National Association of Boards of Long Term Care Administrator (NAB) CORE Practice Exam

What does the term ethics primarily relate to?

1. Vendor purchasing procedures

2. Decision-making for standards and values

3. Conflict resolution between staff

4. Care recipient advocacy processes

The correct answer is: Decision-making for standards and values

The term ethics primarily relates to decision-making for standards and values because ethics involves the principles that guide individuals and organizations in determining what is right or wrong. It encompasses the moral philosophy behind choices and the reasoning that leads to actions and policies that reflect certain values. In the context of long-term care leadership, ethical decision-making is vital as it ensures that the approach to care, operations, and interactions with staff and residents aligns with established moral standards and the organization’s core values. In contrast, while vendor purchasing procedures, conflict resolution between staff, and care recipient advocacy processes are important aspects of a long-term care facility's operations, they are more aligned with operational practices or specific responsibilities rather than the broader concept of ethics. Ethics is foundational to all of these areas, providing a framework for how decisions are made and standards upheld. Thus, the focus on decision-making for standards and values captures the essence of what ethics entails in a leadership context.