Chapter 7

A client being discharged from the hospital asks the nurse, "When I go visit my family out of state, should I take my living will with me, or do I need a new one for that state?" What is the most appropriate response made by the nurse? "A living will can only be used in the state it was created in." "We have it on file here, so any hospital can call and get a copy." "As long as your family knows your medical wishes, you will not need it." "Take it with you. It is recognized universally in the United States."

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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): will. advance directive. license. standard of care.

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Nurse practice acts are examples of which type of laws? administrative laws constitutional laws common laws statutory laws.

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A nurse is caring for a client following endotracheal intubation. Before applying soft wrist restraints to prevent the client from pulling out the endotracheal tube, what is the most appropriate action of the nurse? Get written consent. Obtain a medical order. Notify the family. Sedate the client.

Obtain a medical order. Explanation: Nurses must obtain a medical order before each and every instance in which they use restraints. Due to the severity of the client illness requiring endotracheal intubation, the client may not be able to provide a written consent. The client does not need to be sedated unless medically necessary, and although it is appropriate to notify the family, this is not the priority

In comparison with licensure, which measures entry-level competence, what does certification validate? a. Specialty knowledge and clinical judgment b. Ability to practice in more than one area c. More than 10 years of nursing practice d. Innocence of any disciplinary violation

Specialty knowledge and clinical judgment Correct response: Specialty knowledge and clinical judgment Explanation: Whereas licensure measures entry-level competence, certification validates specialty knowledge, experience, and clinical judgment. Certification does not validate innocence, years of practice, or ability in multiple practice areas.

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 not protect the nurse because she did not accept compensation. b) The Good Samaritan law is not applicable to health care workers. c) The Good Samaritan law will provide legal immunity to the nurse. d) The Good Samaritan law will provide absolute exemption from prosecution.

The Good Samaritan law will provide legal immunity to the nurse. Explanation: The Good Samaritan laws provide legal immunity to passersby who provide emergency first aid to victims of accidents. Therefore, the law is applicable to the nurse as well; moreover, the nurse did not accept any compensation for the service provided. The law is equally applicable to everyone, but does not provide absolute exemption from prosecution in cases of negligence. Paramedics, ambulance personnel, physicians, and nurses who stop to provide assistance are still held to a higher standard of care because they have training above and beyond that of average laypeople. In cases of gross negligence, health care workers may be charged with a criminal offense.

A nurse comes across a screaming child in the park. The child was hit by a baseball bat, resulting in a swollen and reddened left arm. Any attempt to move the child's left arm results in the child screaming intensely. The nurse used two baseball bats to make a splint, which she applied to the child's left arm. The child is transported to the hospital and later develops compartmental syndrome of the left arm. The nurse requests a meeting with the nurse attorney to discuss the possibility of being involved in a lawsuit by the child's family. After a review of the events, which important information will the attorney share with the nurse concerning the case? The nurse should have waited for help because the Good Samaritan Act states the nurse is not obligated to assist. The nurse does not fall under the Good Samaritan Act because it is apparent she was negligent in the care she rendered. The nurse is protected by the Good Samaritan Act, which states the nurse may give emergency care using good judgment. The nurse was negligent because the client developed compartmental syndrome due to her treatment at the scene.

The nurse is protected by the Good Samaritan Act, which states the nurse may give emergency care using good judgment. Explanation: The nurse is protected by the Good Samaritan Act, which states the health practitioner may give emergency care in a prudent manner using good judgment. The nurse used two sturdy objects to immobilize the child's arm; therefore, she was not grossly negligent. A prudent nurse would have done the same. The Good Samaritan Act states the health care practitioner is not obligated to assist; however, it protects the practitioner if she decides to render emergency care.

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 negligence misdemeanor tort

felony Explanation: A felony is a serious criminal offense, and includes actions such as stealing narcotics, murder, falsifying medical records, and insurance fraud. A misdemeanor is a minor criminal offense; a tort is a lawsuit in which a plaintiff charges that a defendant committed a deliberately aggressive act. Negligence is harm that results because a person did not act reasonably.

