NURS 101 - Prep U - Exam 3

A nurse observes another nurse place an unused dose of narcotics in their pocket. If caught, the nurse could be charged with which type of crime?

felony

A lawyer is describing the litigation process to a nurse named in a malpractice lawsuit. Which statements by the lawyer accurately describe this process? Select all that apply.

"Common law is based on the principle of stare decisis." "The opinions of appellate judges are published and become common law." "The process of bringing and trying this lawsuit is called litigation."

A nurse is being sued for malpractice in a court of law. What elements must be established to prove that malpractice or negligence has occurred? Select all that apply.

1. causation 2. duty 3. breach of duty

Which scenario is an example of certification? An education program that meets standards of the National League for Nursing A nurse who demonstrates advanced expertise in a content area of nursing through special testing A hospital that meets the standards of the Joint Commission A graduate of a nursing education program who passes NCLEX-RN

A nurse who demonstrates advanced expertise in a content area of nursing through special testing

Which nursing student would most likely be held liable for negligence?

A nursing student administers medication to a resident, while working as an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) at a local nursing home.

A registered nurse has had her license suspended after being convicted of being impaired at work. What governing body has the authority to revoke or suspend a nurse's license?

State Board of Nurse Examiners

A client is being prepared for an elective surgical procedure and the consent form has not been signed. Who should the nurse have obtain consent for the procedure?

The health care provider performing the surgical procedure

A client is received in a postoperative nursing unit after undergoing abdominal surgery. During this time, the nurse failed to recognize the significance of abdominal swelling, which significantly increased during the next 6 hours. Later, the client had to undergo emergency surgery. The lack of action on the nurse's part is liable for action. Which legal term describes the case? Misdemeanor Fraud Felony Tort

Tort

The client being admitted to the oncology unit conveys his wishes regarding resuscitation in the event of cardiopulmonary arrest. The nurse advises the client that it would be in his best interest to obtain which document?

a living will

While riding in the elevator, a nurse discusses the HIV-positive status of a client with other colleagues. The nurse's action reflects: a. invasion of privacy. b. defamation of character. c. false imprisonment. d. professional negligence.

a. invasion of privacy.

The nurse is providing care to a client whose condition has progressively declined. The nurse assesses and makes appropriate interventions as well as notifies the health care provider. Despite the nurse's efforts, the client expires. What element of liability has the nurse demonstrated?

duty

A client has a prescription for amoxicillin 500 mg P.O. every 8 hours. The nurse administers the medication via the intravenous route. Based on the nurse's action, the client develops complications and has an increased length of stay. The client files a lawsuit against the facility and the nurse. Which legal action has the nurse's attorney identified that meets the criteria for the client's lawsuit?

malpractice

A nurse who comments to her coworkers at lunch that her client with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) has been sexually active in the community may be guilty of what tort?

slander

A nurse, while off-duty, tells the physiotherapist that a client who was admitted to the nursing unit contracted AIDS due to exposure to sex workers at the age of 18. The client discovers that the nurse has revealed the information to the physiotherapist. With what legal action could the nurse be charged?

slander

Nurse Practice Acts are examples of which type of laws?

statutory laws

A newly hired graduate nurse meets with the nurse educator to discuss obtaining a client's informed consent for procedures. Which statements, made by the graduate, would indicate to the educator that further discussion is needed? Select all that apply.

"I must make sure I give the client all necessary information about the procedure before I have the client sign the consent form." "When I sign the consent form as a witness, I am saying that the person knows all the risks and benefits of the procedure." "When a client is having surgery, it is my responsibility to get the consent."

The nurse educator is presenting an in-service on nursing and malpractice. Which statements made by the nursing staff would indicate to the educator that further teaching is required? Select all that apply.

"I will have the supervisor fill out the incident report when I make an error." "If I make a mistake, I will not tell anyone."

The nurse is participating in a discussion about controlled substances. Which statement by the nurse indicates she is aware of laws governing the distribution of controlled substances?

"Nurses are responsible for adhering to specific documentation about controlled substances."

The nurse manager is using voluntary standards as a guideline for developing policies on the unit. What voluntary standards are available for the nurse to use? Select all that apply.

- Professional standards for certification of individual nurses in general practice - Process of certification - American Nurses Association Standards of Practice

The health care provider prescribes orders for a client with newly diagnosed uncontrolled seizure activity. When reviewing the prescriptions, the nurse correctly identifies that which prescription, if followed, puts him at risk for negligence charges? Restrain all four extremities Diazepam 5 mg intravenously now Oxygen 2/L via nasal cannula Neurologic assessments every 5 minutes

Restrain all four extremities

A nurse exits the room of a confused client without raising the side rails on the bed. The failure to raise the side rails would constitute which element of liability related to malpractice?

breach of duty

A nurse witnesses a traffic accident and dresses the open wounds sustained by a child. Later, in the hospital, the child develops complications from an infection in the wound. The family holds the nurse responsible for the complications and attempts to file a lawsuit. Which statement is true regarding the Good Samaritan law? a. The Good Samaritan law will provide legal immunity to the nurse. b. The Good Samaritan law will provide absolute exemption from prosecution. c. The Good Samaritan law will not protect the nurse because she did not accept compensation. d. The Good Samaritan law is not applicable to health care workers.

a. The Good Samaritan law will provide legal immunity to the nurse.

