Foundations Chapter 7: PrepU

Nurse Practice Acts are examples of which type of laws? -Statutory laws -Constitutional laws -Administrative law -Common law

-Statutory laws

A nurse is caring for a client with vertigo. During data collection, the nurse finds multiple bruises on the client's arms and back and suspects the client is being abused. When questioned, the client denies any abuse by the daughter she lives with. Despite the client's denial, which rationale would the nurse use for reporting the suspected abuse? -The client does not want anyone to know what is happening in her home. -The client is ashamed to admit that her daughter is beating her. -The nurse wants her peers to see her as a hero. -The nurse has a legal and ethical responsibility to report the suspected abuse.

-The nurse has a legal and ethical responsibility to report the suspected abuse. Nurses are legally and ethically responsible to report suspected abuse. Because nurses are legally obligated, it does not depend upon the client's fear or reluctance to report the abuse. Being labeled a hero is not the correct rationale for reporting suspected abuse.

A client is being prepared for an elective surgical procedure and the consent form has not been signed. Who should the nurse have obtain consent for the procedure? -The health care provider performing the surgical procedure -The client's family or significant other -The perioperative nurse -The nursing supervisor

The health care provider performing the surgical procedure

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

-"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." A nursing student is responsible and held liable for his or her own actions. The student is responsible for being familiar with the facility's policies and procedures. The student is held to the same standards as a registered nurse, and should inform faculty when unprepared for an assignment. The student nurse puts the clinical faculty at risk by performing actions that are deemed negligent.

Which statement made by the nurse providing care to a group of clients indicates that the nurse requires further education regarding negligence? -"Please avoid bringing fresh fruit to a client with neutropenia." -"I am going to assess for collateral circulation before preforming an arterial blood gas (ABG)." -"I am going to auscultate breath sounds every 8 hours on a client receiving enteral feedings." -"I don't need to assess distal pulses on a client after a femoral arteriography."

-"I don't need to assess distal pulses on a client after a femoral arteriography." Distal pulses should be checked immediately after a femoral arteriography; therefore, the nurse is negligent for checking three hours after the procedure. Fresh fruit may contain bacteria and further compromise a client with neutropenia. The Allen test confirms that there is proper circulation to the hand before drawing an ABG. The nurse checks breath sounds at least every 8 hours for adventitious sounds that may indicate aspiration.

The nursing faculty is lecturing on unintentional and intentional torts. The faculty asks a nursing student to provide an example of an unintentional tort. Which example would indicate the student has a clear understanding of torts? -Nurses are in the elevator discussing a client's laboratory values. -A nurse is telling a client he cannot leave the hospital until he pays his bill. -A nurse is threatening to restrain a client if he does not stop talking. -A nurse gives a medication and client has an adverse reaction.

-A nurse gives a medication and client has an adverse reaction. Unintentional tort occurs when the nurse did not intend harm, but harm occurred (administration of medication and client has an adverse reaction). The other three responses are intentional torts.

The health care provider prescribes cold therapy every 4 hours for a client after foot surgery. The nurse places the ice pack directly on the client's skin and returns 60 minutes later. After removal of the ice pack, the skin is pale and cold to the touch. The client develops frostbite and begins a lawsuit for malpractice. When reviewing the case, the nurse attorney recognizes which most important statement about the malpractice suit? -The client has a responsibility to report loss of sensation to prevent frostbite. -The standard of care was established, so the nurse will not be held liable. -The client will have difficulty finding causation. -All elements are in place to hold the nurse liable.

-All elements are in place to hold the nurse liable. All four elements are met: The nurse had a duty. The duty was breached. It is easy to find causation (an ice pack directly on skin for 60 minutes), and harm (development of frostbite) was done. The client is not responsible since the lack of sensation may have occurred early and it was the nurse's responsibility to ensure safety.

