Legal, Ethics & Culture Quiz
A nurse is caring for a client who is a practicing Jehovah's Witness. The physician orders two units of packed cells based on his low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. The nurse states to the surgeon that it is unethical to go against the patient's beliefs even though his blood counts are very low. What is the best description of the nurse's intentions? A. Acting in the patient's best interest B. Being legally responsible C. Observing institutional policies D. Siding with the patient over the surgeon
A. Acting in the patient's best interest Nurses' ethical obligations include acting in the best interest of their clients, not only as individual practitioners, but also as members of the nursing profession, the health care team, and the community at large.
A client refuses to have a pain medication administered by injection. A nurse says, "If you don't let me give you the shot, I will get help to hold you down and give it." With what crime might the nurse be charged? A. Assault B. Defamation C. Negligence D. Battery
A. Assault Assault and battery are intentional torts. Assault is a threat or attempt to make bodily contact with another person without that person's consent. Threatening to forcibly administer an injection after the patient has refused it is assault. Battery is an assault that is carried out and includes willful, angry, and violent or negligent touching of another person's body, clothes, or anything attached to or held by that other person. Negligence is defined as performing an act that a reasonably prudent person under similar circumstances would not do or, conversely, failing to perform an act that a reasonably prudent person under similar circumstances would do. Defamation is an intentional tort in which one party makes derogatory remarks about another that diminish the other party's reputation.
A nurse has been named as a defendant in a lawsuit. With whom should the nurse discuss the case? A. Attorney B. Plaintiff C. Colleagues D. Reporters
A. Attorney The nurse should only discuss the case with the attorney representing him or her and/or the institution. Recommendations for the nurse as defendant include not discussing the case with anyone at the employing agency (except the risk manager), the plaintiff, the plaintiff's lawyer, anyone testifying for the plaintiff, or reporters.
All of the following are factors to consider when caring for clients with limited income. Which one is the most important? A. Basic human needs may go unmet B. Decreased access to health care services C. Limited access to reliable transportation D. Risk for increased incidence of disease
A. Basic human needs may go unmet Poverty prevents many people from consistently meeting their basic human needs. Limited means of transportation, decreased access to health care services, and an increased incidence of disease are also influenced by limited income, but meeting one's basic human needs is the most important factor.
When the nurse inserts an ordered urinary catheter into the client's urethra after the client has refused the procedure, and then the client suffers an injury, the client may sue the nurse for which type of tort? A. Battery B. Dereliction of duty C. Assault D. Invasion of privacy
A. Battery Battery is the actual carrying out of such threat (unlawful touching of a person's body). A nurse may be sued for battery if he or she fails to obtain consent for a procedure.
A nurse is caring for a client who is a celebrity in the area. A person claiming he is a family member inquires about the medical details of the client. The nurse reveals the information but later comes to find out that the person was not a family member. The nurse has violated which of the following? A. Confidentiality B. Autonomy C. Veracity D. Fidelity
A. Confidentiality The nurse has violated the principle of confidentiality by revealing the client's personal medical information to a third person. Confidentiality is a professional duty and a legal obligation. What is documented in the client's record is accessible only to those providing care to that client. The nurse's action does not violate rules of veracity, fidelity, or autonomy. Fidelity means being faithful to one's commitments and promises. Veracity means telling the truth, which is essential to the integrity of the client-provider relationship. Autonomy involves a client making his or her own decisions.
A student nurse is working in the library on her plan of care for a clinical assignment. The client's name is written at the top of her plan. What ethical responsibility is the student violating? A. Confidentiality B. Trust C. Accountability D. Informed consent
A. Confidentiality The student is violating confidentiality. Confidentiality is violated when patients are identified by name on written documents available to those who are not directly responsible for their care.
What is the term that describes the inability of a person to recognize his or her own values, beliefs, and practices as well as those of others, because of strong ethnocentric tendencies? A. Cultural blindness B. Stereotyping C. Cultural imposition D. Acculturation
A. Cultural blindness Cultural blindness occurs when one ignores differences and proceeds as though they do not exist, resulting in bias and stereotyping. Acculturation is the process by which members of a culture adapt or learn how to take on the behaviors of another group. Cultural imposition is the tendency to impose one's cultural beliefs, values, and patterns of behavior on a person from a different culture. Stereotyping is when one assumes that all members of a culture, ethnic group, or race act alike.
