Moral distress occurs when you must take an action (or inaction) against your values as part of your job.

• A. You must act in accordance with your values
• B. You must take action or inaction against your values
• C. You have unlimited resources
• D. You work with a supportive team

Answer: (B)

Moral distress arises when you know the ethically correct action but are compelled to act in a way that goes against your values, or to refrain from an action you believe is right, because of your job. This tension between what you value and what you’re required to do creates distress. The statement matches this idea precisely by describing having to take action or inaction that contradicts your values within the work setting. If you were simply acting in line with your values, there would be alignment rather than distress. Unlimited resources remove the constraint, so they don’t describe the experience. A supportive team can help, but it doesn’t define the situation that creates moral distress, even though it might reduce it.