Ch 23 Legal Imp in Nursing Practice

The nurse is learning about nursing malpractice. Which statements should the nurse consider as good nursing practice? Select all that apply.

Nursing notes should be maintained properly. Nursing records should be properly preserved. Institutions should maintain complete nursing records

A patient is brought to the hospital after a motor vehicle accident. Which law makes it mandatory for the healthcare facility to provide emergency care to patients before transferring them to other hospitals?

Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act

A graduate nurse is being mentored by a more experienced nurse. They are discussing the ways nurses need to remain active professionally. Which statements below indicate the new graduate understands ways to remain involved professionally? Select all that apply.

"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 nursing student is learning about the role of the State Board of Nursing. Which are functions of the State Board of Nursing? Select all that apply.

Can suspend the license of the nurse who violates licensing provisions Licenses all registered nurses in the state in which they practice Has to follow due process before revoking or suspending a license

A homeless man enters the emergency department seeking health care. The healthcare provider indicates that the patient needs to be transferred to the city hospital for care. Which law does this action most likely violate?

Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA)

The nurse is learning about the legal implications in nursing practice. Which statements are true about the various sources of law? Select all that apply.

Civil laws protect the rights of individuals in the society. Criminal laws protect society by providing punishment for crimes. Regulatory law reflects decisions made by administrative bodies when they pass rules

The home health nurse notices significant bruising on a 2-year-old child's head, arms, abdomen, and legs. The patient's mother describes the child's frequent falls. Which is the best nursing action for the home health nurse to take?

Contact a child abuse hotline

An 8-year-old girl is brought to the emergency room with severe abdominal pain. The nurse has to get consent before medical treatment can begin. The parents of the child are divorced and the mother has custody. The patient is accompanied by her mother, father, and sister, the latter aged 19 years old. What information should be provided before the patient's guardian gives consent? Select all that apply.

A complete explanation of the procedure or treatment Names and qualifications of the people performing the treatment A description of possible adverse effects or side effects of the treatment

The nurse is speaking to a patient who has been diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The patient could lose his current job if information about the disease is revealed. Which law should the nurse discuss with the patient?

Americans with Disabilities Act

A 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 statements regarding a breach of duty apply to this situation? Select all that apply.

Failure to document a change in assessment data Failure to notify a health care provider about a change in the patient's condition

The nurse is learning about negligence in unintentional torts. Which actions would the nurse consider as common acts of negligence? Select all that apply.

Failure to follow orders Failure to document monitoring Failure to follow policies and guidelines

A patient is abusive and rude with the student nurse. The student nurse documents that the patient is uncooperative and shows symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. As a result the patient will be transferred to a different floor. Which is the best classification of this nurse's error?

Libel Libel is documentation of false entries or defamation of character. Slander is oral defamation of character.

A patient suffering from cardiac arrest is brought to the hospital. The patient previously underwent a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and angioplasty, and the patient has been chronically ill since then. The patient has requested in writing that not to be resuscitated in case of emergency. What is the term for this request?

Living will

A nursing student has learned about advance directives for healthcare. Which documents should the student classify as advance directives? Select all that apply.

Living wills Health care proxies Durable powers of attorney for health care

What should the nurse do to avoid malpractice and the resulting professional negligence? Select all that apply.

Strictly follow the given standards of care. Regularly update current nursing knowledge. Properly document all assessments and interventions

The nurse is planning care for a patient going to surgery. Who is responsible for informing the patient about the surgery and possible risks, complications, and benefits?

Surgeon

In which situations is the nurse allowed to use physical restraints? Select all that apply.

The healthcare provider has given a written order. The patient is potentially dangerous to other patients

The night shift nurse is 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?

The night shift nurse is 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?

The hospital administrators warn the nurse about being negligent while providing patient care. Which is the most appropriate reason for the warning?

The nurse has threatened a patient with the use of physical restraints to control the patient. 2 The nurse has published the wrong assessment findings of a patient in a scientific journal. Correct 3 The nurse has given an excessive dose of hepatotoxic drug to a patient with liver failure. 4 The nurse has informed the spouse about the patient's disease without the patient's consent

Hospital administrators have warned the healthcare team about invasion of a patient's privacy. Which could have been the reason for this warning?

The nurse read text messages on the patient's cell phone

The nurse is preparing to give cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to a patient with cardiac arrest. The healthcare provider orders the nurse and code team to avoid resuscitating the patient. Which is the most appropriate reason for this?

The patient has given a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order

An 8-year-old girl is brought to the emergency room with severe abdominal pain. The nurse has to get consent before medical treatment can be started. The parents of the child are divorced, and the mother has custody. The patient is accompanied by her mother, father, and elder sister, who is 19 years old. Who should sign the consent form of the patient?

The patient's mother

The nurse is sued for failure to monitor a patient appropriately after a procedure. Which statements are correct about this lawsuit? Select all that apply.

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

The nurse is working the night shift in an emergency room. The nurse receives a patient who is violent toward the staff. The patient is uncooperative and hysterical. The nurse decides to use restraints on this patient. Which are indications for using restraints? Select all that apply.

There is a written order from the healthcare provider. All other less restrictive interventions are unsuccessful. The patient may harm other patients

The nurse is studying the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act. What is the meaning of the term patient dumping?

Transferring a patient from a private to a public hospital without appropriate screening and stabilization