Chapter 7 PrepU Questions - Legal Dimensions of Nursing Practice

Nurses practicing in a critical care unit must acquire specialized skills and knowledge to provide care to the critically ill client. These nurses can validate this specialty competence through what process? A. Certification B. Accreditation C. Licensure D. Litigation

A. Certification

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? A. Libel B. Slander C. Negligence D. Malpractice

B. Slander

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? A. Document the client's claims and the events surrounding the alleged incident. B. Consult with the hospital's legal department as soon as possible. C. Consult with practice advisors from the state board of nursing. D. Enlist support from nursing and non-nursing colleagues from the unit.

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

A nurse talks with family members about an AIDS client from the clinic where the nurse works. Which tort has the nurse committed? A. Invasion of privacy B. Fraud C. Assault D. Slander

A. Invasion of privacy

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? A. The nurse is legally held to the same standards of care as when staffing levels are normal. B. Understaffing constitutes an extenuating circumstance that creates a temporarily lower expectation for care for the nurse. C. The nurse must document that float staff, nurses on overtime, and part-time staff were contacted in an effort to fill the gaps in care. D. The nurse is legally obliged to refuse to provide care when understaffing creates the potential for unsafe conditions.

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

A nurse fails to communicate a change in the client's condition to the physician. Which element related to proving malpractice has been met? A. Duty B. Breach of duty C. Proximate cause D. Damages

B. Breach of duty

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? A. To determine the nurse's fault in the incident B. To evaluate the quality of care provided and assess the potential risks for injury to the client C. To provide information to local, state, and federal agencies D. To evaluate the immediate care provided by the nurse to the client

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

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. A. "I realize that I am held to the same standards as a registered nurse." B. "I have also put the nursing faculty at risk with my action." C. "I am glad I am a student because nursing faculty will be blamed, not me." D. "I should have informed you that I felt unprepared for my assignment." E. "I cannot be held liable because this is only my second time at this facility."

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

Which is an example of an unintentional tort? A. Nurses discuss a client's laboratory values in the elevator. B. A nurse tells a client that the client cannot leave the hospital until the client pays the bill. C. A nurse threatens to restrain a client if the client does not stop talking. D. A nurse gives the client a medication, and the client has an adverse reaction to it.

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

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? A. The nurse withholds the medication and notifies the health care practitioner. B. The nurse administers the medication and reassesses the client after 30 minutes. C. The nurse withholds the medication, retakes the heart rate, and gives the medication at a later time. D. The nurse administers the medication after reviewing the client's serum potassium level.

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

Which statement about laws governing the distribution of controlled substances is true? A. When a nurse misuses controlled substances in the workplace and gets help, the nurse will not be charged with a criminal act. B. Nurses are responsible for adhering to specific documentation about controlled substances. C. Substance use is not treatable. D. The nurse is only at risk if diverting medication from the client; a nurse using the nurse's own personal drugs is not at risk.

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

In some cases, the act of providing nursing care in unexpected situations is covered by the Good Samaritan laws. Which nursing action would most likely be covered by these laws? A. Any emergency care given when consent is obtained B. A negligent act performed in an emergency situation C. Medical advice given to a neighbor regarding a child's rash D. Emergency care for a choking victim in a restaurant

D. Emergency care for a choking victim in a restaurant

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? A. Witnesses to a signature do not need to read the will. B. Witnesses do not need to observe the signing of the will and can sign it at a later time. C. A beneficiary to a will is allowed to act as a witness. D. A single witness is sufficient for a will.

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

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? A. Defamation B. Malpractice C. Assault D. Battery

B. Malpractice

Which nursing student would most likely be held liable for negligence? A. A nursing student performs a dressing change using sterile technique and documents the presence of necrotic tissue in the wound. B. A nursing student reports that insulin was not administered to the client by the nurse on the previous shift. C. A nursing student administers medication to a resident while working as an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) at a local nursing home. D. A nursing student completes an incident report after administering a medication to a client who then experienced an adverse reaction to the medication.

C. A nursing student administers medication to a resident while working as an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) at a local nursing home.

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? A. Battery B. Assault C. Fraud D. Defamation of character

A. Battery

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? A. Assault B. Battery C. False imprisonment D. Invasion of privacy

A. Assault

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? A. The nurse should ask the physician to come back and write the order. B. The nurse should write the order and implement it. C. The nurse should inform the client of the change in medication. D. The nurse should remind the physician later to write the work order.

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

During the orientation to the hospital, the staff development educator discusses unit and institutional-based policies. What is the source of the practice rules that result in unit and institutional-based policies? A. Health care institution B. Federal legislation C. State legislation D. Board of nursing

A. Health care institution

Which statements made by a nurse would indicate to a nurse manager that the nurse requires further training? Select all that apply. A. "If I make a mistake, I will not tell anyone." B. "When I document, I make sure it is factual, accurate, complete, and timely." C. "I will have the supervisor fill out the incident report when I make an error." D. "I am accountable for any task that I delegate." E. "The nursing plan of care must be accurate and must be followed. It is part of the client's permanent record."

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

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? A. "The rules made by the board of nursing don't reflect my practice." B. "The board of nursing exists to protect the safety of the public." C. "The board of nursing is established by state legislation." D. "Board of nursing rules keep unlicensed people from practicing nursing."