When providing first aid in an emergency situation outside a medical facility, it is important for the nurse to have knowledge of the: A. Good Samaritan Act. B. Nurse Practice Act. C. Patient's Bill of Rights. D. Standards of care.
A. Good Samaritan Act.
Most nurses have been taught to maintain direct eye contact when communicating with clients. Some cultural groups would not value direct eye contact with the nurse. Which cultural group would consider the direct eye contact impolite? A. Native Americans B. British C. Americans D. Canadians
A. Native Americans Eye contact is also a culturally determined behavior. Although most nurses have been taught to maintain eye contact when speaking with patients, some people from certain cultural backgrounds may interpret this behavior differently. For example, some Asians, Native Americans, Indo-Chinese, Arabs, and Appalachians may consider direct eye contact impolite or aggressive, and they may avert their eyes when talking with nurses and others whom they perceive to be in positions of authority.
A home care nurse visits a client who is confined to bed and is cared for by her daughter. The daughter is known to suffer from chemical dependence. The home is cluttered and unclean. During the assessment the nurse notes that the client is wet with urine and has dried feces on her buttocks, and demonstrates signs of dehydration. After caring for the client, the nurse contacts the physician and reports the incident to Adult Protective Services. This is an example of which ethical framework? A. Nonmaleficence B. Autonomy C. Justice D. Fidelity
A. Nonmaleficence The principle of nonmaleficence means to avoid doing harm, to remove harm, and to prevent harm. Autonomy means to respect the rights of clients or their surrogates to make healthcare decisions. Justice means to give each his or her due. Fidelity means to keep promises.
A nurse using the principle-based approach to client care seeks to avoid causing harm to clients in all situations. What is this principle known as? A. Nonmaleficence B. Autonomy C. Justice D. Fidelity
A. Nonmaleficence The principle-based approach to ethics combines elements of both utilitarian and deontologic theories and offers specific action guides for practice. The Beauchamp and Childress principle-based approach to bioethics (2001) identifies four key principles: autonomy (promote self-determination), nonmaleficence (avoid causing harm), beneficence (benefit the patient), and justice (act fairly).
An older adult woman of Chinese ancestry refuses to eat at the nursing home, stating, "I'm just not hungry." What factors should the staff assess for this problem? A. The food served may not be culturally appropriate. B. The woman is using this as a means of going home. C. The food served may violate religious beliefs. D. The woman does not like to eat with other residents of the home.
A. The food served may not be culturally appropriate. Residents in long-term care settings often do not have much choice of foods. As a result, they may not be able to select cultural food preferences. When assessing the cause of decreased appetite in clients, the nurse should determine whether the problem may be related to culture.
When providing care on an Indian reservation, the nurse has prioritized assessments for diabetes and fetal alcohol syndrome when working with residents of the reservation. How should this nurse's practice be best understood? A. The nurse is correct in assessing for health problems that have a higher incidence and prevalence among this population. B. The nurse should seek specific permission from each client before proceeding with these assessments. C. The nurse is performing cultural imposition of the majority American culture, and the accompanying beliefs around diabetes and alcohol use. D. The nurse is stereotyping American Indians as leading unhealthy lifestyles and abusing alcohol.
A. The nurse is correct in assessing for health problems that have a higher incidence and prevalence among this population. Because diabetes and fetal alcohol syndrome are known to have a higher incidence and prevalence among American Indians, Nurse K. is justified in reflecting this objective reality during health assessment. This action is rooted in epidemiology, not the inaccurate generalizations of stereotyping. Because the consequences of both problems are significant and objective, Nurse K. is not guilty of cultural imposition and specific permission for these assessments is not likely necessary.
