What is a personal belief about the worth of a given idea, attitude, custom, or object that sets standards guiding behavior?

• A. Value
• B. Moral Rule
• C. Norm
• D. Ethic

Answer: (A)

Values are beliefs about the worth of something—an idea, attitude, custom, or object—that guide choices and behavior. This definition fits the item because it emphasizes how a personal judgment about importance or desirability becomes a standard that shapes what a person does. In nursing and ethics, values act as the inner compass that informs decisions, such as prioritizing patient autonomy, privacy, or compassion in care.

This concept differentiates from a moral rule, which is a specific directive about right and wrong behavior; a norm, which is an expected pattern of behavior within a group; and an ethic, which is a system of principles used to evaluate conduct. While ethics and professional codes outline the standards expected in practice, a value is the personal belief that motivates and justifies those actions.