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

Which scenario is an example of certification? A. A nurse who demonstrates advanced expertise in a content area of nursing through special testing B. A hospital that meets the standards of the Joint Commission C. An education program that meets the standards of the National League for Nursing D. A graduate of a nursing education program who passes the NCLEX-RN

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

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? A. Breach of duty B. Causation C. Damages D. Duty

A. Breach of duty

A nurse working on a busy medical-surgical unit does not take the vital signs of client who is preparing for discharge but instead documents the same vital signs obtained for this client earlier in the morning. For which tort would the nurse be potentially liable? A. Fraud B. False imprisonment C. Battery D. Assault

A. Fraud

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? A. Slander B. Libel C. Fraud D. Assault

A. 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? A. The Good Samaritan law will provide legal immunity to the nurse. B. The Good Samaritan law will not protect the nurse because the nurse did not accept compensation. C. The Good Samaritan law is not applicable to health care workers. D. The Good Samaritan law will provide absolute exemption from prosecution.

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

What governing body has the authority to revoke or suspend a nurse's license? A. The State Board of Nurse Examiners B. The employing health care institution C. The National League for Nursing D. The Supreme Court

A. The State Board of Nurse Examiners

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? A. "I will call the client and ask for permission to share this information with you." B. "I cannot give you that information due to client confidentiality." C. "Do you have any identification proving that you are related to the client?" D."I'm busy right now but can talk later."

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

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? A. "A living will can only be used in the state in which it was created." B. "Take it with you. It is recognized universally in the United States." C. "As long as your family knows your medical wishes, you will not need it." D. "We have it on file here, so any hospital can call and get a copy."

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

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? A. Unintentional tort B. Invasion of privacy C. Defamation of character D. Negligence of duty

B. Invasion of privacy

Which is true of the Occupational Safety and Health Act? A. It requires nurses to report abuse of infants, children, and adults of all ages. B. It helps to reduce workforce injuries and illness in the workplace. C. It establishes an information clearinghouse for nurses who engage in unprofessional conduct. D. It protects nurses who are recovering from drug or alcohol addiction or have communicable diseases.

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

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? A. Negligence B. Malpractice C. Assault D. Battery

B. Malpractice

In comparison with licensure, which measures entry-level competence, what does certification validate? A. Innocence of any disciplinary violation B. Specialty knowledge and clinical judgment C. More than 10 years of nursing practice D. Ability to practice in more than one area

B. Specialty knowledge and clinical judgment

A nurse threatens to restrain a verbally abusive client if the abuse continues. Which legal tort has the nurse committed? A. Invasion of privacy B. Negligence C. Assault D. Defamation of character

C. Assault

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? A. Slander B. Negligence C. Battery D. Malpractice

C. Battery

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. A. Duty has not occurred since the evening nurse just started the shift. B. The facility will have to fire the nurse for malpractice. C. Breach of duty has occurred. D. The facility will settle the case. E. The spouse was notified of the change in condition.

C. Breach of duty has occurred.

A nurse is caring for a client following endotracheal intubation. Before applying soft wrist restraints to prevent the client from pulling out the endotracheal tube, what is the most appropriate action of the nurse? A. Sedate the client. B. Get written consent. C. Obtain a medical order. D. Notify the family.

C. Obtain a medical order.

Which best exemplifies malpractice? A. The nurse applies an ice pack to a client's lower back without an order and the client feels better. B. The nurse, using proper body mechanics, assists a client into a locked bed. The client slips and breaks a femur. C. The nurse administers amoxicillin to a client with known allergies to penicillin. The client has a seizure with resulting respiratory arrest. D. The nurse administers the wrong medication to a client, who then has one episode of vomiting 5 minutes later but no further adverse reactions.

C. The nurse administers amoxicillin to a client with known allergies to penicillin. The client has a seizure with resulting respiratory arrest.

A client is unhappy with the health care provided and informs the nurse that the client is leaving the facility. The client has not been discharged by the physician. The nurse finds that the client has dressed and is ready to go. What should the nurse's action be in this situation? A. The nurse should have the client restrained and call the physician. B. The nurse should let the client go because the nurse cannot do anything. C. The nurse should call and inform the nursing supervisor of the situation. D. The nurse should warn the client that the client cannot come to the hospital again.

C. The nurse should call and inform the nursing supervisor of the situation.

A nurse hired to work in an ambulatory setting attends new employee orientation. The nurse never worked in ambulatory before and is concerned about the Scope and Standards of Practice for Professional Ambulatory Care Nursing. Which response by the nurse educator would further explain the Scope and Standards of Practice for Professional Care Nursing to the new nurse? A. "The Scope and Standards of Practice for Professional Ambulatory Care Nursing takes precedent over the facility's policies and procedures." B. "The Scope and Standards of Practice for Professional Ambulatory Care Nursing sets the standards for the nursing supervisor to assess a nurse." C. "The Scope and Standards of Practice for Professional Ambulatory Care Nursing determines if a nurse is minimally competent to receive a license to practice as a nurse." D. "The Scope and Standards of Practice for Professional Ambulatory Care Nursing deals with the professional obligations of a nurse working in the ambulatory setting."

D. "The Scope and Standards of Practice for Professional Ambulatory Care Nursing deals with the professional obligations of a nurse working in the ambulatory setting."

The health care provider prescribes orders for a client with newly diagnosed uncontrolled seizure activity. When reviewing the prescriptions, the nurse correctly identifies that which prescription, if followed, puts him at risk for negligence charges? A. Neurologic assessments every 5 minutes B. Oxygen 2/L via nasal cannula C. Diazepam 5 mg intravenously now D. Restrain all four extremities

D. Restrain all four extremities

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? A. The nurse informs the family about advance directives. B. The nurse informs the family about the living will. C. The nurse confirms that the client has signed the consent form. D. The nurse confirms that the client's family has signed the consent form.

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