RN Exam Practice
Management of CareQuestion 2265 of 2368

Which situation is an ethical dilemma?

  1. The nurse is unsure how to start an IV, although the policy is clear on the steps
  2. The nurse must choose between equally desirable or undesirable options when values conflict
  3. The nurse is late for a shift because of heavy traffic on the way to the hospital
  4. The nurse knows a task is part of the care plan and simply does it as written
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Correct answer: The nurse must choose between equally desirable or undesirable options when values conflict

An ethical dilemma comes from competing values and requires a choice among equally desirable or undesirable options.

Source: Nursing Management and Professional Concepts, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2024), Ethical Practice: Ethical Dilemmas. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Management of Care"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026