Fundamentals

A nursing student is recalling the definitions of acts that are classified as torts in nursing practice. Which tort involves intentional touching without the client's consent? 1 Battery 2 Invasion of privacy 3 False imprisonment 4 Defamation of character

1 Battery is defined as intentional touching without the client's consent; this action may cause an injury or may be offensive to the client's personal dignity. Invasion of privacy is the announcement of a client's medical information to an unauthorized person. False imprisonment occurs when the nurse places the client in restraints without the approval of the primary healthcare provider. Defamation of character is the publication of false statements that result in damage to a person's reputation.

A nursing student is evaluating statements regarding the five levels of proficiency set forth by Benner. Which statement indicates that a nurse is in the advanced beginner stage? 1 The nurse is learning about the profession through a specific set of rules and procedures. 2 The nurse is able to identify the basic principles of nursing care through careful observation. 3 The nurse is able to understand the organization and specific care required by certain clients. 4 The nurse is able to assess the entire situation and transfer knowledge gained from multiple previous experiences.

2 The nurse is able to identify the basic principles of nursing care through careful observation. According to the levels of proficiency set forth by Benner, a nurse in the advanced beginner stage is able to identify basic principles of nursing care through careful observation. A nurse in the novice stage learns about the profession through a specific set of rules and procedures. After reaching the competent stage, a nurse will be able to understand the organization and specific care required by certain clients. A nurse who has reached the proficient stage is able to assess an entire situation and transfer knowledge gained from multiple previous experiences.

What is a living will? 1 It is a legal document that allows registered nurses to offer special skills to the public. 2 It is an order that directs primary healthcare providers to refrain from reviving clients. 3 It is a written document that directs treatment according to the client's wishes, in case of a terminal illness or condition. 4 It is a legal document that designates a person or persons chosen by a client to make health care decisions on his/her behalf.

3 It is a written document that directs treatment according to the client's wishes, in case of a terminal illness or condition.

A nursing student is listing examples of active and passive health promotion strategies. Which strategy is an example of a passive health promotion strategy? 1 Weight-reduction program 2 Smoking-cessation program 3 Drug abuse prevention strategy 4 Fluoridation of municipal drinking water

4 Fluoridation of municipal drinking water Passive strategies of health promotion help people benefit from the activities of others without direct involvement. The fluoridation of municipal drinking water is an example of a passive health promotion strategy. Active strategies of health promotion require clients to adopt specific programs for improving health. Weight-reduction programs, smoking-cessation programs, and drug abuse prevention strategies are examples of active health promotion activities.

What are the important points to be considered when imparting practical knowledge to nursing students about preventing complications in the hospital?

Nursing students should never be assigned to perform tasks for which they are unprepared. A nursing student can work as a nursing assistant or a nurse's aide when not attending classes. In case anyone instructs a nursing student to perform a task that he or she is unprepared for, the nursing supervisor should be notified as soon as possible. A nursing student is indeed accountable if a client is harmed. A nursing student is not an employee of the hospital and he or she cannot act as a witness to consent forms because these forms are legal documents.

A client with cancer is undergoing treatment in a hospital. The nurse finds the orders from the primary healthcare provider inappropriate. Clarification from the healthcare provider does not resolve the nurse's doubts. Who should the nurse contact and inform next? 1 Risk manager 2 Nursing student 3 Supervising nurse 4 Nurse administrator

3. The nurse should go to the supervising nurse or follow the established chain of command if he or she finds any discrepancies in the primary healthcare provider's orders. All nurses must act as risk managers, depending upon the situation. The nurse in question should follow the established chain of command to address his or her doubts. A nursing student is still a novice and is too inexperienced to handle such matters. A nurse administrator manages client care and the delivery of specific nursing services within a healthcare agency; a nurse administrator is not the appropriate person to ask for help in solving the problem at hand.

Which nursing action is not likely to cause legal issues? 1 Using restraints on a non-cooperative client 2 Refraining from reporting suspected child abuse 3 Refraining from leaving the client during a staffing shortage 4 Allowing nursing assistive personnel (NAP) to administer medications

3 Refraining from leaving the client during a staffing shortage The nurse should not abandon clients if there is a staffing shortage. This action helps to avoid legal complications. Using restraints without the order of the primary healthcare provider may lead to battery and false imprisonment charges. The nurse should always report cases of suspected child abuse. A nurse should never allow nursing assistive personnel (NAP) to administer medications because this action may lead to malpractice charges.