Deck 7: The Nurses Legal Accountabilities

Question 1

Which of the following is the best example of an intentional tort?

A) A nurse assaults a patient.
B) A nurse makes a medication error,resulting in an adverse reaction in the patient.
C) A nurse is abusing substances while at work.
D) A nurse accidentally runs a commode over and bruises a patient's foot.

Answer 1

A nurse assaults a patient.

Question 2

A nurse who performs a procedure beyond her level of skill and ability would be considered incompetent.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Which of the following describes an employer's responsibility in relation to the standard of care?

A) To address the effects of nurse absenteeism on patient care
B) To evaluate all nurses on an annual basis to ensure that they are meeting standards
C) To implement an improvement plan for nurses who do not meet standards
D) To ask for expert nurses who exceed standards to mentor other nurses

Answer 3

To implement an improvement plan for nurses who do not meet standards

Question 4

A nurse whose lack of actions demonstrates disregard for the lives or safety of others is liable for which of the following?

A) Criminal incompetence
B) Statutory negligence
C) Professional malpractice
D) Criminal negligence

Question 5

In a case where a nurse's conduct is in question,the standard of care used in court would be the actions of a reasonably competent nurse in similar circumstances.

Question 6

Contributory negligence means that the patient,as the plaintiff,is partly responsible for the harm she suffered.

Question 7

Which of the following may a nursing expert witness be called to a trial to do?

A) To interpret the health care record
B) To interpret the educational qualifications of the nurse in question
C) To present regulatory body standards
D) To describe previous malpractice incidents regarding the nurse in question

Question 8

Failing to meet a standard of practice of the nursing profession would be called malpractice.

Question 9

How do the courts determine if a nurse's conduct has been negligent?

A) The standard of care is used as an objective measure.
B) The professional standards are used as a subjective measure.
C) Only an appellate court can determine this.
D) This would go before a disciplinary review board,not the courts.

Question 10

In order to prove negligence,which three elements must be present?

A) Duty of care is owed,duty of care is breached,damage is a direct result
B) Duty of care is breached,indirect damage is present,duty of care is owed
C) Duty of care is breached,damage is a direct result,damage is permanent
D) Duty of care is breached,indirect damage results,damage is permanent

Question 11

An assault occurs when a person intentionally threatens another person with imminent harm.

Question 12

The nurse's duty of care to patients and clients is based on professional standards of care.