A client is scheduled for a colonoscopy. The nurse realizes immediately after administering medications to induce conscious sedation that the client has not signed the informed consent. If the nurse has the client sign the informed consent, which element of informed consent would be violated? -Disclosure -Comprehension -Competence -Voluntariness

-Competence

A client is scheduled for a colonoscopy. The nurse realizes immediately after administering medications to induce conscious sedation that the client has not signed the informed consent. If the nurse has the client sign the informed consent, which element of informed consent would be violated? -Disclosure -Comprehension -Competence -Voluntariness

-Competence The client under conscious sedation would not be considered competent to make a decision to undergo an invasive procedure such as a colonoscopy. Disclosure ensures that the following information has been given to the client: the nature of the treatment, possible alternative treatments, and potential risks and benefits of the treatment. Comprehension is met when the client demonstrates understanding by describing in his own words to what he is consenting. The client's consent must be given voluntarily.

A client informs the nurse that he wants to discontinue his 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 he is going against medical advice. -Restrain the client until his medical treatment is over. -Call the physician and get his discharge paper signed. -Warn the client that he may not be able to access health care again.

-Let the client go after signing a document stating he is going against medical advice. If a client wishes to go before his medical treatment is finished, he should sign a document indicating personal responsibility for leaving against medical advice. The nurse should not restrain the client, as it would make the nurse liable for legal action. The nurse may call the physician and get the discharge paper signed, but this is not appropriate. The nurse cannot warn the client that he will be denied health care in future, because it is his right to access the health care facility whenever he needs.

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

-Specialty knowledge and clinical judgment Whereas licensure measures entry-level competence, certification validates specialty knowledge, experience, and clinical judgment. Certification does not validate innocence, years of practice, or ability in multiple practice areas.

Nurse Practice Acts are examples of which type of laws? -Statutory laws -Constitutional laws -Administrative law -Common law

-Statutory laws Nurse Practice Acts are statutory laws. Statutory laws must be in keeping with both the federal constitution and the state constitution. Constitutional law refers to rights carved out in the federal and state constitutions. The majority of this body of law has developed from state and federal supreme court rulings, which interpret their respective constitutions and ensure that the laws passed by the legislature do not violate constitutional limits. Administrative law is the body of law that governs the activities of administrative agencies of government. Common law is the body of English law as adopted and modified separately by the different states of the US and by the federal government and is in contrast with statutory law.

Which of the following is an area of potential liability for the nurse? Select all that apply. -The nurse fails to document refusal by the client to ambulate following surgery. -The nurse notifies the physician of the client's adverse reaction to a medication. -The nurse administers the client's preoperative medication after the informed consent is signed. -The nurse documents that the client's blood pressure has increased from 118/72 to 188/98 and decides to retake the blood pressure in an hour. -The nurse documents that the client accurately prepared the correct amount of insulin after instruction was given.

-The nurse fails to document refusal by the client to ambulate following surgery. -The nurse documents that the client's blood pressure has increased from 118/72 to 188/98 and decides to retake the blood pressure in an hour. Areas of potential liability would include failure to document refusal by the client to participate in the treatment regimen (such as ambulation after surgery), and failure to assess the client in a timely manner. Waiting an hour to reassess a significant elevation in blood pressure does not meet the standard of care. Reporting a client's adverse reaction to a medication, administering preoperative medication after the informed consent is signed, and documenting the client's response to education are nursing behaviors that meet the standard of care.

When making client rounds, the charge nurse observes which action by a staff nurse that would constitute battery? -The older adult client refuses the intramuscular injection, but the staff nurse administered it. -The staff nurse threatens to restrain the client if she did not take her medication. -While bathing a client behind pulled curtains, two nurses are discussing a different client. -The nurse tells the client she cannot leave the hospital because she is seriously ill.

-The older adult client refuses the intramuscular injection, but the staff nurse administered it. If the client refuses a procedure or medication and the nurse proceeds with it, it is battery. Threatening a client is assault. Discussing another client within earshot of others is an invasion of privacy. Keeping a client against her wishes, regardless of her health status, is false imprisonment.

