Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

Which group is not considered a vulnerable population under research ethics?

1. Prisoners

2. Frail elders

3. Pregnant women, fetuses, and children

4. Mentally incompetent individuals

The correct answer is: Frail elders

Frail elders are generally not categorized as a vulnerable population under research ethics because they are typically viewed as an adult population capable of providing informed consent. Vulnerable populations are characterized by situations that may compromise their ability to provide informed consent or place them at increased risk of harm or exploitation during research. Prisoners, for example, may have limited autonomy in their decision-making due to their incarceration status, making them more susceptible to coercion. Similarly, pregnant women, fetuses, and children are considered vulnerable because their ability to consent is limited and requires additional protections. Mentally incompetent individuals are also recognized as vulnerable due to their impaired capacity to understand the implications of research participation. In summary, while frail elders may face health challenges, their ability to consent and participate in research does not inherently place them in a vulnerable category like the other mentioned groups.