exam 1 legal issues

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

After reporting to work for a night shift, the nurse learns that the unit is understaffed because two RNs called out sick. As a result, each nurse on the unit must provide care for four acute clients in addition to the nurse's regular clients. Which statement is true for this nurse when working in understaffed circumstances?

The client should be treated with antibiotics for pneumonia

A client in a long-term care facility has signed a form stating that he does not want to be resuscitated. He develops an upper respiratory infection that progresses to pneumonia. His health rapidly deteriorates, and he is no longer competent. The client's family states that they want everything possible done for the client. What should happen in this case?

Let the client go after signing a document stating that the client is going against medical advice.

A client informs the nurse that the client wants to discontinue treatment and go home. Later, the nurse finds the client dressed to leave. Which action should the nurse take in this situation?

A surrogate decision maker

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?

Call a code and begin resuscitating the client.

A graduate nurse enters a client's room and finds the client unresponsive, not breathing, and without a carotid pulse. The graduate nurse is aware that the client has mentioned that he does not wish to be resuscitated, but there is no DNR order on the client's chart. What is the nurse's best action?

Slander

A nurse is overheard in the hospital cafeteria making false, derogatory comments about a client. The nurse is guilty of:

identifying risks and ensuring future safety for clients

A nurse on a night shift entered an older adult client's room during a scheduled check and discovered the client on the floor beside the bed, the result of falling when trying to ambulate to the washroom. After assessing the client and assisting into the bed, the nurse has completed an incident report. What is the primary purpose of this particular type of documentation?

Calling the client information desk to find out the room number of the family member

A nurse was informed that a family member was involved in a car accident and transported to the emergency department in the same facility. What action by the nurse best demonstrates understanding of client privacy?

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?

have the right to copy their health records.

According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) passed in 1996, clients:

"The rules made by the board of nursing don't reflect my practice."

Action has been taken against a nurse's license based on a claim that the nurse acted outside of nursing's scope of practice. The nurse's attorney determines that the nurse needs more education about the purpose of the board of nursing when the nurse makes which statement?

Battery

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

Administering a lethal dose of medication

Assisted suicide is expressly prohibited under statutory or common law in the overwhelming majority of states. Yet public support for physician-assisted suicide has resulted in a number of state ballot initiatives. The issue of assisted suicide is opposed by nursing and medical organizations as a violation of the ethical traditions of nursing and medicine. Which scenario would be an example of assisted suicide?

whether the client has a document describing wishes for care when the client is no longer able to make decisions.

On admission to the hospital, each client is asked whether the client has a living will or a durable power of attorney. If not, the admitting staff person provides a sample form to the client if wanted. The purpose of this inquiry is to determine:

To protect the safety of the public

Professional regulations and laws that govern nursing practice are in place for which reason?

specify the treatment measures that the client wants and does not want.

The children of a male client with late-stage Alzheimer disease have informed the nurse on the unit that their father possesses a living will. The nurse should recognize that this document is most likely to:

Duty

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?

Notify the health care provider to add the route and then administer the medication when complete

The nurse is reviewing a medication prescription for a client prior to administration and observes that the route of administration is not present in the prescription. What is the appropriate action by the nurse to address this omission?

witnessing the signed informed consent document

What is the nurse's role in the informed consent process for a surgical procedure?

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

Which scenario is an example of certification?

Document the client's claims and the events surrounding the alleged incident.

client states that the client's recent fall was caused by his scheduled antihypertensive medications being 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?

"I cannot give you that information due to client confidentiality."

While a client admitted to the medical-surgical unit is in the radiology department, a visitor claiming to be the client's cousin arrives on the medical-surgical unit and asks the nurse to provide a brief outline of the client's illness. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate, both legally and professionally?

The first nurse could be charged with slander.

While at a coworker's house, a nurse discusses with the coworker a client whom the nurse suspects of physically abusing the client's child. The next day, the client is moved to another nursing unit after a surgical procedure and comes under the care of the coworker, who is also a nurse. The coworker confronts the client about the alleged physical abuse. The client is shocked and angered by the accusation and denies it categorically. What would be the charge if the client were to file a suit?