Foundations of Nursing Chapter 23 Legal Implications in Nursing Practice – Flashcards

The nurse is learning about nursing malpractice. Which statements should the nurse consider as good nursing practice? Select all that apply. 1 Nursing notes can be illegible as long as the nurse can read them. 2 Nursing notes should be maintained properly. 3 Nursing records should be properly preserved. 4 Institutions should maintain complete nursing records. 5 Only basic duties should be recorded in nursing records.

A student nurse is gossiping with colleagues about a patient's many romantic relationships. The registered nurse warns the student nurse about talking about the patient's personal life in a public place. The nurse's warning is intended to prevent which error? 1 Assault 2 Libel 3 Invasion of privacy 4 Defamation of character

Following an accident at a job site, a patient's employer contacts the hospital and asks the nurse about the patient's condition to determine the patient's likelihood of returning to work in the future. Which is the best response by the nurse to the employer? 1 "You need to speak to the primary healthcare provider." 2 "We can send the patient's medical records for your reference." 3 "The patient is doing well and will definitely be able to return to work." 4 "You will have to get the patient's permission to receive any related information."

An 8-year-old girl is brought to the emergency room with severe abdominal pain. The nurse has to get consent before medical treatment can be started. The parents of the child are divorced, and the mother has custody. The patient is accompanied by her mother, father, and elder sister, who is 19 years old. Who should sign the consent form of the patient? 1 The patient's father 2 The patient's sister 3 The patient herself 4 The patient's mother

A patient has a fractured femur that is placed in skeletal traction with a fresh plaster cast applied. The patient experiences decreased sensation and a cold feeling in the toes of the affected leg. The nurse observes that the patient's toes have become pale and cold but forgets to document this because one of the nurse's other patients experienced cardiac arrest at the same time. Two days later the patient in skeletal traction has an elevated temperature, and he is prepared for surgery to amputate the leg below the knee. Which statements regarding a breach of duty apply to this situation? Select all that apply. 1 Failure to document a change in assessment data 2 Failure to provide discharge instructions 3 Failure to follow the six rights of medication administration 4 Failure to use proper medical equipment ordered for patient monitoring 5 Failure to notify a health care provider about a change in the patient's condition

The home health nurse notices significant bruising on a 2-year-old child's head, arms, abdomen, and legs. The patient's mother describes the child's frequent falls. Which is the best nursing action for the home health nurse to take? 1 Document the findings and treat the child. 2 Instruct the mother on safe handling of a 2-year-old child. 3 Contact a child abuse hotline. 4 Discuss this story with a colleague.

The nurse notes that the healthcare unit keeps a listing of the patient names at the front desk in easy view for healthcare providers to more efficiently locate the patient. Which does this action violate? 1 Mental Health Parity Act (MHPA) 2 Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) 3 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) 4 Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA)

The nurse stops to help in an emergency at the scene of an accident. The injured party files a suit, and the nurse's employing institution insurance does not cover the nurse. Which would probably cover the nurse in this situation? 1 The nurse's automobile insurance 2 The nurse's homeowner's insurance 3 The Good Samaritan laws, which grant immunity from suit if there is no gross negligence 4 The Patient Care Partnership, which may grant immunity from suit if the injured party consents

The nurse is caring for a patient who is in early stages of cardiac failure. The patient tells the healthcare provider and the nurse that he wishes to end his life without any suffering as soon as possible. Which would be the most appropriate action? 1 Assist the patient in suicide as per his wish. 2 Explain to the patient that his life can be extended. 3 Ask the patient's family to make decisions regarding the patient's death. 4 Ask the patient to wait for court orders regarding the decision.

The occupational nurse is speaking to a patient who has started a new job after working for a company for 6 months. The patient is worried about losing health insurance. Which advice should the nurse give to the patient? 1 "You should not have left the job." 2 "Don't worry. You will not lose insurance coverage." 3 "You should apply for your new health plan as soon as possible." 4 "I am not able to help you. Please consult with the health law advocate."

A patient who is hospitalized with chronic illness is depressed and demands to go home. The nurse applies a physical restraint and administers medication to the patient. What does this nursing intervention indicate? 1 The nurse is following Good Samaritan laws. 2 The nurse may be charged with malpractice. 3 The nurse is guilty of invading the patient's privacy. 4 The nurse may be charged with false imprisonment.

A patient has just been diagnosed with hepatitis B. Which is the most appropriate nursing action to avoid invasion of privacy? 1 Inform the patient's spouse about the disease. 2 Do not inform the patient or the family members about the disease. 3 Obtain permission from the patient to inform the patient's spouse about the disease. 4 Obtain informed consent from the spouse to reveal the illness to the patient.

