The International Council of Nurses Code of Ethics emphasizes respect for human rights and supports nurses' refusal to care in certain situations.

• A. It mandates always providing care
• B. It emphasizes respect for human rights including the right to life and dignity, and supports refusal to care
• C. It only addresses hospital administration
• D. It was created after 2000

Answer: (B)

The primary idea here is that nursing ethics protect human rights and allow nurses to decline care when necessary, within professional boundaries. The ICN Code of Ethics centers on respecting human life and human dignity, ensuring patients’ rights are honored. It also recognizes that a nurse may refuse to participate in care in certain situations, such as when providing that care would conflict with the nurse’s ethical beliefs or professional standards, as long as patient access to care isn’t compromised and safety is maintained. This is why the statement that the Code emphasizes human rights and supports the option to refuse care best fits the Code’s guidance. The Code is not about always providing care, it isn’t limited to hospital administration, and it isn’t defined by a post-2000 origin. In practice, this means a nurse can advocate for the patient and arrange for another qualified caregiver to ensure safe, respectful, rights-based care continues.