Nursing practice is guided by which of the following?

Nursing practice is guided by which of the following?

• A. Legal principles, established laws, and ethical principles
• B. Hospital snack policies
• C. Personal feelings only
• D. Marketing requirements

Answer: (A)

Professional nursing practice hinges on the legal and ethical frameworks that guide decision-making, accountability, and patient rights. Nurses must operate within established laws and licensure requirements, follow accepted standards of care, and uphold ethical duties such as respect for autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice. These elements provide the foundation for safe, competent, and accountable care. Hospital snack policies are unrelated to clinical decision-making, personal feelings alone cannot direct professional judgments, and marketing requirements concern business aspects rather than patient care.

Professional nursing practice hinges on the legal and ethical frameworks that guide decision-making, accountability, and patient rights. Nurses must operate within established laws and licensure requirements, follow accepted standards of care, and uphold ethical duties such as respect for autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice. These elements provide the foundation for safe, competent, and accountable care. Hospital snack policies are unrelated to clinical decision-making, personal feelings alone cannot direct professional judgments, and marketing requirements concern business aspects rather than patient care.