Fundamentals of Nursing - Ch 23 Legal Implications in Nursing Practice
Serious crime punishable by imprisonment or death
felony
A new graduate nurse is being mentored by a more experienced nurse. They are discussing the ways nurses need to remain active professionally. Which of the statements below indicates the new graduate understands ways to remain involved professionally?
"I am thinking about joining the health committee at my church." "I need to read newspapers, watch news broadcasts, and search the Internet for information related to health."
A nurse notes that the health care unit keeps a listing of the patient names at the front desk in easy view for health care providers to more efficiently locate the patient. The nurse talks with the nursing manager because this action is a violation of which act?
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
The nurse notes that an advance directive is on a patient's medical record. Which statement represents the best description of an advance directive guideline the nurse will follow?
A living will is invoked only when the patient has a terminal condition or is in a persistent vegetative state.
A woman who is a Jehovah's Witness has severe life-threatening injuries and is hemorrhaging following a car accident. The health care provider ordered 2 units of packed red blood cells to treat the woman's anemia. The woman's husband refuses to allow the nurse to give his wife the blood. What is the nurse's responsibility?
Abide by the husband's wishes and inform the health care provider
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC
Emergency resuscitation given without client consent
CPR
You are floated to work on a nursing unit where you are given an assignment that is beyond your capability. What is the best nursing action to take first?
Call the nursing supervisor to discuss the situation
A home health nurse notices significant bruising on a 2-year old patient's head, arms, abdomen, and legs. The patient's mother describes the patient's frequent falls. What is the best nursing action for the home health nurse to take?
Contact a child abuse hotline
An order to withhold treatment or resuscitation
DNR "do not resuscitate"
You are the night shift nurse and are caring for a newly admitted patient who appears to be confused. The family asks to see the patient's medical record. What is the first nursing action to take?
Discuss the issues that concern the family with them
A homeless man enters the emergency department seeking health care. The health care provider indicates that the patient needs to be transferred to the City Hospital for care. This action is most likely a violation of which of the following laws?
Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA)
Legislation requiring appropriate screening and stabilization in the emergency room
Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA)
The patient has a fractured femur that is placed in skeletal traction with a fresh plaster cast applied. The patient experiences decreased sensation and a cold feeling in the toes of the affected leg. The nurse observes that the patient's toes have become pale and cold but forgets to document this because one of the nurse's other patients experienced cardiac arrest at the same time. Two days later the patient in skeletal traction has an elevated temperature, and he is prepared for surgery to amputate the leg below the knee. Which of the following statements regarding a breach of duty apply to this situation?
Failure to document a change in assessment data Failure to notify a health care provider about a change in the patient's condition
A nurse is caring for a patient who recently had coronary bypass surgery. Which are legal sources of standards of care the nurse uses to deliver safe health care?
Policies and procedures of the employing hospital State Nurse Practice Act Regulations identified in The Joint Commission's manual The American Nurses Association standards of nursing practice
The nurse received a hand-off report at the change of shift in the conference room from the night shift nurse. The nursing student assigned to the nurse asks to review the medical records of the patients assigned to them. The nurse begins assessing the assigned patients and lists the nursing care information for each patient on each individual patient's message board in the patient rooms. The nurse also lists the patients' medical diagnoses on the message board. Later in the day the nurse discusses the plan of care for a patient who is dying with the patient's family. Which of these actions describes a violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?
Posting medical information about the patient on a message board in the patient's room
A nurse is planning care for a patient going to surgery. Who is responsible for informing the patient about the surgery along with possible risks, complications, and benefits?
Surgeon
Which of the following actions, if performed by a registered nurse, would result in both criminal and administrative law sanctions against the nurse?
Taking or selling controlled substances Applying physical restraints without a written physician's order
A nurse stops to help in an emergency at the scene of an accident. The injured party files a suit, and the nurse's employing institution insurance does not cover the nurse. What would probably cover the nurse in this situation?
The Good Samaritan laws, which grant immunity from suit if there is no gross negligence
A nurse is sued for failure to monitor a patient appropriately after a procedure. Which of the following statements are correct about this lawsuit?
The person filing the lawsuit has the burden of proof. The plaintiff must prove that a breach in the prevailing standard of care caused an injury.
Intentional threat to bring about harmful or offensive contact
assault
Intentional touching without consent
battery
A person's agreement to allow an invasive procedure with full disclosure of risks, benefits, alternatives, and consequences of refusal
informed consent
Negligence by a professional nurse or physician that causes injury to the client
malpractice
A system of ensuring appropriate nursing care that attempts to identify potential hazards and eliminate them before harm occurs
risk management
A civil wrong against a person or property, either intentional or unintentional
tort
