Sherpath - Legal Considerations in Nursing Practice
A nurse is caring for a patient whose medication is due at 1500. She retrieves the medication at the time it is due and documents that she have it at 1500. At 1600 the oncoming nurse finds the medication lying on the bedside table. The first nurse has committed what type of error?
Error of omission
A nurse in the ICU is caring for a patient for whom brain death has been established. What nursing interventions are associated with the care of a potential organ donor?
- Advocating by honoring the last wishes of the family - Providing information and support to family/significant others
Which actions are examples of intentional tort?
- Assault - Defamation of character - False imprisonment
Informed consent must be obtained from a legal guardian, power of attorney, or healthcare proxy for which persons?
- Minors - Individuals under the influence of drugs
The nurse is discussing a surgical procedure with a patient who is of Indian descent. What strategies should the nurse use to assess understanding of instructions provided?
- Provide information to the patient and family members involved. - Verify that adequate opportunity for asking questions has been given. - Use a professional interpreter if necessary.
Which matters are defined in a state's Nurse Practice Act?
- Who is permitted to administer medications - Procedure for reporting unsafe practice - Number of continuing education hours required
Consumers expect to receive basic privileges when seeking healthcare. In which document is this information found?
Patient's Bill of Rights brochure
The nurse is caring for an older adult patient who needs a catheter insertion. The patient states she does not want the catheter. The nurse obtains assistance from a CNA to hold the patient down for the catheter insertion. What is this an example of?
Battery
Informed consent rights were established through which type of law?
Case
What may a nurse who intentionally administers a lethal dose of medication be charged with?
Felony
An older adult patient is being admitted to the hospital. The nurse asks for an advance directive. The patient responds that her daughter is the designated person that will make healthcare decisions in the event that she is unable to. What is the document the nurse will expect to receive?
Healthcare Proxy
A patient is admitted to the emergency department after a motor vehicle accident where he was impaled with a metal pole. The chest X-ray is fascinating to all the staff and is used as a learning opportunity with residents and nursing students. A nurse posts a photo of the chest X-ray on Facebook, leaving out any patient identifiers. What is this an example of?
Invasion of privacy
A nurse administers an IV antibiotic that a patient is allergic to. The MAR clearly notes the allergy, and the patient is wearing a wristband which notes the allergy, but the nurse failed to complete the verification process. What could this nurse be charged with?
Malpractice
A nurse is charged with misuse of a controlled substance. What charges could he or she face?
Misdemeanor
A nurse notes that water has spilled in the hallway. What is it called when failure to clean up the spill results in a patient fall?
Negligence
The nurse is caring for a patient on the oncology unit. As the patient begins to exhibit a deteriorating respiratory status, where does the nurse locate information about resuscitation status?
Orders
A nurse is caring for a patient on anticoagulant therapy. Before she administers the medication as scheduled, she verifies that the international normalized ratio INR levels are within acceptable range. What is this an example of in nursing?
Standard of care
A 17-year-old female is admitted for emergency surgery after a motor vehicle accident. She is not emancipated. Who can sign informed consent for her surgery?
The parent or legal guardian
Who is responsible for obtaining informed consent for a procedure?
The provider
