Deck 2: Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Aspects of Health Care Delivery

Question 1

A patient cries quietly while undergoing a painful treatment. The nurse realizes that although the treatment is painful, it is necessary for the patient's healing and recovery. Which ethical principle does this situation exemplify?

A) Paternalism
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Veracity
D) Respect for others

Answer 1

Nonmaleficence

Question 2

A health care provider is reviewing the steps taken to address an ethical issue with a patient. Within which step of the MORAL model is this health care provider working?

A) Massage the dilemma.
B) Look back and evaluate.
C) Outline the options.
D) Act by applying the chosen option.

Answer 2

Look back and evaluate.

Question 3

The nurse has been asked to join a group reviewing patient-focused functions in the hospital. Which situations would the nurse anticipate reviewing?.Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Number of cases reviewed by the ethics committee over the last year
B) How information is managed in the hospital
C) Processes used to identify patients at risk for infection after surgery
D) The hospital's hiring practices
E) Implementation of a new drug distribution system

Answer 3

Number of cases reviewed by the ethics committee over the last year
Processes used to identify patients at risk for infection after surgery
Implementation of a new drug distribution system

Question 4

The health care team is confronted with an ethical dilemma surrounding the types of care available for a particular patient. The team decides to apply ethical principles to determine the best course of action for this patient. This is an example of which ethical theory?

A) Deontological theories
B) Principlism
C) Utilitarianism
D) Teleological

Question 5

A patient tells the nurse manager that he is going to charge a nurse with battery for actions that occurred in the emergency department. Which characteristics of battery should the manager consider when formulating a response?.Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) For battery to occur, actual contact must be made.
B) Battery could not have occurred unless the patient specifically told the nurse not to touch him just before the contact occurred.
C) Battery can occur even if the patient is not touched.
D) For the patient to prove battery, an injury must have occurred.
E) It will be difficult for the patient to prove battery occurred because he gave consent for treatment.

Question 6

The hospital benefits manager describes a health care program in which the nurse employee will pay a certain amount of money each month for comprehensive health services. The nurse will have a primary physician who will direct care within a specific network of providers. The nurse's heath care must be provided by these in-network physicians. The nurse will have which type of health care?

A) Health maintenance organization (HMO)
B) Traditional insurance service plan
C) Independent practice association (IPA) coverage
D) Preferred provider organization (PPO)

Question 7

The nursing staff at a local hospital are unable to get to work because of deteriorating weather conditions. The administration realizes the lack of staff to provide care will impact which quality standard?

A) Improvement
B) Structure
C) Outcome
D) Process

Question 8

A patient tells the nurse that he had made some decisions about his care when he thought he was going to die, but now that he knows he isn't, he wants all possible medical treatment. Which nursing action is indicated?

A) Tell the patient that he cannot change is mind or treatment plan.
B) Change the patient's classification in the medical record.
C) Contact social services to discuss the change in plans.
D) Contact the health care provider for the patient to discuss the patient's decision.

Question 9

A patient tells the nurse that her primary care provider wants her to see a specialist, but the specialist is out of the network and her deductible will be higher. The nurse realizes the patient is a member of which type of health care organization?

A) Medicare
B) Health maintenance organization (HMO)
C) Independent practice association (IPA)
D) Preferred provider organization (PPO)

Question 10

The nurse is a member of a committee that is studying the frequency of medication errors. Other committee members include a health care provider, pharmacist, pharmacy technician, and nurse manager. The nurse is most likely participating in which specific type of quality process?

A) Total quality management
B) Continuous quality improvement
C) Quality improvement
D) Quality assurance

Question 11

A 46-year-old patient, unemployed and diagnosed with kidney disease, tells the nurse that he is having difficulty with his medical bills. What should the nurse do to help this patient?

A) Work with the pharmacist to determine which medications the patient can discontinue and still maintain an acceptable level of health.
B) Suggest the patient take prescribed medications every other day to make the prescription last longer.
C) Ask social services to discuss Medicare as a health care coverage option.
D) Assure the patient that the nurse will ask the health care provider if the patient can be quickly discharged to home.

Question 12

The state board of nursing has notified a hospital about the changes in mandatory continuing education requirements for the nurses. The administration realizes these changes would impact which activity?

A) Regulations
B) Accreditation
C) Licensure
D) Life safety

Question 13

A patient tells the nurse that he had money in the top drawer of his bedside table that is now missing. He is phoning his attorney and plans to press charges. The nurse realizes this patient is planning to implement which type of law?

A) Contract law
B) Tort law
C) Common law
D) Criminal law

Question 14

A patient tells the nurse that if he does not wake up after surgery, his friend should be contacted because the friend knows what should be done concerning his health care needs. After referring to the patient's medical record, the nurse realizes that the friend has which relationship with the patient?

A) The patient's best friend
B) The patient's health care power of attorney
C) The patient's next-door neighbor
D) The patient's brother

Question 15

At the end of a scheduled work shift, the nurse asks each of his patients if there was anything he could have done to make their day more comfortable. The nurse is most likely participating in which process?

A) Quality improvement
B) Self-assessment
C) Continuous quality improvement study
D) Departmental assessment

Question 16

A patient in the emergency department required resuscitation, including administration of medications, blood products, and intravenous fluids. The next day, the patient threatens legal action because blood was administered without consent. What questions should the nurse manager ask when investigating this situation?.Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Was the patient conscious when admitted?
B) Did the patient say he did not want blood products?
C) Would the patient have died if the blood product had not been administered?
D) Was another form of treatment other than administration of blood possible?
E) What is the experience level of the providers caring for this patient?

Question 17

A patient brought into the emergency department tells the nurse that she does not need anything because she cannot pay for any health services. The nurse's assessment is that the patient is very ill and needs care. What nursing actions are indicated?.Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Provide paperwork for the patient to sign out of the hospital against medical advice.
B) Explain that all care will be covered by the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).
C) Ask the health care provider for medication because the patient is confused.
D) Encourage the patient to stay until care is provided.
E) Agree that services cannot be delivered without pay and refer the patient to the local free clinic.

Question 18

A patient asks the nurse to promise that nothing bad will happen while the patient is under anesthesia for a surgical procedure. The patient is creating a conflict in which of the nurse's ethical principles?.Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Fidelity
B) Respect for others
C) Paternalism
D) Veracity
E) Autonomy

Question 19

A patient is telling the nurse manager that she believes a wrongful act occurred when she was given the wrong medication. Which type of law would the nurse expect to address this issue?

A) Criminal law
B) Common law
C) Civil law
D) Tort law