Deck 2: Legal and Ethical Aspects of Nursing

Question 1

When seeking advice involving the patient's right to refuse medication,the nurse should most appropriately consult:

A) a minister or priest.
B) the hospital ethics committee.
C) the nursing supervisor.
D) a more experienced nurse.

Answer 1

the hospital ethics committee.

Question 2

A nurse considering purchasing malpractice insurance should be aware that malpractice insurance provided by the hospital:

A) only offers protection while on duty.
B) is limited in the amount of coverage.
C) is difficult to renew.
D) can be terminated at any time.

Answer 2

only offers protection while on duty.

Question 3

Patients have expectations regarding the health care services they receive.To protect these expectations,which has become law?

A) American Hospital Association's Patient's Bill of Rights
B) Self-Determination Act
C) American Hospital Association's Standards of Care
D) JCAHO rights and responsibilities of patients

Answer 3

American Hospital Association's Patient's Bill of Rights

Question 4

By protecting the information in a patient's record,the nurse fulfills the ethical responsibility of:

A) privacy.
B) disclosure.
C) confidentiality.
D) absolute secrecy.

Question 5

Universal guidelines that define appropriate measures for all nursing interventions that should be observed during the performance of those interventions are known as:

A) scope of practice.
B) advocacy.
C) standard of care.
D) prudent practice.

Question 6

Since a nurse's first duty is to the patient's health,safety,and well-being,it is necessary to report:

A) unethical behavior of other staff members.
B) a worker who arrives late.
C) favoritism shown by nursing administration.
D) arguments among the staff.

Question 7

The nurse has strong moral convictions that abortions are wrong.When assigned to assist with an abortion,the nurse has the right to:

A) ask for another assignment.
B) leave work.
C) transfer to another floor.
D) protest to the supervisor.

Question 8

The nurse is assisting a patient to clarify values by encouraging the expression of feelings and thoughts related to the situation.The nurse recognizes it is necessary to:

A) compare her values with those of the patient.
B) make a judgment.
C) withhold an opinion.
D) give advice.

Question 9

Assuming responsibility for a patient's care forms a legally binding situation described as:

A) nurse-patient relationship.
B) accountability.
C) advocacy.
D) standard of care.

Question 10

When confronted with an ethical decision,the nurse must observe the first fundamental principle of:

A) autonomy.
B) beneficence.
C) respect for people.
D) nonmaleficence.

Question 11

When asked to perform a procedure that the nurse has never done before,what should the nurse do to legally protect himself or herself?

A) Go ahead and do it.
B) Refuse to perform it,citing lack of knowledge.
C) Discuss it with the charge nurse,asking for direction.
D) Ask another nurse who has performed the procedure.

Question 12

Although the nurse may disagree with a do-not-resuscitate (DNR)order,legally he or she:

A) may question the doctor.
B) may seek advice from the family.
C) may discuss it with the patient.
D) must follow the order.

Question 13

An older adult is admitted to the hospital with numerous bodily bruises,and the nurse suspects elder abuse.The best nursing action is to:

A) cover the bruises with bandages.
B) take photographs of the bruises.
C) ask the patient if anyone has hit her.
D) report the bruises to the charge nurse.

Question 14

The nurse concludes that the best way to avoid a lawsuit is to:

A) carry malpractice insurance.
B) spend time with the patient.
C) provide compassionate,competent care.
D) answer all call lights quickly.

Question 15

A nurse who failed to irrigate a feeding tube as ordered resulting in harm to the patient could be found guilty of:

A) malpractice.
B) harm to the patient.
C) negligence.
D) failure to follow the Nurse Practice Act.

Question 16

The nurse who diligently works for the protection of patients' interests is functioning in the role of:

A) caregiver.
B) health care administrator.
C) advocate.
D) health care evaluator.

Question 17

The laws that formally define and limit the scope of nursing practice in that state are the:

A) standards of care.
B) regulation of practice.
C) American Nurses' Association Code.
D) nurse practice act.

Question 18

The nurse is preparing the patient for a thoracentesis.What must be completed before the procedure may be performed?

A) Physical assessment
B) Interview
C) Informed consent
D) Surgical checklist

Question 19

The new LPN/LVN is concerned regarding what should or should not be done for patients.Select the resource that will best provide this information.

A) Nurse Practice Act
B) Standards of care
C) Scope of nursing practice
D) Professional organizations

Question 20

When a nurse becomes involved in a legal action,the first step to occur is that a document is filed in an appropriate court.This document is called a(n):

A) deposition.
B) appeal.
C) complaint.
D) answer.

Question 21

A nurse could be cited for malpractice in the event of:

A) refusing to give 60 mg of morphine as ordered.
B) giving prochlorperazine (Compazine)to a patient allergic to phenothiazines.
C) dragging an injured motorist off the highway and causing further injury.
D) informing a visitor about a patient's condition.

Question 22

What is true about nurse practice acts?

A) They informally define the scope of nursing practice.
B) They provide for unlimited scope of nursing practice.
C) Only some states have adopted a nurse practice act.
D) The nurse must know the nurse practice act within his or her state.

Question 23

A physician instructs the nurse to bladder train a patient.The nurse clamps the patient's indwelling urinary catheter but forgets to unclamp it.The patient develops a urinary tract infection.The nurse's actions are an example of:

A) malpractice.
B) battery.
C) assault.
D) neglect of duty.

Question 24

Acts whose performance is required,permitted,or prohibited are defined by ___________ of ______________.

Question 25

How can the medical record be used in litigation? (Select all that apply.)

A) Public record
B) Proof of adherence to standards
C) Evidence of omission of care
D) Documentation of time lapses
E) Evidence by only the plaintiff

Question 26

During a lunch break,an emergency department (ED)nurse truthfully tells another nurse about the condition of a patient who came to the ED last night.What is the ED nurse guilty of? (Select all that apply.)

A) HIPAA violation
B) Slander
C) Libel
D) Invasion of privacy
E) Defamation

Question 27

Personal beliefs about the worth of an object,idea,custom,or attitude that influence a person's behavior in a given situation are referred to as ___________.

Question 28

A lumbar puncture was performed on a patient without a signed informed consent form.This may be a situation in which a patient could sue for:

A) punitive damages.
B) civil battery.
C) assault.
D) nothing; no violation has occurred.

Question 29

Which is a nursing care error that violates the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?

A) Administering a stronger dose of drug than was ordered
B) Refusing to give a patient's daughter information over the phone
C) Informing the patient's medical power of attorney of a medication change
D) Leaving a copy of the patient's history and physical in the photocopier

Question 30

A nurse failed to monitor a patient's respiratory status after medicating the patient with a narcotic analgesic.The patient's respiratory status worsened,requiring intubation.The patient's family claimed the nurse committed malpractice.For the nurse to be held liable ___________________ must be present? (Select all that apply.)

A) A nurse-patient relationship.
B) The nurse failed to perform in a reasonable manner.
C) There was harm to the patient.
D) The nurse was prudent in her performance.
E)The nurse did not cause the patient harm.
F)Duty does not exist.