While teaching about advance care planning, which fact is important for the nurse to share with a client who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness? -Living wills provide specific instructions related to the client's personal property upon death. -A durable power of attorney for health care appoints an agent the person trusts to make decisions. -The Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990 requires hospital clients to have an advance directive. -Advance directives must be completed 30 days prior to hospitalization in order to be valid.

-A durable power of attorney for health care appoints an agent the person trusts to make decisions.

While teaching about advance care planning, which fact is important for the nurse to share with a client who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness? -Living wills provide specific instructions related to the client's personal property upon death. -A durable power of attorney for health care appoints an agent the person trusts to make decisions. -The Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990 requires hospital clients to have an advance directive. -Advance directives must be completed 30 days prior to hospitalization in order to be valid.

-A durable power of attorney for health care appoints an agent the person trusts to make decisions. Advance directives can minimize difficulties by allowing people to state in advance what their choices would be for health care if certain circumstances arise. A durable power of attorney for health care appoints an agent the person trusts to make decisions in the event of subsequent incapacity. Living wills provide specific instructions about the kinds of health care that should be provided or foregone in particular situations. In the United States, the Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990 requires all hospitals to inform patients about advance directives. Advance directives do not have to be completed prior to hospitalization in order to be valid.

During a nursing shift, which events warrant completion of an incident report? (Select all that apply.) -A nurse reports that a client is crying and distraught over a diagnosis of metastatic cancer. -An intravenous antibiotic was administered 2 hours late because the IV site infiltrated. -A visitor slipped and fell in the hallway, but was not injured. -A client falls while being transferred from the bed to the chair. -A registered nurse asks an unlicensed assistive personal (UAP) to feed a client.

-An intravenous antibiotic was administered 2 hours late because the IV site infiltrated. -A visitor slipped and fell in the hallway, but was not injured. -A client falls while being transferred from the bed to the chair. An incident report is a written account of an unusual, potentially injurious event involving a client, employee, or visitor. Late administration of medication is considered a medication error and is potentially injurious to the client. A visitor fall and a client fall are both reportable situations. A client crying following a diagnosis of cancer could be expected, and a registered nurse delegating appropriate care to a UAP is not reportable. Therefore, these actions do not require an incident report to be filed.

A nurse working in a coronary care unit resuscitates a client who had expressed wishes not to be resuscitated. Which tort has the nurse committed? -Assault -Battery -Libel -Slander

-Battery The nurse has committed a mistake and can be sued for battery because of unlawfully carrying out a procedure that the client had refused. Battery is an assault and includes negligent touching of another person's body or clothes or anything attached to or held by that other person. Assault is the threat of touching another person without his or her consent. Negligence may be an act of omission or commission. Defamation of character in spoken words is called slander. Libel is defamation of character in written words.

A client admitted to a mental health unit has exhibited physical behaviors that put him 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 of the following? -Slander -Negligence -Battery -Malpractice

-Battery Battery is intentional and wrongful physical contact with a person that entails an injury or offensive touching. Performing treatment without permission or receiving informed consent from the client might constitute both assault and battery. Judgments of battery suits have been based on the application of restraints to confused clients. The other options do not meet the definition described in the question.

A nurse exits the room of a confused client without raising the side rails on the bed. The failure to raise the side rails would constitute which element of liability related to malpractice? -Breach of duty -Duty -Causation -Damages

-Breach of duty Breach of duty is failing to meet the standard of care, and in this case, it was the failure to execute and document the use of appropriate safety measures. Causation is the failure to use appropriate safety measures, which results in injury to the client. Duty refers to an obligation to use due care and is defined by the standard of care appropriate for the nurse-client relationship. Damages refers to the actual harm or injury that the client incurs.