A group of nurse researchers has proposed a study to examine the efficacy of a new wound care product. Which of the following aspects of the methodology demonstrates that the nurses are attempting to maintain the ethical principle of nonmaleficence? A. The nurses are taking every reasonable measure to ensure that no participants experience impaired wound healing as a result of the study intervention. B. The nurses have completed a literature review that suggests the new treatment may result in decreased wound healing time. C. The nurses have given multiple opportunities for potential participants to ask questions, and have been following the informed consent process systematically. D. The nurses have organized the study in such a way that the foreseeable risks and benefits are distributed as fairly as possible.
A. The nurses are taking every reasonable measure to ensure that no participants experience impaired wound healing as a result of the study intervention. The principle of nonmaleficence dictates that nurses avoid causing harm. In this study, this may appear in the form of taking measures to ensure that the intervention will not cause more harm than good. The principle of justice addresses the distribution of risks and benefits, and the informed consent process demonstrates that autonomy is being protected. Preliminary indications of the therapeutic value of the intervention show a respect for the principle of beneficence.
A nurse forgets to administer a client's diuretic and the client experiences an episode of pulmonary edema. This medication error would be considered negligence if it constituted which of the following? A. The unintentional failure to perform a health care procedure. B. The act of substituting a different medication for the one ordered. C. Failure to follow a direct order by a physician. D. The purposeful failure to perform a health care procedure.
A. The unintentional failure to perform a health care procedure.
A nurse is interviewing a newly admitted patient. Which question would be considered culturally sensitive? A. "Do you understand that we can't prepare special meals?" B. "What types of food do you eat for meals?" C. "Why can't you just eat our food while you are here?" D. "Do you think you would be able to eat the food we have here?"
B. "What types of food do you eat for meals?"
A client nearing the end of life requests that he be given no food or fluids. The physician orders the insertion of a nasogastric tube to feed the client. What situation does this create for the nurse providing care? A. A barrier to establishing an effective nurse-patient relationship B. An ethical dilemma about inconsistent courses of action C. An inability to provide care for the patient D. Nurse must follow the physician's orders
B. An ethical dilemma about inconsistent courses of action In an ethical dilemma, two or more clear moral principles apply but support mutually inconsistent courses of action. In this case, the nurse must decide what to do based on ethical decision making and take action that can be justified ethically based on that process.
A nurse asks a client why a diagnostic test has been ordered and the nurse replies, "I'm unsure but will find out for your." When the nurse later returns and provides an explanation, the nurse is acting under which principle? A. Nonmaleficence B. Fidelity C. Beneficence D. Veracity
B. Fidelity
Two nurses are discussing a client's condition in an elevator full of visitors. With what crime might the nurses be charged? A. Unintentional negligence B. Invasion of privacy C. Intentional negligence D. Defamation of character
B. Invasion of privacy Certain acts by nurses could constitute invasion of privacy, including talking about patients in public areas, such as elevators. This violates federal law. In this case, the nurses would not be charged with defamation or negligence.
Personal space and distance is a cultural perspective that can impact nurse-client interactions. What is the best way for the nurse to interact physically with a client who has a different cultural perspective on space and distance? A. Remember not to intrude into the personal space of the elderly. B. Know the client's cultural personal space preferences. C. Realize that sitting close to the client is an indication of warmth and caring. D. Sit three to six feet away from the patient in an attempt not to offend.
B. Know the client's cultural and personal space preferences. When providing nursing care that involves physical contact, you should know the client's cultural personal space preferences. Sitting close to, or too far away from, the patient may be interpreted as offensive. Age is not necessarily a deciding factor in regards to a person's cultural practices.
The nurse is providing home care for a client who traditionally drinks herbal tea to treat an illness. How should the nurse respond to a request for the herbal tea? A. Why in the world would you want to drink that stuff? B. Let me check with the doctor to make sure it is okay to drink the tea with your medicines. C. I have to fill out a lot of forms that you will have to sign before I can do that. D. We do not allow our clients to drink herbal tea.
