Legal/Ethics practice questions (nclex style) – Flashcards

A registered nurse arrives at work and is told to "float" to the ICU for the day because the ICU is understaffed and needs an additional nurse to care for the clients. The nurse has never worked in the ICU. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing action? A. refuse to float in the ICU B. call the hospital lawyer C. call the nursing supervisor D. report to the ICU and identify tasks that can be safely performed

The nurse practice acts are an example of civil law. A. True B. False

The client's right to refuse treatment is an example of _________ laws.

Miss Magu, an 88-year old woman, believes that life should not be prolonged when hope is gone. She has decided that she does not want extraordinary measures taken when her life is at its end. Because she feels this way, she has talked with her daughter about her desires, completing a living will and left directions with her physician. This is an example of: A. Affirming a value B. Choosing a value C. Prizing a value D. Reflecting a value

As an advocate for the client, the nurse must make sure that "safe, effective care" is given in conformity with the A. Nurse Practice Act (NPA). B. American Nursing Association (ANA) C. National Council for Lisensure Examinations D. State Board of Licensure

The nurse puts a restraint jacket on a client without the client's permission and without the physicians order. The nurse may be guilty of assault. A. True B. False

The nurse is obligated to follow a physicians order unless: A. The order is a verbal order B. The order is illegible C. The order has not been transcribed D. The order is an error, violates hospital policy, or would be detrimental to the client

The nurse notes that an advance directive is in the client's medical record. Which of the following statements represents the best description of guidelines a nurse would follow in this case? A. A durable power of attorney for health care is invoked only when the client has a terminal condition or is in a persistent vegetative state B. A living will allows an appointed person to make health care decisions when the client is in an incapacitated state. C. A living will is invoked only when the client has a terminal condition or is in a persistent vegetative state. D. The client cannot make changes in the advance directive once the client is admitted into the hospital.

A student nurse who is employed as a nursing assistant may perform any functions that she taught in school. A. True B. False

A primary care provider's orders indicated that a surgical consent form needs to be signed. Since the nurse was not present when the primary care provider discussed the surgical procedure, which statement "best" illustrates the nurse fulfilling the client advocate role? 1. "The doctor has asked that you sign the consent form." 2. "Do you have any questions about the procedure?" 3. "What were you told about the procedure you are going to have?" 4. "Remember that you can change your mind and cancel the procedure."

Although the client refused the procedure, the nurse insisted and inserted a nasogastric tube in the right nostril. The administrator of the hospital decides to settle the lawsuit because the nurse is most likely to be found guilty of which of the following? 1. An unintentional tort 2. Assault 3. Invasion of Privacy 4. Battery

A nurse discovers that a primary care provider has prescribed an unusually large dosage of a medication. Which is the most appropriate action? 1. Administer the medication 2. Notify the prescriber 3. Call the pharmacist. 4. Refuse to administer the medication.

Nurses agree to be advocates for their patients. Practice of advocacy calls for the nurse to: A. Seek out the nursing supervisor in conflicting situations B. Work to understand the law as it applies to the client's clinical condition. C. Assess the client's point of view and prepare to articulate this point of view. D. Document all clinical changes in the medical record in a timely manner.

A primary care provider prescribes on tablet, but the nurse accidentally administers two. After notifying the primary care provider, the nurse monitors the client carefully for untoward effects of which there are none. Is the client likely to be successful in suing the nurse for malpractice? 1. No, the client was not harmed 2.No, the nurse notified the primary care provider 3. Yes, a breach of duty exists 4. Yes, foreseeability is present

Obtaining informed consent is the responsibility of A. The physician B. The RN manager C. The nurse D. The CNA

A nursing student is employed and working as an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) on a busy surgical unit. The nurses know that the UAP is enrolled in a nursing program and will be graduating soon. A nurse asks the UAP if he has performed a urinary catheterization on clients while in school. When the UAP says yes, the nurses asks him to help her by doing a urinary catheterization on a post surgical client. What is the best response by the UAP? 1. "Let me get permission from the client first." 2. "Sure, which client is it?" 3. "I can't do it unless you supervise me." 4. "I can't do it. is there something else I can help you with."

The primary care provider wrote a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. The nurse recognizes that which applies in the planning of nursing care for this client? 1. The client may no longer make decisions regarding his or her own health care. 2. The client and family know that the client will most likely die within the next 48 hours. 3. The nurses will continue to implement all treatments focused on comfort and symptom management. 4. A DNR order from a previous admission is valid for the current admission

The nurse's partner/spouse undergoes exploratory surgery at the hospital where the nurse is employed. Which practice is most appropriate 1, Because the nurse is an employee, access to the chart is allowed. 2. The relationship with the client provides the nurse special access to the chart. 3. Access to the chart requires a signed release form 4. The nurse can ask the surgeon to discuss the outcome of the surgery.

Following a motor vehicle crash, a nurse stops and offers assistance. Which of the following actions are most appropriate? Select all that apply 1. The nurse needs to know the Good Samaritan Act for the state. 2. The nurse is not held liable unless there is gross negligence 3. After assessing the situation, the nurse can leave to obtain help. 4. The nurse can expect compensation for helping. 5. The nurse offers to help but cannot insist on helping.

The nurse notices that a colleague's behaviors have changed during the past month. Which behaviors could indicate signs of impairment? Select all that apply 1. Is increasingly absent from the nursing unit during the shift. 2. Interacts well with others 3. "Forgets" to sign out for administration of controlled substances. 4. Offers to administer prn opiates for other nurse's clients 5. Is able to say "no" to requests to work more shifts.

Which nursing actions could result in malpractice? Select all that apply 1. Learns about a new piece of equipment 2. Forgets to complete the assessment of a client 3. Does not follow up on client's complaints. 4. Charts client's drug allergies 5. Questions primary care provider about an illegible order