The nurse is providing care to a client who had orthopedic surgery. The nurse has medicated the client for pain. However, the client reports 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. What element of liability has been violated? -Breach of duty -Causation -Damages -Duty

-Breach of duty Breach of duty is the failure to assess, intervene, or notify the health care provider regarding the client's condition. It does not meet the expected standard of care. Duty refers to an obligation to use due care and is defined by the standard of care appropriate for the nurse-client relationship. Causation is when the failure to meet the standard of care caused injury. Damages are the harm or injury to the client.

A nurse fails to administer a medication that prevents seizures, and the client has a seizure. The nurse is in violation of the Nurse Practice Act. What type of law is the nurse in violation of? -Criminal -Federal -Civil -Supreme

-Civil Malpractice cases are generally civil litigation cases that involve nurses.

A nurse is named as a defendant in a malpractice lawsuit. Which action would be recommended for this nurse? -Discuss the case with the plaintiff to ensure understanding of each other's positions. -If a mistake was made on a chart, change it to read appropriately. -Be prepared to tell your side to the press, if necessary. -Do not volunteer any information on the witness stand.

-Do not volunteer any information on the witness stand. The nurse on the witness stand should be polite, but not volunteer any information. The nurse should only answer the questions asked. The other answers are not examples of what a nurse should do in a malpractice lawsuit.

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 -Breach of duty -Causation -Damages

-Duty Duty refers to an obligation to use due care. The nurse assessed the client and made appropriate interventions and notifications. Breach of duty is the failure to meet the standard of care. An example of breach of duty would be not performing assessments, appropriate interventions, and notifications of the health care provider. Causation is when the breach of duty caused the injury. An example of causation would be failure to perform assessment and appropriate interventions when providing client care, and this caused injury to the client. Damages are the harm or injury that occurred to the client. In this situation, it would be the death of the client.

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? -Health care institution -Federal legislation -State legislation -Board of nursing

-Health care institution The health care institution determines the unit and institutional policies. These policies may vary from institution to institution. Such policies may include clinical procedures, policies specific to the institution, and personnel and employment policies. Unit and institutional based policies are not derived from federal legislation, state legislation, or the board of nursing.

A new graduate wants to be knowledgable about state-mandated rules to better practice within the scope of nursing. What are the best resources for this nurse to research? Select all that apply. -Nurse practice acts -Medicare and Medicaid provisions for reimbursement of nursing services -Nursing educational requirements -Delegation trees Composition and disciplinary authority of board of nursing -Medication administration

-Nurse practice acts -Nursing educational requirements -Composition and disciplinary authority of board of nursing Examples of state-mandated rules would include nurse practice acts, nursing educational requirements, and composition and disciplinary authority of boards of nursing. Delegation trees, medication administration, and Medicare and Medicaid provision for reimbursement of nursing services are not examples of state-mandated rules.

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? -Nurse withheld the medication and notified the health care practitioner. -Nurse administered the medication and reassessed the client after 30 minutes. -Nurse withheld the medication, retook the heart rate, and gave the meds at a later time. -Nurse administered the medication after reviewing the client's serum potassium level.

-Nurse withheld the medication and notified the health care practitioner. Nurses are responsible for following the standards of care for their particular work area. A reasonably prudent nurse would withhold the medication and notify the health care practitioner. All other options put the client's safety at risk and would not be done by a reasonably prudent nurse.

A registered nurse has had her license suspended after being convicted of being impaired at work. What governing body has the authority to revoke or suspend a nurse's license? -The State Board of Nurse Examiners -The employing health care institution -The National League for Nursing -The Supreme Court

-The State Board of Nurse Examiners The State Board of Nurse Examiners in the United States may revoke or suspend a nurse's license or registration for drug or alcohol misuse. The employing health care institution may have submitted the paperwork regarding the allegation of the issue but does not suspend or revoke the nurse's license. The National League for Nursing is a national organization for faculty nurses and leaders in nurse education. The Supreme Court is the highest judicial court in a country or state. The Surpreme Court does not rule on nurse's license.

