The nurse is serving on the hospital ethics committee that is considering the ethics of a proposal for the nursing staff to search the room of a client diagnosed with substance abuse while he is off...

The nurse is serving on the hospital ethics committee that is considering the ethics of a proposal for the nursing staff to search the room of a client diagnosed with substance abuse while he is off the unit and without his knowledge. Which of the following should be considered concerning the relationship of ethical and legal standards of behavior?

1. Ethical standards are generally higher than those required by law.

2. Ethical standards are equal to those required by law.

3. Ethical standards bear no relationship to legal standards for behavior.

 4. Ethical standards are irrelevant when the health of a client is at risk.