What should the nurse do to avoid malpractice and the resulting professional negligence? Select all that apply. 1 Strictly follow the given standards of care. 2 Regularly update current nursing knowledge. 3 Properly document all assessments and interventions. 4 Avoid explaining medical procedures to patients. 5 Complete health documentation at the end of the shift.

Which essential criteria are used to establish nursing malpractice? Select all that apply. 1 The nurse owed a duty to a patient. 2 The nurse followed the instructions given for a patient. 3 The nurse did not follow an ordered intervention for a patient. 4 The nurse conveyed appropriate discharge instructions to the patient. 5 The nurse's failure to carry out the duty caused an injury to the patient.

Which is an example of statutory law? 1 Americans with Disabilities Act 2 Laws about the patient's right to refuse treatment 3 Laws about acquiring informed consent from the patient 4 Laws about the need to report unethical nursing conduct to the State Board of Nursing

While caring for an 8-year-old patient, the nurse finds that the child appears scared of the parents and has bruises on the soles of the feet and on the back. Which laws obligate the nurse to report suspected abuse to law enforcement authorities? 1 Public health laws 2 Good Samaritan Act 3 Mental Health Parity Act 4 Failure to act laws

The nurse attends to a patient who sustained injuries when crossing the street. The patient was hit by a car that failed to stop at a stop sign. The patient was rushed to the emergency department and then to surgery to repair injuries. After surgery, the patient was transferred to the medical-surgical unit for postsurgical management. The healthcare provider informs the nurse that patient confidentiality should be strictly maintained. What should the nurse interpret from this? Select all that apply. 1 The nurse should respect that the patient has the right to keep personal information from being disclosed. 2 The nurse should avoid discussing the patient's medical reports in public areas with other healthcare professionals. 3 The nurse should not disclose information about a procedure to the patient. 4 The nurse must protect any private information about the patient, once it has been disclosed in healthcare settings. 5 Message boards where daily nursing care information is posted in the patient's room cannot contain information revealing the patient's medical condition.

The nurse has failed to obtain informed consent before performing a procedure on a patient. Which type of torts result from this nursing action? Select all that apply. 1 Assault 2 Battery 3 Negligence 4 False imprisonment 5 Libel

The nurse has been falsely accused of providing inadequate care to a patient by another nurse. The nurse has received praise in the past for providing quality care to the patients. Which tort does this indicate? 1 Libel 2 Slander 3 Malpractice 4 Invasion of privacy

The nurse attends to a trauma patient who has been transferred from the intensive care unit (ICU). The nurse finds out that the ICU nurse provided a detailed explanation on the patient's condition to the family without consent from the patient. The ICU nurse also gave the patient a steroid shot even though the patient refused the medication. Which torts would the ICU nurse be guilty of? Select all that apply. 1 Malpractice 2 Battery 3 Invasion of privacy 4 Negligence 5 Defamation of character

Which statements best describe a consent form? Select all that apply. 1 It may be signed by an emancipated minor. 2 It protects the healthcare facility but not the healthcare provider. 3 It signifies that the patient understands all aspects of the procedure. 4 It signifies that the patient and family have been told about the procedure. 5 It must be signed by the patient or responsible party at the healthcare facility, and consent may not be obtained by phone or fax.

A surgeon obtains patient consent for an appendectomy. While operating, the surgeon also removes the patient's gall bladder. This mistake could be classified as which type of tort? 1 Assault 2 Battery 3 False imprisonment 4 Defamation of character

A nursing student is learning about the role of the State Board of Nursing. Which are functions of the State Board of Nursing? Select all that apply. 1 Provides for the rights of patients and protects employees 2 Gives nursing home residents the right to be free of restraints 3 Can suspend the license of the nurse who violates licensing provisions 4 Licenses all registered nurses in the state in which they practice 5 Has to follow due process before revoking or suspending a license

A group of nurses makes a list of patients who require organ transplantation. Which patient would be given priority for organ transplantation? 1 The patient who is most critically ill 2 The patient who is a very young age 3 The patient who will pay more for the intervention 4 The patient who lives in close proximity to the healthcare center

A student nurse who has not been trained to administer medications is assisting a registered nurse while caring for various patients in the general ward. Which intervention by the student nurse may result in a malpractice lawsuit? 1 Collecting the vital signs of a patient 2 Administering a subcutaneous injection 3 Checking the body mass index of a patient 4 Assisting the registered nurse with an enteral nutrition feeding