B. Let me check with the doctor to make sure it is okay to drink the tea with your medicines. Herbs are a common method of treatment in many cultures. If a client traditionally drinks an herbal tea to alleviate symptoms of an illness, there is no reason why both the herbal tea and the prescribed medications cannot be used as long as the tea is safe to drink and does not interfere with, or exaggerate, the action of the medications. Asking why the patient would want to drink "that stuff" is demeaning to the patient. Answer D is incorrect because there is no paperwork necessary.
The nurse is admitting a new client to the unit. The nurse notes that this client would need an alternate meal choice when the menu specified pork for a meal. What cultural group would require an alternative meal choice? A. Protestant B. Muslim C. Mormon D. Christian
B. Muslim Many Muslim people abstain from eating pork.
A nurse does not assist with ambulation for a postoperative client on the first day after surgery. The client falls and fractures a hip. What charge might be brought against the nurse? A. Battery B. Negligence C. Assault D. Fraud
B. Negligence A tort is a civil wrong committed by a person against another person or his or her property. Negligence, an unintentional tort, occurs when a person fails to exercise reasonable care in the performance of his or her duties. In this situation, the nurse did not initiate proper precautions to prevent patient harm and is subject to the charge of negligence.
A home health nurse who performs a careful safety assessment of the home of a frail elderly patient to prevent harm to the patient is acting in accordance with which of the principles of bioethics? A. Fidelity B. Nonmaleficence C. Autonomy D. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
A professional nurse committed to the principle of autonomy would be careful to: A. Avoid causing harm to a patient. B. Provide the information and support a patient needed to make decisions to advance one's own interests. C. Keep any promises made to a patient or another caregiver. D. Treat each patient fairly, trying to give everyone his or her own due.
B. Provide the information and support a patient needed to make decisions to advance one's own interests.
An on-duty nurse discovers that her colleague is pilfering medicines. According to the Nurse Practice Acts, what should the nurse do? A. Inform the local police station B. Report the incident to the supervisor C. Discuss the incident with the colleague D. Keep silent and overlook the incident
B. Report the incident to the supervisor According to the Nurse Practice Acts, the nurse should report the incident to the supervisor. Laws are enacted to regulate the practice of nursing and may be used to decide upon an appropriate action. Discussing the incident with a colleague may alarm the nurse who is pilfering medicines and she may become cautious. The nurse should not overlook the incident because pilfering of medicines is an offense. Calling local police may lead to undue interference.
An individual has a seizure while walking down the street. During the seizure, a nurse from a physician's office is noticed driving past without stopping to assist. The individual sues the nurse for negligence but fails to win a judgement for which of the following reasons? A. The nurse did what most nurses would do in the same circumstance. B. The nurse has no duty to the individual. C. The nurse did not cause the client's injury. D. The nurse was off duty at the time.
B. The nurse has no duty to the individual.
A nurse in a large metropolitan city enjoys working in a health clinic that primarily serves Hispanic clients. What does this statement imply about the nurse? A. This employment makes the nurse feel superior to a minority group of people. B. The nurse respects and values providing culturally competent care. C. The nurse's knowledge and skills are not adequate to care for clients with acute illnesses. D. The nurse is attempting to overcome cultural blindness.
B. The nurse respects and values providing culturally competent care. The nurse who recognizes and respects cultural diversity has cultural sensitivity, avoids cultural imposition and ethnocentrism, and provides nursing care that accepts the significance of cultural factors in health and illness.
A client gets out of bed following hip surgery, falls, and re-injures her hip. The nurse caring for her knows that it is her duty to make sure an incident report is filed. Which of the following statements accurately describes the correct procedure for filing an incident report? A. The names of the staff involved should not be included. B. The report should contain all the variables related to the incident. C. The reports are used for disciplinary action against the staff. D. The physician in charge should fill out the report.
B. The report should contain all the variables related to the incident. An incident report, also called a variance or occurrence report, is used by health care agencies to document the occurrence of anything out of the ordinary that results in, or has the potential to result in, harm to a patient, employee, or visitor. The nurse responsible for a potentially (or actually) harmful incident or who witnesses an injury is the one who fills out the incident form. This form should contain the complete name of the person or people involved and the names of all witnesses; a complete factual account of the incident; the date, time, and place of the incident; pertinent characteristics of the person or people involved (e.g., alert, ambulatory, asleep) and of any equipment or resources being used; and any other variables believed to be important to the incident. These reports are used for quality improvement and should not be used for disciplinary action against staff members.
