Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT one of the moral problems addressed by ethics?

1. Moral distress

2. Moral uncertainty

3. Moral dilemma

4. Moral action

The correct answer is: Moral action

Moral action is not categorized as a moral problem that ethics typically addresses. Rather, it refers to the actions taken in response to ethical considerations and dilemmas. In ethical discussions, the focus is generally on understanding and resolving moral issues rather than on the actions themselves. Moral distress, moral uncertainty, and moral dilemmas are recognized as significant topics within ethics. Moral distress occurs when a person knows the right course of action but feels powerless to act upon it, often due to external constraints. Moral uncertainty involves a lack of clarity about what the morally correct choice is, which can lead to confusion and difficulty in decision-making. Moral dilemmas arise when individuals face situations where they must choose between two or more conflicting ethical principles or courses of action, creating a challenging scenario that demands careful consideration and resolution. By recognizing the distinction between these concepts and moral action, it becomes clear why moral action does not fit within the framework of moral problems typically examined in ethics.