chapter 7: legal dimensions practice questions

An HIV-positive client discovers that the client's name is published in a research report on HIV care prepared by the client's nurse. The client is hurt and files a lawsuit against the nurse. Which offense has the nurse committed?

invasion of privacy

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.

A nurse and the facility have been named as defendants in a malpractice lawsuit. In addition to the nurse's attorney, whom else would be appropriate for the nurse to talk with about the case?

the agency's risk manager

A nurse confides in a nurse friend, "I never report minor incidents. The charge nurse always wants a variance report filled out and they take so much time." Which responses by the friend are indicated? Select all that apply.

"Having documentation might keep you out of trouble someday." "Reporting helps us fix problems that result in danger to clients."

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?" Which is the most appropriate response by the nurse?

"Take it with you. It is recognized universally in the United States."

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?

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

A nursing student administers an overdose of an opioid to a client and the client arrests. When discussing the incident with nursing faculty, which statements made by the student indicate the need for further teaching? Select all that apply.

-"I am glad I am a student because nursing faculty will be blamed, not me." -"I cannot be held liable because this is only my second time at this facility."

Which scenario is an example of certification?

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

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?

A surrogate decision maker

While walking down the hall, a nurse manager overhears a staff member telling a client, "If you don't stay in this chair and stop wandering, I'm going to tie you to it." The nurse manager pulls the staff member aside and discusses what was said. The nurse manager intervenes because the staff member's statement is which type of tort?

Assault

Having recently completed a specialty nursing program in neonatal care, a nurse is now preparing to leave the medical unit and begin providing care in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The nurse has completed which process of credentialing?

Certification

Which is true of the Occupational Safety and Health Act?

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

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?

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

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?

The first nurse could be charged with slander.

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

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

Nurses complete incident reports as dictated by the agency protocol. What is the primary reason nurses fill out an incident report?

To improve quality of care

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?

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

The client being admitted to the oncology unit conveys wishes regarding resuscitation in the event of cardiopulmonary arrest. The nurse advises the client that it would be in the client's best interest to obtain which document?

a living will

Which action constitutes battery?

An older adult client refuses an intramuscular injection, but the nurse administers it.

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?

duty

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?

breach of duty

A registered nurse who has an associate degree would like to obtain a baccalaureate degree in nursing. The nurse works full time and has several family obligations and would like to find a program that fits into that lifestyle. What is the nurse's priority question about an educational program?

is the program accredited?

While caring for an infant, the nurse hears another child screaming in the next room and rushes there, forgetting to put the side rails up on the infant's crib. The nurse returns to the room to find that the infant has fallen out of the crib and sustained a head injury. Based on the nurse's action, which tort is the nurse liable for?

malpractice

Which are examples of a nurse appropriately protecting a client's privacy? Select all that apply.

-With the client's permission, the nurse explains the client's diagnosis to the client's spouse. -The nurse moves the client from the emergency department waiting room to a private area to collect assessment data.

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

to protect public safety

Which is an example of an unintentional tort?

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

A physician is called to see a client with angina. During the visit the physician advises the nurse to decrease the dosage of atenolol to 12.5 mg. However, because the physician is late for another visit, the physician requests that the nurse write down the order for the physician. What should be the appropriate nursing action in this situation?

The nurse should ask the physician to come back and write the order.

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:

an advance directive.

A client admitted to a mental health unit has exhibited physical behaviors that put the client and others at risk. The nurse applies four-point restraints on the client without obtaining a physician's order or the client's consent. The nurse is at risk of being accused of which action?

battery

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

slander

Which statements made by a nurse would indicate to a nurse manager that the nurse requires further training? Select all that apply.

-"If I make a mistake, I will not tell anyone." -"I will have the supervisor fill out the incident report when I make an error."

A nurse has applied soft wrist restraints to a client following endotracheal intubation. Documentation of which information is essential when using restraints on a client? Select all that apply.

-Findings from patient assessment, performed every 2 hours -Foley catheter draining clear yellow urine -0.9 normal saline infusing intravenously at 100 mL/hr

Legal safeguards are in place in the nursing practice to protect the nurse from exposure to legal risks as well as to protect the client from harm. What is an example(s) of legal safeguards for the nurse? Select all that apply.

-The nurse confirms informed consent was give by the client to perform a procedure. -The nurse educates the client about what to expect during the hospital stay. -The nurse documents all client care in a timely manner.

A nurse is writing a letter to a U.S. congressman to support the promotion of health care issues. Which guidelines would ensure a properly written letter? Select all that apply.

-The nurse should state the purpose of the letter briefly and clearly in the first paragraph. -The nurse should name the city and state where the nurse lives and votes. -The nurse should restate exactly what the legislator should do at the end of the letter.

Which process evaluates and recognizes educational programs as having met certain standards?

Accreditation

A 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?

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

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?

Invasion of privacy

Which statement about laws governing the distribution of controlled substances is true?

Nurses are responsible for adhering to specific documentation about controlled substances.

A nurse who comments to coworkers at lunch that a client with a sexually transmitted infection has been sexually active in the community may be guilty of what tort?

Slander

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?

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

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?

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

A client newly diagnosed with congestive heart failure has a prescription for digoxin. The nurse counts the heart rate before administration of the medication and obtains a heart rate of 51 beats per minute. Which action by the nurse demonstrates adherence to the standards of nursing care?

The nurse withholds the medication and notifies the health care practitioner.

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?

battery