According to HIPAA regulations, which of the following is a client right regarding the client's medical record? Select all that apply. A. To make additions to the health record B. To restrict certain disclosures of the health record C. To cross out sections of the health record D. To see the health record E. To copy the health record
B. To restrict certain disclosures of the health record D. To see the health record E. To copy the health record According to HIPAA, clients have a right to see and copy their health record; to update their health record; to get a list of the disclosures a health care institution has made independent of disclosures made for the purposes of treatment, payment, and health care operations; to request a restriction on certain uses or disclosures; and to choose how to receive health information. The client may not make additions, cross out sections, or destroy the health record.
The nurse is participating in a seminar about legal and ethical practice of nursing for continuing education credit. Which statement by a nurse best describes the relationship between law and ethics for the practice of nursing? A. "Ethics represent the moral customs of an individual nurse, therefore, they cannot be regulated by the law." B. "Ethical practice decreases the threat of a lawsuit, which is the primary source of legal influence on nursing practice." C. " The ethics of a discipline attempt to formulate and justify responses to moral dilemmas and may or may not be regulated by law." D. "Laws dictate the ethics of nursing as they reflect societal choices about the ordering of relationships in society."
C. " The ethics of a discipline attempt to formulate and justify responses to moral dilemmas and may or may not be regulated by law."
Which of the following is the most frequent reason for revocation or suspension of a nurse's license? A. Mental impairment B. Fraud C. Alcohol or drug abuse D. Criminal acts
C. Alcohol or drug abuse A nurse's license may be suspended or revoked for fraud, deceptive practices, criminal acts, previous disciplinary action by other state boards, negligence, physical or mental impairments, or alcohol or drug abuse. The most frequent reason is alcohol or drug abuse.
A young Hispanic mother comes to the local clinic because her baby is sick. She speaks only Spanish and the nurse speaks only English. What should the nurse do? A. Explain why care can't be provided. B. Provide instructions in writing. C. Ask an interpreter for help. D. Use short words and talk more loudly.
C. Ask an interpreter for help.
A nurse provides client care within a philosophy of ethical decision making and professional expectations. What is the nurse using as a framework for practice? A. Standards of Care B. Values Clarification C. Code of Ethics D. Definition of Nursing
C. Code of Ethics A professional code of ethics provides a framework for making ethical decisions and sets forth professional expectations. Codes of ethics inform both nurses and society of the primary goals and values of the profession.
A client is suing a nurse for malpractice. What is the term for the person bringing suit? A. Litigator B. Witness C. Plaintiff D. Defendant
C. Plaintiff A lawsuit is a legal action in a court. Litigation is the process of bringing and trying a lawsuit. The person or government bringing suit against another is called the plaintiff. The one being accused of a crime or tort (defined later) is called the defendant. The defendant is presumed innocent until proved guilty of a crime or tort.
A client who has undergone resection of the intestine is on a liquid diet with a nasogastric tube in place. He refuses the food tray with regular food that comes to his room and insists that a physician be called. The nurse insists that it is the right food and makes the client take it. The client develops complications and has to be re-operated upon. How is negligence determined in this situation? A. The nurse insisted the patient have the solid food. B. The nurse did not call the physician when the client asked. C. The nurse did not realize the importance of the tube. D. The dietary department sent the wrong diet for the client.
C. The nurse did not realize the importance of the tube. Negligence is defined as harm that occurs because the person did not act reasonably. In this case, the nurse did not realize that the client was on a nasogastric tube, and should consequently have been on liquid feeds after intestinal surgery; as a result, the patient developed complications. The acts of not calling the physician and insisting the patient have food do not amount to negligence. The dietary department sending the wrong food is unrelated to the nurse.
