Chapter 7: Legal Dimensions of Nursing Practice

When talking with family over dinner, the nurse shares about a client with infertility at the hospital, identifying the person by name. Which tort has the nurse committed?

Invasion of 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

A nurse is overheard in the hospital cafeteria making false, derogatory comments about a client. The nurse is guilty of:

slander.

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?

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

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."

A nurse has been named in a malpractice lawsuit. Prior to taking the nurse's deposition, the attorney explains that the case will be governed by common law. Which question by the nurse is indicated?

"Will this case be precedent setting?"

An RN is working on a medical-surgical unit with a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN). Which action by the RN is considered negligent if injury results from this action?

Asking the LPN/LVN to teach a new diabetic client how to administer insulin

A nurse threatens to restrain a verbally abusive client if the abuse continues. Which legal tort has the nurse committed?

Assault

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

Having recently completed a specialty nursing program in neonatal care, a nurse is now preparing to leave the medical unit and begin providing care in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The nurse has completed which process of credentialing?

Certification

A nurse is providing care to an older adult client. The client has been alert and independent with ambulation but now is exhibiting some confusion along with being unsteady when getting out of bed and walking. The nurse fails to report and document this change in status. No safety measures are taken and the client falls while getting out of bed to use the bathroom and fractures a hip. The client is experiencing significant pain from the fractured hip and requires surgery to repair the fracture. The nurse is sued for malpractice. Which action reflects the element of causation in this case?

Lack of safety measures implemented with status change

Which statement about laws governing the distribution of controlled substances is true?

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

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?

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?

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?

The State Board of Nurse Examiners

Which best exemplifies malpractice?

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

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

On finding multiple bruises on a client's arms and back, the nurse suspects that the client is being abused by a daughter who lives with the client. When questioned, the client denies any abuse. Despite the client's denial, the nurse should report the suspected abuse on the basis of which rationale?

The nurse has a legal and ethical responsibility to report the suspected abuse.

Nurses complete incident reports as dictated by the agency protocol. What is the primaryreason nurses fill out an incident report?

To improve quality of care

Which action constitutes battery?

An older adult client refuses an intramuscular injection, but the nurse administers it.

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 mostappropriate action of the nurse?

Obtain a medical order.

A nurse talks with family members about an AIDS client from the clinic where the nurse works. Which tort has the nurse committed?

invasion of privacy