A nurse is overheard in the hospital cafeteria making false comments about a client. The nurse is guilty of: libel. invasion of privacy. assault. slander.

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

invasion of privacy.

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. "In the event of an emergency that threatens a client's life or health, consent is not needed." "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." "My signature as a witness indicates the consent is signed and I saw the client sign it." "When a client is having surgery, it is my responsibility to get the consent."

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A physician is called to see a client with angina. During the visit the physician advises the nurse to decrease the atenolol to 12.5 mg. However, since the physician is late for another visit, she requests that the nurse write down the order for her. What should be the appropriate nursing action in this situation? The nurse should ask the physician to come back and write the order. The nurse should remind the physician later to write the work order. The nurse should write the order and implement it. The nurse should inform the client of the change in medication..

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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? defamation of character battery assault fraud

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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? Certification Licensure Accreditation Validation

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The nursing student talks with her family about an AIDS client from the clinical experience. Which tort has the student committed? Invasion of privacy Fraud Slander Assault

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Which nursing student would most likely be held liable for negligence? A nursing student performs a dressing change using sterile technique and documents the presence of necrotic tissue in the wound. A nursing student reports that insulin was not administered to the client by the nurse on the previous shift. A nursing student completes an incident report after administering a medication to a client who then experienced an adverse reaction to the medication. A nursing student administers medication to a resident while working as an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) at a local nursing home.

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Which process evaluates and recognizes educational programs as having met certain standards? Accreditation Licensure Certification Credentialing

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

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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. The nurse removed the client from the emergency department waiting room into a private area to collect assessment data. During a bed bath, the nurse exposed the client's upper torso while washing the client's face. The nurse questioned the client about her social life even though it did not affect care planning. With the client's permission, the nurse explained the client's diagnosis to the client's spouse. Because the facility is a teaching facility, the nurse allowed the nursing student to take the client's picture for his care plan.

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The charge nurse overhears a staff nurse threatening to restrain a verbally abusive client if the abuse continues. The charge nurse meets with the staff nurse to discuss this behavior. Which legal tort, if identified by the charge nurse, would alert the staff nurse to potential criminal charges? Invasion of privacy Assault Defamation of character Negligence

Assault Explanation: Assault is threatening to touch a person, such as by applying restraints, without consent. Sharing a client's confidential information without consent is an invasion of privacy. When a person performs an act that a reasonable person would not do under the same circumstance, it is negligence. Defamation of character occurs when derogatory statements that are defamatory against another person's character/reputation are made.

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? To provide a method for deciding the nurse's fault in the incident To provides information to local, state, and federal agencies To evaluate quality care and potential risks for injury to the client To evaluate the immediate care provided by the nurse to the client

To evaluate quality care and potential risks for injury to the client Explanation: An incident report is a written account of an unusual, potentially injurious event involving a client, employee, or visitor. Incident reports determine how to prevent hazardous situations and serve as a reference in case of future litigation. Accurate and detailed documentation often helps to prove that the nurse acted reasonably or appropriately in the circumstances. It may not always serve as a method of determining the nurse's fault in the incident. The document does not evaluate the immediate care provided to the client but states the actions taken.

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 single witness is sufficient for a will. Witnesses to a signature do not need to read the will. A beneficiary to a will is allowed to act as a witness. Witnesses do not need to observe the signing of the will and can sign it at a later time.

d) Witnesses to a signature do not need to read the will. Witnesses to the signature on a will do not need to read it, but they should be sure the document being signed is a will and not some other document. Witnesses should watch the testator sign the will, and they should sign in the presence of each other. A beneficiary to a will is not allowed to act as a witness in most states. Two or three witnesses are most commonly required on a will.

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? unintentional tort defamation of client negligence of duty invasion of privacy

invasion of privacy Explanation: The nurse has committed the tort of invasion of privacy. Personal names and identities are concealed or obliterated in case studies or research work. Invasion of privacy is a type of intentional tort. Defamation is an act in which untrue information harms a person's reputation, and is therefore not applicable here. Negligence is the harm that results because a person did not act reasonably.