A client is being prepared for an elective surgical procedure and the consent form has not been signed. Who should the nurse have obtain consent for the procedure? -The health care provider performing the surgical procedure -The client's family or significant other -The perioperative nurse -The nursing supervisor

-The health care provider performing the surgical procedure The nurse should inform the surgeon the consent has not been signed. Obtaining informed consent is the responsibility of the person who will be performing the diagnostic or treatment procedure or the research study. In this particular case, the surgeon, the client, and a witness, all need to sign the consent form. The nurse's roles are to confirm that a signed consent form is present in the client's chart and to answer any client questions about the consent.

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 are examples of legal safeguards for the nurse? Select all that apply. -The nurse obtains informed consent from a client to perform a procedure. -The physician is responsible for administration of a wrongly prescribed medication. -The nurse educates the client about The Patient Care Partnership. -The nurse executes physician orders without questioning them. -The nurse documents all client care in a timely manner. -The nurse claims management is responsible for inadequate staffing leading to negligence.

-The nurse obtains informed consent from a client to perform a procedure. -The nurse educates the client about The Patient Care Partnership. -The nurse documents all client care in a timely manner. Examples of legal safeguards for the nurse would include the nurse obtaining informed consent from a client, the nurse educating the client about The Patient Care Partnership, and the nurse documenting all client care in a timely manner. Legal safeguards for the nurse would not include the nurse executing physician orders without questioning them. Legal safeguards for the nurse would not include the nurse claiming management is responsible for inadequate staffing leading to negligence. Legal safeguards for the nurse would not include the physician being responsible for administration of a wrongly prescribed medication.

Nurses are occasionally asked to witness a testator's (person who makes the will) signing of his or her will. Which guideline is true regarding a nurse's role is witnessing a testator's signature? -Witnesses to a signature do not need to read the will. -Witnesses do not need to observe the signing of the will and can sign it at a later time. -A beneficiary to a will is allowed to act as a witness. -A single witness is sufficient for a will.

-Witnesses to a signature do not need to read the will. Witnesses to the signature on a will do not need to read it, but they should be sure the document being signed is a will and not some other document. Witnesses should watch the testator sign the will, and they should sign in the presence of each other. A beneficiary to a will is not allowed to act as a witness in most states. Two or three witnesses are most commonly required on a will.

A client with end-stage renal disease decides against further treatment and requests a "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) order. The DNR status is part of the change-of-shift report. The client stops breathing and a nurse begins cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The family is upset and makes a complaint to the charge nurse. The charge nurse appropriately identifies that nurse has committed: -defamation. -battery. -assault. -fraud.

-battery. The nurse has committed battery by performing CPR against the client's wishes. Assault occurs when a person threatens to touch a client without consent. Fraud is a willful and purposeful misrepresentation, whereas defamation occurs when a derogatory remark is made about another person.

A student is preparing to graduate from nursing school and understands that professional regulations and laws that govern nursing practice are in place. These regulations and laws are in place for which reason? -to limit the number of nurses in practice -to ensure that practicing nurses are of good moral standing -to protect the safety of the public -to ensure that enough new nurses are always available

-to protect the safety of the public Governing bodies, professional regulations, and laws are in place to protect the public by ensuring that nurses are accountable for safe, competent, and ethical nursing practice. The other options do not describe accurately the role and responsibility of the governing bodies and the regulations and laws of nursing.

The nurse is participating in a discussion about controlled substances. Which statement by the nurse indicates she is aware of laws governing the distribution of controlled substances? -"When a nurse misuses controlled substances in the workplace and gets help, she will not be charged with a criminal act." -"Nurses are responsible for adhering to specific documentation about controlled substances." -"An impaired nurse is promptly punished by being terminated and having his or her license suspended." -"The nurse is only at risk if she diverts medication from the client; using personal drugs decrease your risk."

