop, make the patient comfortable and safe, explore her concerns, and document her withdrawal of consent
Consent is ongoing and may be withdrawn at any time by a person with capacity. The nurse stops as soon as it is safe, ensures the patient is safe and comfortable, listens to concerns, explains consequences, involves the team and records what happened. Continuing would be an assault and breach of trust. A relative cannot override a competent adult.
Why A is wrong. Completing the procedure without consent is unlawful and violates autonomy.
Why C is wrong. A relative cannot give consent for a competent adult.
Why D is wrong. Reminding her of earlier consent does not remove her right to withdraw it.
Topic: Withdrawal of consent. Reference: ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses; General principles of informed consent
Question 10
Ethics, Law & ProfessionalismMedium
A patient without capacity has a daughter acting as surrogate decision-maker, who says, 'I want everything done.' Which standard should guide her decision?
AOption A: What the daughter would want if she were in the patient's position
BOption B: What costs the hospital least
COption C: What the daughter finds least upsetting and most comforting for the whole family
DOption D: What the patient would have wanted, based on known values and wishes (substituted judgement)
Show answer for question 10
Correct answer: D. What the patient would have wanted, based on known values and wishes (substituted judgement)
Surrogates are asked to apply substituted judgement, which means expressing the choice the patient would make, using prior statements, values and beliefs. Where no evidence exists, a best-interests standard is used. The nurse supports the surrogate in distinguishing their own wishes from those of the patient.
Why A is wrong. The surrogate's own preferences are not the standard.
Why B is wrong. Cost is not the ethical basis for a surrogate's decision.
Why C is wrong. Emotional comfort of the surrogate is not the standard for decisions.
Topic: Surrogate decision standard. Reference: Beauchamp and Childress Principles of Biomedical Ethics; ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses
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Frequently asked questions
DHA does not publish how many questions come from each topic. It lists four coverage headings for Registered Nurse with no weights. Meddex groups its questions into ten domains of its own.
No. They are original practice questions written by Meddex for exam preparation. DHA does not publish sample questions, and its Assessment Manual says sharing assessment questions is not allowed, so we do not use or claim real or recalled items.
The Meddex app has the full bank, which you can practise by topic with a free account. These pages are a short sample, and the questions on them do not change.
No. Each question has a Show answer button. The answer, the explanation and the reason each wrong option is wrong are part of the page text, so they are there when you press it.