Chapter 07: Legal Dimensions of Nursing Practice (1)

When the nurse informs a client's employer of the client's autoimmune deficiency disease, the nurse is committing the tort of: pg. 125-126

invasion of privacy.

A nurse threatens to restrain a verbally abusive client if the abuse continues. Which legal tort has the nurse committed? pg. 125

Assault

Which is true of the Occupational Safety and Health Act? pg. 141

It helps to reduce workforce injuries and illnesses in the workplace.

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? pg. 126

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

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? pg. 112

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

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? pg. 133

A surrogate decision maker

A client informs the nurse about leaving the health care facility because the client is not satisfied with the treatment. The nurse knows that the client's treatment is incomplete and further testing and evaluations are scheduled. Which action by the nurse would be most appropriate to prevent false imprisonment? pg. 127

Ask the client to sign a release without medical approval.

A client has a prescription for amoxicillin 500 mg P.O. every 8 hours. The nurse administers the medication via the intravenous route. Based on the nurse's action, the client develops complications and has an increased length of stay. The client files a lawsuit against the facility and the nurse. Which legal action has the nurse's attorney identified that meets the criteria for the client's lawsuit? pg. 127

Malpractice

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? pg. 138

To evaluate the quality of care provided and assess the potential risks for injury to the client

When talking with family over dinner, the nurse shares about a client with infertility at the hospital, identifying the person by name. Which tort has the nurse committed? pg. 126

Invasion of privacy

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 how the Good Samaritan law applies to this case? pg. 141

The Good Samaritan law will provide legal immunity to the nurse.

A student nurse is assisting an older adult client to ambulate following hip replacement surgery when the client falls and reinjures the hip. Who is potentially responsible for the injury to this client? pg. 141

The student nurse, the nurse instructor, and the hospital

A nurse from the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) transports a client in the elevator with a nurse from the intensive care unit (ICU). There are staff members and visitors in the elevator as well. Which response from the ICU nurse is appropriate when the PACU nurse begins the report? pg. 103

"Wait and give me a report in the room at the bedside."

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 adult child to direct the client's care, is: pg. 140

an advance directive.

Which is an example of an unintentional tort? pg. 125

A nurse gives the client a medication, and the client has an adverse reaction to it.

The nurse is providing care to a client who had orthopedic surgery. The nurse has medicated the client for pain. However, the client reports that the pain is unrelieved. The nurse takes no further action regarding assessment and intervention for the client's pain. The nurse does not notify the surgeon regarding the client's pain. The nurse's failure to take further action represents which element of liability in this case? pg. 128

Breach of duty

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. pg. 128

Breach of duty has occurred

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? pg. 128

Duty

A family brings the client to the emergency department in an unconscious state with a head injury. The client requires surgery to remove a blood clot. What would be the appropriate nursing intervention in keeping with the policy of informed consent prior to a surgical procedure? pg. 133

The nurse confirms that the client's family has signed the consent form.

Nurses are occasionally asked to witness a testator's (person who makes the will) signing of a will. Which guideline is true regarding a nurse's role in witnessing a testator's signature? pg. 142

Witnesses to a signature do not need to read the will.