"Nurses are responsible for adhering to specific documentation about controlled substances." Nurses have specific responsibilities regarding controlled substances, including specific documentation. Violation of controlled substances at the workplace is serious and is considered a criminal act. Substance use is treatable and the objective is to detect and treat the problem early. It does not matter where the nurse obtains the drugs; the nurse is still liable for personal actions.

The client being admitted to the oncology unit conveys his wishes regarding resuscitation in the event of cardiopulmonary arrest. The nurse advises the client that it would be in his best interest to obtain which document? -A will -A living will -Proof of health care power of attorney -A proxy directive

-A living will A living will is an advance directive that specifies the type of medical treatment clients do or do not want to receive should they be unable to speak for themselves in a terminal or permanently unconscious condition.

A nurse assesses a client with psychotic symptoms and determines that the client needs vest restraints. However, the client asks the nurse not to put on vest restraints. What would be the best nursing action? -Contact the physician and obtain necessary orders. -Restrain the client with vest restraints. -Apply restraints after giving a sedative. -Apply wrist restraints instead of vest restraints.

-Contact the physician and obtain necessary orders. If a nurse feels that a client needs to be restrained, the nurse should inform the physician and obtain necessary orders. The nurse should also discuss this with the client's family members and ask their opinion. The nurse should not sedate the client and then restrain him, as the nurse could be charged with battery if there is restraint without orders. Applying a wrist restraint instead of a vest restraint is like compromising with the client, which is unethical.

Which situation is an example of battery that the nurse may experience while performing her duties at the health care facility? -telling the client that he cannot leave the hospital -performing a surgical procedure without getting consent -taking the client's photographs without consent -witnessing a procedure done on a client without his consent

-performing a surgical procedure without getting consent Performing a surgical procedure without the client's consent is an example of battery. To protect health care workers from being charged with battery, adult clients are asked to sign a general permission for care and treatment during admission, and additional written consent forms for tests, procedures, or surgery. Telling the client not to leave the hospital is a false imprisonment. Taking the client's photographs without his permission and witnessing a procedure done on him without consent is violation of the client's 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. -defamation of character. -professional negligence. -false imprisonment.

-invasion of privacy. The nurse's action reflects an invasion of the client's privacy. Disclosing confidential information to an inappropriate third party subjects the nurse to liability for invasion of privacy, even if the information is true. Defamation of character includes false communication that results in injury to a person's reputation. Negligence is an act of omission or commission. Prevention of movement or unjustified retention of a person without consent may be false imprisonment.

The nurse attorney provides an educational session to the nursing staff on acts of negligence. Which responses by the staff would indicate to the attorney that the staff can accurately identify acts of negligence? Select all that apply. -"I can be charged with negligence if I apply a heating pad to the client's skin and the client suffers a superficial or first-degree burn." -"I can be charged with negligence if I follow the policy for administering insulin and the client has a reaction to it." -"I can be charged with negligence if I am following the standards of care for my specialty, which is ambulatory nursing." -"When I am using a new piece of equipment for the first time, I must make sure I know how to properly operate it." -"I can be charged with negligence if I notify the health care practitioner about a change in a client's status but do not follow up or document.

-"I can be charged with negligence if I apply a heating pad to the client's skin and the client suffers a superficial or first-degree burn." -"I can be charged with negligence if I notify the health care practitioner about a change in a client's status but do not follow up or document. Negligence occurs when a nurse fails to provide care that another nurse with the same educational background would perform. Applying heat and burning the client's skin is not an act another prudent nurse would do. The nurse must act as the client's advocate by following up and documenting when a health care provider does not respond to a change in the client's condition. When a nurse follows correct policies for administering medications, follows the standards of care, and uses equipment in the correct manner, this eliminates the risk of practicing in a negligent manner.