A client who has difficulty sleeping expresses to the nurse that watching television may help him relax and get sleep. The nurse disregards the client's concern and suggests drinking warm milk before going to bed. Which cultural characteristic is the nurse demonstrating? A. Racism B. Relativity C. Stereotype D. Ethnocentrism
D. Ethnocentrism The nurse disregarding the client's concern is an example of ethnocentrism. Ethnocentric people view one's own culture as the only correct standard by which to view people of other cultures. Stereotypes are preconceived and untested beliefs about people. Racism uses skin color as the primary indicator of social value. Understanding that cultures relate differently to the same given situation is called relativity.
A nurse is providing nutritional counseling to culturally diverse patients with dietary restrictions. Which statement accurately describes a dietary concern based on a specific culture? A. Muslims may have special diets based on the hot/cold theory of treating illness. B. Many Native Americans follow a diet that is alcohol and pork free. C. Many White Americans have a diet that is high in starch. D. Asians often eat a diet that is high in salt.
D. Asians often eat a diet that is high in salt.
An Asian American male client is operated on for gallstones. On the postoperative night, the nurse finds that the client is not sleeping and is tossing and turning. When asked about analgesics, the client expresses that he does not have pain. What nursing action is most appropriate? A. Believing the client has no pain B. Inspecting the incision site for any abnormality C. Asking the client if he is feeling hungry D. Assessing for non-verbal expressions of pain
D. Assessing for non-verbal expressions of pain The nurse should be aware that in Asian American culture, men tend to control their emotions and expressions of physical discomfort. Keeping this in mind, the nurse should assess the client for non-verbal expressions of pain. The nurse should not believe the client when he says that he does not have pain because, after surgery, pain is likely to occur. The nurse may inspect the incision site, but it is not an appropriate action. Asking the client if he is hungry may be irrelevant.
A father, mother, grandmother, and three school-aged children have immigrated to the United States from Thailand. Which member(s) of the family are likely to learn to speak English more rapidly? A. Grandmother B. Stay-at-home mother C. Unemployed father D. Children
D. Children When people from another part of the world move to the United States, they may speak their own language fluently but have difficulty speaking English. This is especially true for women, older adults, and those who are unemployed. Children usually assimilate more rapidly and learn the language more quickly because they go to school each day and make new friends in the dominant culture.
Which of the following is the nurse's best legal safeguard? A. Collective bargaining B. Written or implied contracts C. Patient education D. Competent practice
D. Competent practice Competent practice is the nurse's most important and best legal safeguard. Each nurse is responsible for making sure his or her educational background and clinical experience are adequate to fulfill the nursing responsibilities described in the job description. Collective bargaining, written or implied contracts, and/or patient education do not provide the best legal safeguard.
A Mexican immigrant who migrated to the United States and lives in a Spanish-speaking community with other relatives is taken to the ER following a fall at work. He is admitted to the hospital for observation. The nurse is aware that this client is at risk for: A. Cultural blindness B. Cultural imposition C. Cultural assimilation D. Cultural shock
D. Cultural shock Culture shock refers to the feelings a person experiences when placed in a different culture perceived as strange. Culture shock may result in psychological discomfort or disturbances, as the patterns of behavior a person found acceptable and effective in his or her own culture may not be adequate or even acceptable in the new one. The person may then feel foolish, fearful, incompetent, inadequate, or humiliated.
A mother always thanks clerks at the grocery store. Her daughter age 6 years echoes her thank you. The child is demonstrating what mode of value transmission? A. Moralizing B. Responsible choice C. Reward and punishment D. Modeling
D. Modeling Through modeling, children learn of high or low value by observing parents, peers, and significant others. Modeling can thus lead to socially acceptable or unacceptable behaviors. Children whose caregivers use the moralizing mode of value transmission are taught a complete value system by parents or an institution (e.g., church or school) that allows little opportunity for them to weigh different values. Through rewarding and punishing, children are rewarded for demonstrating values held by parents and punished for demonstrating unacceptable values. Caregivers who follow the responsible-choice mode of value transmission encourage children to explore competing values and to weigh their consequences.