A patient is abusive and rude with the student nurse. The student nurse documents that the patient is uncooperative and shows symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. As a result the patient will be transferred to a different floor. Which is the best classification of this nurse's error? 1 Libel 2 Slander 3 Malpractice 4 Invasion of privacy

The nurse is caring for a surgical patient in the preoperative area. The nurse witnesses the patient's informed consent for the surgical procedure. Which statements are true regarding informed consent? Select all that apply. 1 It must be signed while the patient is free from mind-altering medications. 2 It can be witnessed by the nurse or nursing student. 3 It may be withdrawn at any time. 4 It must be signed by patients age 16 and older. 5 It is usually obtained by the healthcare provider and not the nurse.

The nurse is caring for a patient who recently had coronary bypass surgery. Which legal sources of standards of care should the nurse use to deliver safe healthcare? Select all that apply. 1 Information provided by the nurse manager 2 Policies and procedures of the employing hospital 3 State Nurse Practice Act 4 Regulations identified in The Joint Commission's manual 5 The American Nurses Association standards of nursing practice

Which actions, if performed by a registered nurse, would result in both criminal and administrative sanctions against the nurse? Select all that apply. 1 Taking or selling controlled substances 2 Refusing to provide healthcare information to a patient's child 3 Reporting suspected abuse and neglect of children 4 Applying physical restraints without a written physician's order 5 Administering the wrong medication to the patient

The surgical nurse is collecting the necessary documents to obtain a patient's informed consent before a surgery. In which instance should the nurse refrain from obtaining informed consent? 1 The patient voices no concerns regarding the surgery. 2 The patient was administered morphine. 3 The patient's family members are not present. 4 The surgery is associated with risk for severe complications.

The nurse is caring for a 6-year-old child with hypovolemic shock. The child is a Jehovah's Witnesses. The child needs an immediate blood transfusion, but the child's parents refuse to provide consent. Which would be the most appropriate action? 1 Administer blood to the child. 2 Administer intravenous fluids. 3 Provide oral hydration and nutrition. 4 Seek court order for blood transfusion.

A woman who is a Jehovah's Witness has severe life-threatening injuries and is hemorrhaging following a car accident. The healthcare provider ordered two units of packed red blood cells to treat the woman's anemia. The woman's husband refuses to allow the nurse to give his wife the blood. What is the nurse's responsibility? 1 Obtain a court order to give the blood. 2 Coerce the husband into giving the blood. 3 Call security and have the husband removed from the hospital. 4 Abide by the husband's wishes and inform the healthcare provider.

The nurse is assessing a postsurgical patient who is in acute pain. The patient is not willing to change position for x-rays. The nurse tells the patient that a sedative injection will be administered if the patient does not cooperate for the procedure. Which tort is indicated? 1 Assault 2 Battery 3 Invasion of privacy 4 False imprisonment

The hospital administrators warn the nurse about being negligent while providing patient care. Which is the most appropriate reason for the warning? 1 The nurse has threatened a patient with the use of physical restraints to control the patient. 2 The nurse has published the wrong assessment findings of a patient in a scientific journal. 3 The nurse has given an excessive dose of hepatotoxic drug to a patient with liver failure. 4 The nurse has informed the spouse about the patient's disease without the patient's consent.

The nurse is learning about negligence in unintentional torts. Which actions would the nurse consider as common acts of negligence? Select all that apply. 1 Failure to follow orders 2 Failure to perform malpractice 3 Failure to document monitoring 4 Failure to follow policies and guidelines 5 Failure to explain the risks of a surgery to a patient

A patient suffering from cardiac arrest is brought to the hospital. The patient previously underwent a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and angioplasty, and the patient has been chronically ill since then. The patient has requested in writing that not to be resuscitated in case of emergency. What is the term for this request? 1 Living will 2 Implied consent 3 Informed consent 4 Power of attorney

A patient is brought to the hospital after a motor vehicle accident. Which law makes it mandatory for the healthcare facility to provide emergency care to patients before transferring them to other hospitals? 1 Good Samaritan Law 2 Mental Health Parity Act 3 Americans with Disabilities Act 4 Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act

The nurse received a hand-off report at the change of shift in the conference room from the night shift nurse. The nursing student assigned to the nurse asks to review the medical records of the patients assigned to them. The nurse begins assessing the assigned patients and lists the nursing care information for each patient on each individual patient's message board in the patient rooms. The nurse also lists the patients' medical diagnoses on the message board. Later in the day the nurse discusses the plan of care for a patient who is dying with the patient's family. Which action violates the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)? 1 Discussing patient conditions in the nursing report room at the change of shift 2 Allowing nursing students to review patient charts before caring for patients to whom they are assigned 3 Posting medical information about a patient on a message board in the patient's room 4 Releasing patient information regarding terminal illness to family when the patient has given permission for information to be shared