A lawyer is describing the litigation process to a nurse named in a malpractice lawsuit. Which statements by the lawyer accurately describe this process? Select all that apply. -"The defendant is the person who is initiating the lawsuit." -"The process of bringing and trying this lawsuit is called litigation." -"As the defendant, you will be presumed guilty until proven innocent." -"We will start litigation in the first-level court known as the appellate court." -"The opinions of appellate judges are published and become common law." -"Common law is based on the principle of stare decisis."

-"The process of bringing and trying this lawsuit is called litigation." -"The opinions of appellate judges are published and become common law." -"Common law is based on the principle of stare decisis." The process of bringing and trying a lawsuit is called litigation. The opinions of appellate judges are published and become common law. Common law is based on the principle of stare decisis, or "let the decision stand." After a decision has been made in a court of law, the principle in that decision becomes the rule to follow in other similar cases (precedent). The other options listed are not true about the litigation process.

The charge nurse overhears a staff nurse threatening to restrain a verbally abusive client if the abuse continues. The charge nurse meets with the staff nurse to discuss this behavior. Which legal tort, if identified by the charge nurse, would alert the staff nurse to potential criminal charges? -Invasion of privacy -Negligence -Assault -Defamation of character

-Assault Assault is threatening to touch a person, such as by applying restraints, without consent. Sharing a client's confidential information without consent is an invasion of privacy. When a person performs an act that a reasonable person would not do under the same circumstance, it is negligence. Defamation of character occurs when derogatory statements that are defamatory against another person's character/reputation are made.

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? -Battery -Assault -Invasion of privacy -Dereliction of duty

-Battery Battery is the actual carrying out of such a threat (unlawful touching of a person's body). A nurse may be sued for battery if there is failure to obtain consent for a procedure.

The nursing supervisor is preparing to delegate some aspects of the nursing care plan interventions to other healthcare providers on the unit. Which are requirements of supervisory nursing? Select all that apply. -In-depth knowledge of the job descriptions and capabilities of each person on the team. -Each member of the team to state which tasks they enjoy and assign accordingly to improve staff moral. -The person assigned to the task is ultimately responsible for the care they provide. -Registered nurses cannot delegate the practice-pervasive functions of assessment. -Registered nurses must assure the care was delivered accurately and appropriately.

-In-depth knowledge of the job descriptions and capabilities of each person on the team. -Registered nurses cannot delegate the practice-pervasive functions of assessment. -Registered nurses must assure the care was delivered accurately and appropriately. Nurses may delegate specific aspects of care to nonprofessional staff, but registered nurses are held accountable for selecting appropriate nursing care measures for these personnel to perform. Registered nurses cannot delegate the practice-pervasive functions of assessment, planning, diagnosis, evaluation, and nursing judgment (NCSBN, 2005). Registered nurses may delegate technical activities (i.e., feeding, ambulating) or provision of amenities (i.e., hospitality services, including making beds, setting up meals, cleaning the care environment), but the activities must not require critical thinking or professional judgment (American Nurses Association, 2005). Nurses also maintain responsibility to ensure that nursing care measures have been carried out correctly.

Two nurses meet at their home, where one of the nurses discusses a client who had been physically abused. The next day, the client is shifted to another nursing unit after a surgical procedure and becomes the care of the second nurse who had been part of the original discussion. Nurse No. 2 asks the client about the physical abuse. The client discovers that his original nurse revealed the information and is hurt. What would be the charges if the client files a suit? -The nurses could be charged for slander. -The nurses could be charged for libel. -No charges are valid because the revelation took place in off-duty hours. -No charges are valid because Nurse No. 2 is also involved in client care.

-The nurses could be charged for slander Slander is the character attack uttered orally in the presence of others. The injury is considered to occur because the derogatory remarks attack a person's character and good name. In this case, the nurse can be charged with slander. If the defamation had been written, it would be libel. Even if the discussion took place at home and Nurse No. 2 was involved in the care, the revelation was without the client's consent. Even if the nurse is off-duty or may not be directly involved in the client's care, the nurse can still be charged with slander.