NF.1: CH.3- Laws and Ethics

A nurse has a duty of nonmaleficence. Which action would be considered a contradiction to that duty?

refusing to administer pain medication as prescribed

Which ethical principle is related to the idea of self-determination?

Autonomy

A group of nurse researchers has proposed a study to examine the efficacy of a new wound care product. Which aspect of the methodology demonstrates that the nurses are attempting to maintain the ethical principle of nonmaleficence?

The nurses are taking every reasonable measure to ensure that no participants experience impaired would healing as a result of the study intervention

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

slander

A nurse observes another nurse place an unused dose of narcotics in their pocket. If caught, the nurse could be charged with which type of crime?

felony

In the delivery of care, the nurse acts in accordance with nursing standards and the code of ethics and reports a medication error that she has made. The nurse is most clearly demonstrating which professional value?

integrity

The student nurse tells her family about a client with AIDS that she cared for in clinical yesterday. Which tort has the student committed?

invasion of privacy

When the nurse informs a client's employer of his autoimmune deficiency disease, the nurse is committing the tort of:

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 providing client care in a hospital setting. Who has full legal responsibility and accountability for the nurse's actions?

the nurse

Which clinical events constitute areas of potential liability for the nurses involved? Select all that apply.

-An elderly client develops skin breakdown on his coccyx because he was turned infrequently. -A client experiences a seizure after a missed dose of his scheduled anticonvulsant medication. -A confused client experiences a fall because her bed rails where left in a lowered position.

The client is a 40-year-old man admitted for repair of a femoral fracture. He discloses that he has a history of an addiction to painkillers and asks that the nurse assist him in adhering to his recovery from this addiction by not administering any narcotics. As the nurse reviews postoperative orders for the client, the nurse notes that his physician has ordered Codeine 30 mg p.o. q6 hours for pain. How does the nurse best approach this situation? `

Asks the physician to remove this order from the client's chart.

A woman age 83 years who has suffered a cerebrovascular accident and is unable to swallow refuses the insertion of a feeding tube. This is an example of what ethical principle?

Autonomy

A nurse is providing care to two clients who are sharing the same room. The nurse is preparing to give one of the clients a complete bed bath. Which action by the nurse would suggest liability related to invasion of the client's privacy?

Keeping the curtain between the two clients in the room open

A client who is mentally incapacitated is scheduled to undergo surgery. The nurse demonstrates understanding of the principle of autonomy and checks the client's health record to ensure that consent has been obtained from which person?

Surrogate decision-maker

A nurse witnesses a 50-year-old woman go into cardiac arrest while traveling in a train and attempts to resuscitate her. In spite of the nurse's efforts, the woman dies, and the family members file a suit against the nurse. Which of the following statements about Good Samaritan Laws is applicable here?

The Good Samaritan Law will likely protect the nurse because she acted in the woman's best interest

Which is not true regarding Nurse Practice Acts?

Theydescribe what medications nurses can prescribe.

The client is a 2-month-old infant extremely ill from HSV sepsis. Her mother and father have decided to stop additional medical intervention and allow the infant to pass away naturally. The mother does not want her relatives to know that they plan to stop pursuing aggressive medical treatment because it is against their family's religious beliefs to withdraw medical support. What does the nurse tell the client's mother?

Yes, it is her decision who to inform about the family's medical decision.

An RN enters a client's room and observes the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) forcefully pushing a client down on the bed. The client starts crying and informs the UAP of the need to go to the bathroom. What action is the RN witnessing that should be immediately reported to the supervisor?

battery

A mother always thanks clerks at the grocery store. Her daughter, age 6 years, echoes her thank you. The child is demonstrating what mode of value transmission?

modeling

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 protect the safety of the public

A registered nurse had 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 Nursing Examiners

What are credentialing processes used in nursing? Select all that apply.

- Legal accreditation is the process in which the state evaluates and recognizes an educational nursing program. -A license to practice is earned by an individual and may not be revoked without due process. -A nurse holding certification by a U.S. professional nursing organization has demonstrated advanced proficiency.

Which theory of ethics prioritizes the nurse's relationship with clients and the nurse's character in the practice of ethical nursing?

Care-based ethics

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 most appropriate action of the nurse?

Obtain a medical order

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

A client states that his recent fall was caused by the fact that his scheduled antihypertensive medications were 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.

Two nurses are discussing a client's condition in an elevator full of visitors. With what crime might the nurses be charged?

Invasion of privacy

A nurse using the principle-based approach to client care seeks to avoid causing harm to clients in all situations. What is this principle known as?

Nonmaleficence

Which of the following illustrates the activity of acting in values clarification?

Which of the following illustrates the activity of acting in values clarification?

A client who is scheduled for abdominal surgery gives informed consent. While reviewing the client's medical record, the nurse identifies the consent form, interpreting it as most reflective of:

protection of the client's right to self-determination in decision making