Treatment of Vulnerable Groups Questions:

1. Nurse Linda is conducting a research on vulnerable subjects, she understands the

definition of vulnerable subjects is she states which of the following?
a. People who are fully capable of giving informed consent.
b. People who are at high risk of unintended side effects because of their
circumstances
c. People who have no risk of unintended side effects because of their healthy
bodies
d. People who are capable of giving consent for the participation of others.

2. For children at least seven years of age, the following are obtained:
a. Assent of the child only.
b. Informed consent of the child and assent of the guardian or parent.
c. Informed consent of the guardian and assent of the parent.
d. Informed consent of the parent or guardian and advisably, the assent of the
child.

3. A nurse can obtain a consent of child who is capable of understanding the basic
concepts of an informed consent for:
a. Respect of the child’s right to self-determination.
b. Respect of the child’s name
c. Respect of the child’s parents
d. Lesser hassle since a child is much easier to convince.

4. Nurse Myka is conducting a research involving institutionalized people. She feels that
the people are forced to participate in the study even though there’s a slight resistance.
Which of the following can she do?
a. Emphasize that the study has been tested in mice first and has been proven
safe.
b. Emphasize that the study is voluntary and they may opt not to participate.
c. Emphasize that the researchers will ensure that their healthcare will be
continued.
d. Emphasize that the study is completely under her control and no one will be
harmed.

5. A patient is severely ill, before obtaining the consent of the patient, which of the
following must a nurse do?
a. Assess the ability of the patient to write.
b. Assess the ability of the patient to conduct a research.
c. Assess the ability of the patient to make decisions.
d. Assess the ability of the nurse to participate in the study.
6. A pregnant patient went to nurse Mike and forces him to put her on the list of the
participants of a research. Upon knowing that the study has not been proven safe for
pregnant women, which of the following must nurse Mike do?
a. Allow her to participate since it’s her right to autonomy.
b. Call the physician of the study.
c. Call the nurse supervisor to explain the procedure.
d. Tell her that she cannot be involved unless the risks to the woman and her
child are minimal.

7. A nurse is caring for an eight-year-old child, she was tasked to ask for the patient’s
assent. She needs further teaching if she states which of the following?
a. An assent is the affirmation of a child for the participation in a research.
b. Even though an assent is already obtained, a parent’s consent is still necessary.
c. Even though a parent’s or guardian’s consent is already obtained, an assent is
necessary for a child to be allowed in a study.
d. A parent’s consent has the final say even with the presence of an assent.

8. The following are considered vulnerable subjects except:

a. Pregnant women.
b. Prisoners
c. Cancer patients
d. Adults

9. The following can give a consent to a child’s participation in a study except:

a. The child’s mother
b. The child’s father
c. The child’s legal guardian
d. The child’s house maid.

10. For mentally disabled people to legally participate in a research, which of the
following should be obtained?
a. The patient’s signature
b. The legal guardian’s consent
c. The patient’s address
d. The patient’s thumb mark.
Answers with Rationale

1. B. Vulnerable subjects may either be people who are incapable of giving a fully
informed consent or people who are at high risked for unintended side effects due to
their circumstances.
2. D. A parent’s or a legal guardian’s consent is obtained for a child to be able to
participate in a research and even though not required, an assent can also be obtained.
The assent of a child would not ensure the legality of the child’s participation in a
research. An assent is only given by the child and not by adults.
3. A. An informed consent of the child serves as an evidence for the respect of rights to
self-determination.
4. B. A study is voluntary thus patients can opt not to participate.
5. C. Severely ill patients may have compromised ability to make decisions thus should
be assessed.
6. D. Pregnant women are not allowed to participate in a study unless it is for meeting
her needs or the risks of the study is minimal for the fetus and the mother.
7. C. An assent, though advisable, is not necessary for a child to be allowed in a study.
8. D. Adults without any disabilities are not considered as vulnerable subjects.
9. D. All other choices are correct.
10. B. A mentally disabled person cannot make decisions regarding his participation thus
a legal guardian’s consent is necessary.