A nurse in a women's health clinic values abstinence as the best method of birth control. However, she offers compassionate care to unmarried pregnant adolescents. What is the nurse demonstrating? A. Modeling of value transmission B. Values conflict that may lead to stress C. Conflict in values acceptance D. Nonjudgmental "value neutral" care
D. Nonjudgmental "value neutral" care The nurse is demonstrating nonjudgmental "value neutral" care. This means she is respecting and accepting the individuality of patients, does not assume that her personal values are right, and does not judge the patients' values as right or wrong depending on their congruence with hers.
What is the legal source of rules of conduct for nurses? A. Agency policies and procedures B. American Nurses Association C. Constitution of the United States D. Nurse Practice Acts
D. Nurse Practice Acts Nurse Practice Acts are examples of statutory law, enacted by a legislative body in keeping with both the federal constitution and the applicable state constitution. They are the primary source of rules of conduct for nurses. Standards of practice, which differ from rules of conduct, are made by agency policies and protocols and by the American Nurses Association.
A nursing instructor has assigned a student to care for a client of Asian descent. The instructor reminds the student that personal space considerations vary among cultures. What personal space preferences are important for the student to consider when caring for this client? A. People of Asian descent prefer direct eye contact when communicating. B. People of Asian descent commonly stand close to one another when talking. C. People of Asian descent touch one another when sitting next to a familiar person. D. People of Asian descent prefer some distance between themselves and others.
D. People of Asian descent prefer some distance between themselves and others. Individuals of Asian descent are more comfortable with some distance between themselves and others. Direct eye contact may be considered impolite or aggressive within the Asian culture, and they may tend to avoid direct eye contact and avert their eyes while speaking with others.
A client is admitted with symptoms of psychosis. The nurse hurries to the client's room when she hears the client calling for help. She finds the client lying on the ground. The nurse assists the client back to the bed and performs a thorough assessment. The nurse informs the physician and completes the incident report. Which of the following statements should the nurse document in the incident report? A. The client was not aware that he had fallen. B. The client was trying to get out of the bed. C. The client was trying to lower the side rails. D. The client was found lying on the floor.
D. The client was found lying on the floor. An incident report is a written account of an unusual, potentially injurious event involving a client, employee, or visitor. All of the details given in the incident report should be accurate and not assumed. Accurate and detailed documentation helps to prove that the nurse acted reasonably or appropriately in the circumstance. The nurse should document that the client was found lying on the floor. The other statements are assumptions and should not be included in the incident report.
Which of the following aspects of nursing would be most likely defined by legislation at a state level? A. The criteria that a nurse must consider when delegating tasks to unlicensed care providers. B. The criteria that clients must meet in order to qualify for Medicare or Medicaid. C. The process that nurses must follow when handling and administering medications. D. The differences in the scope of practice between registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs).
D. The differences in the scope of practice between registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs). The scope of practice defines the parameters within which nurses provide care, and is established by state legislation, most commonly in the form of a Nurse Practice Act. The criteria and due process for delegation in the clinical setting is addressed by a state board of nursing. Qualification criteria for programs such as Medicare and Medicaid are established by federal legislation, while the process for safe and appropriate medication administration is defined and monitored by a state board of nursing.
During a clinical placement on a subacute, geriatric medicine unit, a student nurse fed a stroke client some beef broth, despite the fact that the client's diet was restricted to thickened fluids. As a result, the client aspirated and developed pneumonia. Which of the following statements underlies the student's potential liability in this situation? A. The patient's primary nurse is liable for failing to ensure that delegated care was appropriate. B. The student's potential liability is likely negated by the insurance carried by the school of nursing. C. The student and the nursing instructor share liability for this lapse in care. D. The same standards of care that apply to a registered nurse apply to the student.
D. The same standards of care that apply to a registered nurse apply to the student. Despite the fact that their knowledge and skills are still under development, nursing students are held to the same standards of care as registered nurses. Consequently, primary liability does not lie with the student's instructor or the patient's primary nurse. Insurance may be carried by the school of nursing, but this does not negate the student's legal responsibility to provide care at a high standard.