Chapter 7 Nursing

which events warrant an incident report

-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

areas of potential liability for the nurse

-nurse fails to document refusal by the client to ambulate following surgery -the nurse documents that the clients BP has increased from 118/72 to 188/98 mm Hg and decides to retake the blood pressure in an hour

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?

-state purpise of letter clearly in first paragraph -restate what legilator should do at the end of the letter -name the city and state when ther nurse lives and votes -cite specific examples from the workplace -kept to 1 page -adresses to 1 legislator only

Which action by the nurse indicates correct knowledge of handling an incident report?

The nurse documents a complete description of the happenings in the client's records - it is kept separate from the medical record

expert witness

a person who is permitted to testify at a trial because of special knowledge or proficiency in a particular field that is relevant to the case -should have a solid education background, a strong clinical experience

malpractice

act of negligence applied to a professional person -leaving infnat unattened and forgetting to put the side raisl up

durable power of attorney

appoints an agent the person triusts to make decidions in the event of subsequent incapacity

battery

assult that is actually carried out

libel

attack on character that is written, including clint record

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?

battery - unlawfully carrying out a procedure that the client had refused

typically most difficult component of malpracticed practice

causation -asks the question- did the nurses actions directly cause the damages

Slander

character attack utterered orally in the presence of others

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 at this point, which element of informed consent would be violated?

competence -client wouldnt be considered competent to make a desion to undergo an invasive procedure

felony

crime punishable b imprisonment in a state or federal penitentiary for more than 1 year -greater than a misdemeanor

whistleblowing

employees who report emplyers violation of the law to appropritae law enforcement agencies outside employers facility

statuatory laws

enactive by a legislative body -nurse practice acts

what is the source of practuce rules that result in unit and institutional based policies?

health care institution

advance directives

minimize difficulties by allowing people to state in advanve what their choices would be for health care is certain circumstances arise

A nurse is named as a defendant in a malpractice lawsuit. Which action would be recommended for this nurse?

never volunteer any info on the witness stand, only answer questions asked

defendent

one being accused of a crime or tort

negligence

performing an act that a reaonably prudent person under similar circumstances would NOT do

plaintiff

person or gov brining a lawsuit against another

accreditation

process by which EDUCATIONAL program is evaluateed and recognized as having met certain stanrdrd of education

certification

process by which a PERSON had met criteria established by a nongivernmental association and is granted recognition

living wills

provide specific instructions about the kinds of health care that should be provided or forgone in particular situations -DNR and DNI orders

slander

spoken defemation of sharacter

assult

threat or an attempt to make bpdily contact with aniother person without that oersons permission

fraud

willful and purposeful misrepresentaiton that could cause loss or harm to people or property

tort

wrong committed by a person agaonst another person or that personsnproperty