Prof Questions
11. 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. A: Duty B: Intent to harm C: Breach of duty D: Causation E: Punitive damages F: Fraud
A,C,D
5. A new graduate wants to be knowledgeable about state-mandated rules to better practice within the scope of nursing. What are the best resources for this nurse to research? Select all that apply. A: Nurse practice acts B: Medicare and Medicaid provisions for reimbursement of nursing services C: Nursing educational requirements D: Delegation trees E: Composition and disciplinary authority of board of nursing F: Medication administration
A,C,E
7. During a clinical placement on a subacute, geriatric medicine unit, a student nurse fed a stroke patient some beef broth despite the fact that the patient's diet was restricted to thickened fluids. As a result, the patient aspirated and developed pneumonia. Which of the following statements underlies the student's potential liability in this situation? A: The same standards of care that apply to a registered nurse apply to the student. B: The student and the nursing instructor share liability for this lapse in care. C: The patient's primary nurse is liable for failing to ensure that delegated care was appropriate. D: The student's potential liability is likely negated by the insurance carried by the school of nursing.
A
1. Which statements by a nurse to a charge nurse indicate that the nurse requires further training? Select all that apply. A: "When I sign the consent form as a witness, I am saying that the person knows all the risks and benefits of the procedure." B: "I must make sure I give the client all necessary information about the procedure before I have the client sign the consent form." C: "When a client is having surgery, it is my responsibility to get the consent." D: "My signature as a witness indicates the consent is signed and I saw the client sign it." E: "In the event of an emergency that threatens a client's life or health, consent is not needed."
A,B,C
10. A nurse is part of a group named in a malpractice lawsuit. The plaintiff is suing for general damages. Which items would be addressed? Select all that apply. A: Pain B: Suffering C: Disfigurement D: Disability E: Medical expenses F: Lost wages
A,B,C,D
12. A nurse has started a new job and is weighing the pros and cons of obtaining professional liability insurance. Why would the nurse choose to obtain professional liability insurance? Select all that apply. A: It provides for an attorney to represent the nurse in malpractice cases. B: It covers incidents that occur during employment even after the nurse has left that employment. C: It covers advice and care given outside the employment area. D: The nurse must obtain it now or face being ineligible in a month. E: It covers issues such as libel and slander.
A,B,C,E
2. The nurse is on the way to work and witnesses a motor vehicle accident. The nurse has a first aid kit in the car. No emergency medical personnel have arrived. What actions by the nurse would be protected by Good Samaritan laws? Select all that apply. A: Splints an extremity in which a broken bone is present B: Applies a gauze dressing to an open wound C: Initiates cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for a person who has stopped breathing D: Starts an intravenous (IV) access in a person's arm E: Fails to obtain consent to provide treatment to a victim who is unresponsive
A,B,C,E
14. The nurse attorney provides an educational session to the nursing staff on acts of negligence. Which responses by the staff would indicate to the attorney that the staff can accurately identify acts of negligence? Select all that apply. A: "I can be charged with negligence if I apply a heating pad to the client's skin and the client suffers a superficial or first-degree burn." B: "I can be charged with negligence if I follow the policy for administering insulin and the client has a reaction to it." C: "I can be charged with negligence if I am following the standards of care for my specialty, which is ambulatory nursing." D: "When I am using a new piece of equipment for the first time, I must make sure I know how to properly operate it." E: "I can be charged with negligence if I notify the health care practitioner about a change in a client's status but do not follow up or document.
A,E
3. Which scenarios are examples of a nurse committing a tort? Select all that apply. A: The nurse applied a vest restraint to an older adult client who is confused and has an unsteady gait. The client is constantly getting out of the chair. B: The nurse told the client, "The doctor prescribed this medication, and you must take it. I'll force you to take it." C: The nurse tells another employee, "Everyone knows the previous nurse does not do the job and charts medications not administered." D: The nurse is part of a team who forcibly restrained an out-of-control client who was threatening self-harm. E: The nurse administered a sedative medication to a sleeping client because the client's child requested the parent receive it.
B,C,E
4. The evening nurse received a change-of-shift report from the day nurse. The day nurse's report states, "The client required intubation for respiratory distress this morning, but has been stable all day." The evening nurse collects the following information during the first assessment: Skin flushed. Client lethargic. Temperature 103.0°F (39.4°C). A review of the client's chart reveals that the client's last assessment was done 7 hours earlier. A review of the findings by the nurse attorney determines which facts might be in place regarding liability? Select all that apply. A: Duty has not occurred since the evening nurse just started the shift. B: The facility will have to fire the nurse for malpractice. C: Breach of duty has occurred. D: The facility will settle the case. E: The spouse was notified of the change in condition.
C
13. A nurse has been providing care to a client in the home for years. The nurse is asked to witness the client's signature on a will. What factors should cause the nurse to question whether to act as a witness on this document? Select all that apply. A: The client knows what the client is doing. B: The client is alert and free of drugs that could distort thinking. C: A relative is telling the client, "You must sign this document now." D: The nurse did not watch the client sign the will. E: The nurse is included as a beneficiary in the will.
C,D,E
6. Nurses may commit both intentional and unintentional torts when practicing within the profession. What intentional torts may occur in nursing practice? Select all that apply. A: A nurse forgets to put the side rails up on a crib and the toddler falls out. B: A nurse does not report a change in client condition in a timely manner. C: A nurse threatens to hit an older client who has dementia and is screaming. D: A nurse seeks employment in a hospital after falsifying credentials on a resume. E: A nurse places a client who is a fall risk in restraints without an order from the health care provider. F: A nurse makes disparaging remarks to the staff about a client who has a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
C,D,E,F
8. The health care provider prescribes cold therapy every 4 hours for a client after foot surgery. The nurse places the ice pack directly on the client's skin and returns 60 minutes later. After removal of the ice pack, the skin is pale and cold to the touch. The client develops frostbite and begins a lawsuit for malpractice. When reviewing the case, the nurse attorney recognizes which most important statement about the malpractice suit? A: The client has a responsibility to report loss of sensation to prevent frostbite. B: The standard of care was established, so the nurse will not be held liable. C: The client will have difficulty finding causation. D: All elements are in place to hold the nurse liable.
D
9. A nurse caring for an older adult client following a total abdominal hysterectomy documents administration of morphine 4 mg intravenously for pain of 8 on a 1-10 scale, bed in the lowest position, bed alarm on, side rails up times two, and call light in reach. After the nurse leaves the room, the client gets out of bed and falls. In which order should the nurse proceed? A: Assess the client for injury. B: Assist the client back into bed. C: Notify the physician. D: Document the incident. E: Complete an incident report.
In order, ABCDE