Prep U Chapter 7

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 A church-appointed guardian A significant other A best friend

A surrogate decision maker

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." "When I document, I make sure it is factual, accurate, complete, and timely." "I will have the supervisor fill out the incident report when I make an error." "I am accountable for any task that I delegate." "The nursing plan of care must be accurate and must be followed. It is part of the client's permanent record."

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

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

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

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

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

A client informs the nurse about leaving the health care facility because the client is not satisfied with the treatment. The nurse knows that the client's treatment is incomplete and further testing and evaluations are scheduled. Which action by the nurse would be most appropriate to prevent false imprisonment? Restrain the client to prevent from leaving. Call the health care provider to speed up the discharge process. Ask the client to sign a release without medical approval. Tell the client that the client will not be able to get access again.

Ask the client to sign a release without medical approval.

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 Causation Damages Duty

Breach of duty

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. Consult with the hospital's legal department as soon as possible. Consult with practice advisors from the state board of nursing. Enlist support from nursing and non-nursing colleagues from the unit.

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

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? Any emergency care given when consent is obtained A negligent act performed in an emergency situation Medical advice given to a neighbor regarding a child's rash Emergency care for a choking victim in a restaurant

Emergency care for a choking victim in a restaurant

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

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? Negligence Malpractice Assault Battery

Malpractice

Which statement about laws governing the distribution of controlled substances is true? When a nurse misuses controlled substances in the workplace and gets help, the nurse will not be charged with a criminal act. Nurses are responsible for adhering to specific documentation about controlled substances. Substance use is not treatable. 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.

Nurses are responsible for adhering to specific documentation about controlled substances

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? A colleague The agency's risk manager The plaintiff's lawyer The local press

The agency's risk manager

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

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

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? The nurse should have the client restrained and call the physician. The nurse should let the client go because the nurse cannot do anything. The nurse should call and inform the nursing supervisor of the situation. The nurse should warn the client that the client cannot come to the hospital again.

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

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. The nurse administers the medication and reassesses the client after 30 minutes. The nurse withholds the medication, retakes the heart rate, and gives the medication at a later time. The nurse administers the medication after reviewing the client's serum potassium level.

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

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

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

An alert, older adult has been deemed to be in imminent danger of harm to self and is being held on the mental health unit for 72 hours. The client begins to scream and demand they be discharged now. The nurse informs the client that if they do not stop screaming, they will be given a sedative and placed on restraints. Complete the following sentence by choosing from the lists of options. Legally, the nurse may be charged with ___ because of __

assault, verbally threatening to administer a sedative

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? Slander Negligence Battery Malpractice

battery

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 attempts to notify a health care provider about a client's elevated temperature but does not get a response. Which statement, if documented by the nurse, would indicate that the nurse is following proper protocol for nursing documentation? 1300: Client temperature elevated. Telephoned health care provider 3 times. As usual, health care provider did not respond. 1300: Client temperature elevated. Health care provider paged, but did not respond. Administered acetaminophen without an order because I knew this health care provider does not return calls. 1300: Client temperature elevated. Telephoned health care provider's service several times with no response. Will notify nursing supervisor during rounds. 1300: Client temperature elevated. Telephoned health care provider's service 3 times without a response. Tepid sponge bath given and nursing supervisor notified.

1300: Client temperature elevated. Telephoned health care provider's service 3 times without a response. Tepid sponge bath given and nursing supervisor notified.

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. Understaffing constitutes an extenuating circumstance that creates a temporarily lower expectation for care for the nurse. 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. The nurse is legally obliged to refuse to provide care when understaffing creates the potential for unsafe conditions.

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

A student nurse is assisting an older adult client to ambulate following hip replacement surgery when the client falls and reinjures the hip. Who is potentially responsible for the injury to this client? The student nurse The nurse instructor The hospital The student nurse, the nurse instructor, and the hospital

The student nurse, the nurse instructor, and the hospital