Which document provides ethical guidelines and professional standards for nursing?

• A. Accreditation
• B. Certification
• C. Education
• D. The Code of Ethics for Nurses

Answer: (D)

Understanding where ethical guidelines and professional standards for nursing come from. The Code of Ethics for Nurses is a formal statement of the profession’s values, ethical responsibilities, and standards of practice. It guides how nurses make decisions about patient care, confidentiality, advocacy, and interactions with patients, families, and the health care team. It isn’t about program quality, individual certification, or learning content—that role belongs to accreditation, certification, and education respectively. This code provides the ethical framework and professional expectations that shape nursing conduct across all settings.