The nurse notes that an advance directive is on a patient's medical record. Which statement best describes an advance directive guideline? 1 A living will allows an appointed person to make healthcare decisions when the patient is in an incapacitated state. 2 A living will is invoked only when the patient has a terminal condition or is in a persistent vegetative state. 3 The patient cannot make changes in the advance directive once admitted to the hospital. 4 A durable power of attorney for health care is invoked only when the patient has a terminal condition or is in a persistent vegetative state.

A patient who has tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) tells the nurse, "I feel helpless. My boss fired me because I'm HIV positive." Which is the best response by the nurse? 1 "Don't worry. You're protected by Good Samaritan laws." 2 "Don't lose hope. Take this as an opportunity to spend time with your family." 3 "I understand your feelings, but I think you should concentrate on your health now." 4 "You should approach a lawyer. You're protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act."

Hospital administrators have warned the healthcare team about invasion of a patient's privacy. Which could have been the reason for this warning? 1 The nurse read text messages on the patient's cell phone. 2 The health care provider asked the nurse to catheterize the patient. 3 The nurse published a report on the patient's condition without his or her consent. 4 The healthcare team provided cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) without the family's consent.

When witnessing a patient giving informed consent prior to undergoing surgery, which actions should the nurse perform? Select all that apply. 1 If the patient refuses to sign the consent, leave the situation as it is. 2 Confirm that the patient has understood the information about the surgery. 3 Inform the healthcare provider if the patient refuses to undergo the surgery. 4 Sign the consent form as a witness, once the patient voluntarily gives consent. 5 Ask a nursing student to witness the informed consent if the nurse is busy.

A patient dies after receiving care from the nurse. In what circumstance would the nurse be legally protected by the Good Samaritan Act? 1 The nurse provides standard care in the hospital setting, but the patient cannot be saved due to severe injury. 2 The nurse provides emergency care outside the hospital, performing a procedure for which the nurse has been trained. 3 The nurse performs an emergency procedure that is normally outside the nurse's scope of practice because no one else is available at the scene. 4 The nurse does not provide care at the scene but puts the patient in a car heading to the hospital.

A patient was rushed to the emergency department and then to surgery to repair injuries sustained in a hit-and-run car accident. After surgery, the patient was transferred to the medical-surgical unit for postsurgical management. The healthcare provider informs the nurse that the patient has a durable power of attorney for health care (DPAHC). How should the nurse interpret this information? Select all that apply. 1 The patient can decide which medical procedures not to undergo. 2 The patient has designated a person who is solely responsible for making financial decisions when the patient is unable. 3 The patient has expressed in written form the wish not to be sustained on life support. 4 The patient has designated a person who makes healthcare decisions when the patient is not able to make decisions. 5 The patient has designated a person who is solely responsible for making healthcare decisions according to the patient's wishes.

The nurse is learning about the legal implications in nursing practice. Which statements are true about the various sources of law? Select all that apply. 1 Civil laws protect the rights of individuals in the society. 2 Common law presents decisions made by administrative bodies. 3 Criminal laws protect society by providing punishment for crimes. 4 Criminal laws are passed to protect society from nursing negligence. 5 Regulatory law reflects decisions made by administrative bodies when they pass rules.

The nurse wraps and ties a cloth to prevent bleeding from the site of injury for a patient who is a victim of a traffic accident. The patient is taken to the hospital and presents with signs of infection. Which action will be taken against the nurse? 1 The nurse will not face any action. 2 The nurse will be given a warning for gross negligence. 3 The nurse will face liable charges for not getting an informed consent. 4 The nurse will be sued for not obtaining orders from the primary healthcare provider before intervening.

A terminally ill patient does not want to be resuscitated if complications arise. Which document would record the patient's wishes regarding treatment? 1 Nurse's records 2 Living will 3 Health care proxies 4 Durable powers of attorney

The nurse is explaining the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to a patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Which information should the nurse include? Select all that apply. 1 People with HIV who are asymptomatic also come under the category of disabled people. 2 People with HIV have the right to decide whether to disclose their infection. 3 Healthcare workers have the choice to not treat patients who are HIV positive. 4 Healthcare professionals who are HIV positive can also choose to decide whether to disclose their infection. 5 The motive of ADA is to provide equal opportunities for people with disabilities.