A legal document that states a client's health-related wishes — such as a preference for pain management if the client becomes terminally ill — and also allows the client's daughter to direct his care, is a(an):

advance directive

The nurse is providing care to a client who had orthopedic surgery. The nurse has medicated the client for pain. However, the client reports pain is unrelieved. The nurse takes no further action regarding assessment and intervention for the client's pain. The nurse does not notify the surgeon regarding the client's pain. What element of liability has been violated?

breach of duty

A client is in a persistent vegetative state. The client has no immediate family and is a ward of the state. Under these circumstances, who will speak on this client's behalf? a. A significant other b. Her best friend c. Surrogate decision maker d. Church-appointed guardian

c

During the orientation to the hospital, the staff development educator discusses unit and institutional-based policies. What is the source of the practice rules that result in unit and institutional-based policies?

health care institution

Two nurses meet at their home, where one of the nurses discusses a client who had been physically abused. The next day, the client is shifted to another nursing unit after a surgical procedure and becomes the care of the second nurse who had been part of the original discussion. Nurse No. 2 asks the client about the physical abuse. The client discovers that his original nurse revealed the information and is hurt. What would be the charges if the client files a suit?

the nurses could be charged for slander

An RN enters a client's room and observes the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) forcefully pushing a client down on the bed. The client starts crying and informs the UAP of the need to go to the bathroom. What action is the RN witnessing that should be immediately reported to the supervisor?

battery

Having recently completed a specialty nursing program in neonatal care, a nurse is now preparing to leave her current position on a medical unit and begin providing care in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The nurse has completed which of the following processes of credentialing? a. accreditation b. licensure c. certification d. validation

c

When the nurse inserts an ordered urinary catheter into the client's urethra after the client has refused the procedure, and then the client suffers an injury, the client may sue the nurse for which type of tort?

battery

During the admission assessment of a female client age 40 years with a suspected mandibular fracture, the client discloses to the nurse that her injury came as a result of her husband hitting her. Which action should the nurse prioritize when responding to this disclosure? a. Ensuring the client's statement is confirmed by another nurse b. Performing an assessment to confirm the client's statement c. Reporting the abuse to the appropriate authorities d. Informing the client of her right to keep this information private

c. Reporting the abuse to the appropriate authorities

Nurses are occasionally asked to witness a testator's (person who makes the will) signing of his or her will. Which guideline is true regarding a nurse's role is witnessing a testator's signature? a. A beneficiary to a will is allowed to act as a witness. b. A single witness is sufficient for a will. c. Witnesses to a signature do not need to read the will. d. Witnesses do not need to observe the signing of the will and can sign it at a later time.

c. Witnesses to a signature do not need to read the will.

A nurse has applied soft wrist restraints to a client following endotracheal intubation. Which documentation is essential while using restraints?

- patient assessment findings every 2 hours - .9NS IV infusing at 100ml/hr - foley catheter draining clear yellow urine

The nursing faculty is lecturing on unintentional and intentional torts. The faculty asks a nursing student to provide an example of an unintentional tort. Which example would indicate the student has a clear understanding of torts?

A nurse gives a medication and client has an adverse reaction.

A nurse fails to communicate a change in the client's condition to the physician. Which element related to proving malpractice has been met? Damages Duty Proximate cause Breach of duty

Breach of duty

A client is brought to the emergency department in an unconscious state with a head injury. The client requires surgery to remove a blood clot. What would be the appropriate nursing intervention in keeping with the policy of informed consent prior to a surgical procedure? a. The nurse ensures that the client's family signs the consent form. b. The nurse informs the family about advance directives. c. The nurse ensures that the client signs the consent form. d. The nurse informs the family about the living will.

a. The nurse ensures that the client's family signs the consent form.

The nurse educator provides an educational session to the nursing staff on protection of a client's privacy. Which circumstances, identified by the staff, would indicate to the educator that the teaching was effective? Select all that apply.

a. The nurse removed the client from the emergency department waiting room into a private area to collect assessment data. b. With the client's permission, the nurse explained the client's diagnosis to the client's spouse.

An HIV-positive client discovers that his name is published in a research report on HIV care prepared by his nurse. He is hurt and files a lawsuit against her. Which offense has the nurse committed? a. Negligence of duty b. Invasion of privacy c. Unintentional tort d. Defamation of client

b. Invasion of privacy

A nurse enters the client's room and finds the client lying on the floor experiencing a seizure. After stabilizing the client, the nurse informs the physician. The physician advises the nurse to prepare an incident report. What is the purpose of an incident report? a. To provide a method for deciding the nurse's fault in the incident b. To evaluate quality care and potential risks for injury to the client c. To provides information to local, state, and federal agencies d. To evaluate the immediate care provided by the nurse to the client

b. To evaluate quality care and potential risks for injury to the client

A client states that his recent fall was caused by the fact that his scheduled antihypertensive medications were mistakenly administered by two different nurses, an event that is disputed by both of the nurses identified by the client. Which measure should the nurses prioritize when anticipating that legal action may follow? a. Consult with the hospital's legal department as soon as possible. b. Consult with practice advisors from the state board of nursing. c. Document the client's claims and the events surrounding the alleged incident. d. Enlist support from nursing and non-nursing colleagues from the unit.

c

A nurse fails to administer a medication that prevents seizures, and the client has a seizure. The nurse is in violation of the Nurse Practice Act. What type of law is the nurse in violation of?

civil

After reporting to work for a night shift, the nurse learns that the unit will be understaffed because two RNs called out sick. As a result, each nurse on the unit will need to provide care for an additional four acute clients, in addition to her regular client assignment. Which statement is true for this nurse when working in understaffed circumstances? a. The nurse must document that float staff, nurses on overtime, and part-time staff were contacted in an effort to fill the gaps in care. b. Understaffing constitutes an extenuating circumstance that creates a temporarily lower expectation for care for the nurse. c. The nurse is legally obliged to refuse to provide care when understaffing creates the potential for unsafe conditions. d. The nurse will be legally held to the same standards of care as when staffing levels are normal.

d. The nurse will be legally held to the same standards of care as when staffing levels are normal.