Deck 4: Ethical and Legal Aspects

Question 1

The nurse is caring for four patients.In which patient situation is the nurse utilizing the core professional value of social justice?

A)The nurse notifies a social worker after talking to a patient who is unable to keep his blood glucose within a normal range and discovers that the patient is unable to shop for himself and depends on family members to bring him food,much of which is fast food.
B)The nurse is caring for a patient who is hearing impaired and ensures that a sign language interpreter is present when the health-care provider explains the patient's lung cancer treatment plan.
C)The nurse is caring for a patient who is waiting for the results of a lung biopsy.When the patient asks the nurse if the biopsy is back and what does it show,the nurse responds,"Yes,the biopsy is back and your health-care provider will be here within 30 minutes to discuss the results with you."
D)The nurse is caring for a patient who refuses to receive any blood products even though the patient's hemoglobin is 5.7 mg/dL.The nurse discusses the benefits of receiving the transfusion,but the patient still refuses so the nurse notifies the health-care practitioner of the patient's decision.

Answer 1

The nurse is caring for a patient who is hearing impaired and ensures that a sign language interpreter is present when the health-care provider explains the patient's lung cancer treatment plan.

Question 2

A nurse leader is responsible for discipline and at times must notify the state board of nursing if the situation that involves the nurse is serious enough.For which situation would the nurse leader most likely notify the state board of nursing? Select all that apply.

A)The nurse made a medication error and notified the health-care provider and stayed with the patient until the medication had passed through the patient's system.
B)The nurse took money from the drawer next to the patient's bed while the patient slept.
C)The nurse was convicted of driving 20 miles over the speed limit and not wearing a seat belt.
D)The nurse was convicted of driving while under the influence on the way home from work.
E)The nurse wrote vital signs in a patient's chart without taking vital signs.

Answer 2

The nurse took money from the drawer next to the patient's bed while the patient slept.
The nurse was convicted of driving while under the influence on the way home from work.
The nurse wrote vital signs in a patient's chart without taking vital signs.

Question 3

The nurse is caring for a patient who has a health-care practitioner's order to ambulate three times a day.The last two times the nurse has requested the patient ambulate,the patient has refused.After explaining both the benefits of ambulating and the consequences of not ambulating,the patient still refuses to get out of bed.The nurse documents that patient's refusal and notifies the health-care provider.What core professional value is the nurse upholding with this patient?

A)Integrity
B)Human dignity
C)Autonomy
D)Altruism

Answer 3

Autonomy

Question 4

The nurse is caring for a patient who suffered a broken hip after attempting to go to the bathroom.The nurse had assigned a nursing assistant to assist this patient to the bathroom.It is determined that the nurse is not guilty of malpractice.Which element was not present for malpractice to be charged?

A)The injury was not very severe.
B)The nursing assistant had assisted many patients to the bathroom.
C)The nurse was not aware that a fall could cause an injury.
D)The nurse did not have a duty to the patient because the nursing assistant was responsible.

Question 5

The nurse is caring for a teenage girl who just gave birth to a baby girl.The patient tells the nurse that she is planning to breastfeed,but the nurse responds,"I'm just going to bring you formula for your baby.You are very young and breastfeeding requires a lot of patience and is difficult for women who are much more mature than you are." What nonethical principle is the nurse demonstrating in this statement and action to the patient?

A)Paternalism
B)Malpractice
C)Negligence
D)Deception

Question 6

The nurse is aware that in which situation is there a potential for a violation of a patient's right to confidentiality?

A)The patient's medical record was read by an unauthorized person.
B)The patient's conversation with a family member was overheard by someone in the hall.
C)The patient's interview with the nurse was shared with the patient's sister.
D)The patient's social security number is copied by an unauthorized person.

Question 7

The nurse leader of an acute care facility has set up a policy for the nursing staff concerning using vacation time.This policy states that nursing staff may use only 40 hours of vacation at any one time to prevent staffing deficiencies.A nurse requests to use 80 hours of vacation to be able to take a cruise.The decision is that 40 hours of vacation time is the maximum allowed.What ethical theory is the nurse leader using in this situation?

A)Utilitarianism
B)Deontology
C)Principlism
D)International Council of Nurses Code of Ethics

Question 8

The nurse is responsible for administering medications to a patient with hypertension.The health-care provider decreased the patient's dose of antihypertension medication at 7 p.m.The next morning,the nurse administered the original dose of antihypertension medication to the patient.The nurse notes the error immediately upon documentation and notifies the health-care provider.The nurse checks the patient's blood pressure frequently,and no significant drop in blood pressure is noted.What essential element of malpractice is lacking in this medication error?

A)Breach of duty owed the patient
B)Foreseeability of harm
C)Duty owed the patient
D)Injury or harm

Question 9

A nurse in the emergency department treated a 6-week-old infant who had sustained fractures of the right femur and right humerus,and the nurse files a report with the state agency that oversees possible child abuse cases.After 6 months it was determined the infant had a congenital condition that caused the fractures.Today the nurse received word that a lawsuit had been filed against the nurse.This nurse recognizes that protection from this lawsuit is available because of what legislation?

A)Good Samaritan Law
B)State disclosure statute
C)State employment laws
D)State Nurse Practice Act

Question 10

The nurse is sharing information received during a patient interview with different health-care providers.In which of these interactions does the nurse breach the patient's confidentiality?

A)The nurse shares with the patient's health-care provider that the patient has been drinking four to six beers per day.
B)The nurse documents in the patient's health-care record that the patient is unable to adequately see an insulin syringe.
C)The nurse discusses the patient's marital difficulties with nurses from another unit.
D)The nurse calls the social worker because the patient states he is unable to afford the prescribed medication.

Question 11

Upon admission,a patient is given a copy of the rights of all patients and that health-care facility's policy and procedures to protect these rights.When asked by the patient the reason for this paperwork,the nurse replies that it is required by what governmental legislation?

A)Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
B)Good Samaritan Law
C)Safe Medical Devices Act
D)Patient Self-Determination Act

Question 12

A nurse makes an entry on social media concerning a patient situation that occurred during a recent shift at an acute care facility.The patient was notified by an acquaintance who recognized the patient from the description in the entry.Did the nurse who posted the entry commit malpractice?

A)No,because the nurse did not foresee that this would bring harm to the patient.
B)Yes,because the nurse had a duty to the patient and breached that duty through the posted entry.
C)No,because not all five elements of malpractice were present.
D)Yes,because all five elements of malpractice are present.

Question 13

The nurse is caring for a patient who has limited vision.Which ethical principle is the nurse upholding by ensuring that there are no obstacles present between the patient's bed and the bathroom?

A)Veracity
B)Confidentiality
C)Fidelity
D)Beneficence