Question 1

When differentiating between slander and libel,the nurse knows that libel is characterized by what action?

Accepted Answer

Libel involves written statements that are defamatory, whereas slander involves spoken defamation. Choice A, which mentions written comments in the nurse's notes, correctly identifies an action characteristic of libel.

Question 2

Which nursing situation demonstrates the greatest need for individual malpractice insurance to help manage professional legal risk? (Select all that apply. )

Accepted Answer

A,B,D,E

Question 3

A client arrives in active labor and exhibits toxemia with irregular fetal heart tones.The client is an immigrant and is uninsured.Which act would prevent the client from being transferred to another facility?

Accepted Answer

The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Law (EMTALA) requires hospitals to provide care to anyone needing emergency healthcare treatment regardless of citizenship, legal status, or ability to pay. Therefore, it would prevent the client from being transferred to another facility without first stabilizing her condition.

Question 4

A primary health provider prescribes a drug for a patient with a known allergy,it is administered and results in anaphylactic shock.What statement is accurate regarding disclosure of this event?

Accepted Answer

Disclosure is a fundamental aspect of the national patient safety movement, emphasizing transparency and accountability in healthcare to improve patient trust and safety outcomes.

Question 5

Although a hospital reversed all charges when a client was the victim of wrong site surgery,the court awarded the client $1.5 million.The client could return to work in 6 weeks and had no permanent damages.This monetary compensation is referred to by what term?

Accepted Answer

Punitive damages are awarded in addition to actual damages in certain circumstances. Punitive damages are considered punishment and are typically awarded when the defendant's conduct is found to be especially harmful. In this case, even though the hospital reversed the charges, the court awarded $1.5 million as punitive damages to punish the hospital for the wrong site surgery, which is a significant error.

Question 6

A nurse is caring for a client with malignant hypertension whose blood pressure has increased by 40 mm Hg during the past hour.The nurse goes to lunch and fails to report the change to the physician.The nurse is at risk for being charged with which legal claim?

Accepted Answer

Negligence involves a breach of duty of care that results in harm. In this scenario, the nurse's failure to report a significant change in a patient's condition could lead to harm, fitting the criteria for negligence.

Question 7

A nurse who functions in the role of team leader can be held negligent for matters involving what focus?

Accepted Answer

A nurse functioning as a team leader can be held negligent for improper delegation, as they are responsible for ensuring tasks are assigned appropriately based on staff competence and patient needs.

Question 8

When can a nurse detain a client by implementing restraints?

Accepted Answer

Restraints can only be legally and ethically used when there are current prescribed instructions for their use, typically to ensure the safety of the patient or others. This requires a physician's order or a similar directive in a healthcare setting.

Question 9

A nurse is caring for a client who just suffered a stroke and is medicated for pain.The nurse completes the following interventions: places the client on the examining table,completes a thorough history and physical,covers the client with a sheet,places the call button within reach,and goes out in the hall to speak with the client's primary care provider.The client tries to get up to speak with his family and falls,sustaining a hematoma on the head and a broken hip.The nurse's actions reflect which legal claim?

Accepted Answer

The nurse's failure to ensure the safety of a client who just suffered a stroke and was medicated for pain, leading to the client's fall and subsequent injuries, reflects negligence. Negligence in nursing involves failing to take proper care in doing something, leading to harm or injury to a patient.

Question 10

Which components must be included regarding informed consent? (Select all that apply. )

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which components must be included regarding informed...

Question 11

When the client is unable to make medical decisions,authorization that allows another person to make these decisions is referred to by what term?

Accepted Answer

Durable power of attorney for healthcare is a legal document that grants someone else the authority to make medical decisions on behalf of the person if they are unable to do so themselves.

Question 12

A physician shares with the patient's family that,while a central line was being inserted,the patient's lungs were inadvertently punctured,which required oxygen administration.The physician also explains that a chest x-ray indicated the lung remained intact and no additional treatment was required.The physician's role in this instance is based on what legal principle?

Accepted Answer

The physician's role in this instance is based on the legal principle of disclosure, which requires healthcare providers to inform patients or their families about the outcomes of treatments, including any complications or mistakes that occurred during the process.

Question 13

A nursing student planning to apply for licensure knows that being charged with which offense would result in a misdemeanor criminal offense?

Accepted Answer

Failing to report elder abuse is considered a misdemeanor criminal offense in many jurisdictions. This is because it is a legal requirement for certain professionals, including healthcare workers, to report suspected cases of elder abuse. Failure to do so can result in criminal charges. The other options listed typically involve more severe charges or different types of offenses.

Question 14

A blood reaction occurrence is noted in a client who did not receive pretransfusion care as clearly documented in the facility's policies and procedures.The nurse providing care is liable for which legal tort?

Accepted Answer

Criminal negligence is the correct answer because it involves a disregard for the safety or life of others, which can include failing to follow established policies and procedures that are designed to protect patients, such as those involving pretransfusion care. This can result in harm to the patient, for which the nurse could be held legally responsible.

Question 15

What examples should the nurse provide to best describe an advance directive? (Select all that apply. )

Accepted Answer

An advance directive includes instructions about personal preferences for medical procedures (B) and designating someone to make decisions on one's behalf if incapacitated (C).

Question 16

Which types of abuse are the nurse required to report or be subject to fines and imprisonment for not reporting? (Select all that apply. )

Accepted Answer

Child and infant abuse are required to be reported by nurses.

Question 17

A nurse testifies at trail that a professional with the knowledge and skill of an RN should understand that,before administering digoxin,the client's potassium level and pulse level is always checked to prevent negative effects on cardiac output.The nurse's testimony as to what constitutes reasonable care is based on what criteria source?

Accepted Answer

The nurse's testimony is based on the legal definition of standard of care, which outlines the level of care and skill that a reasonably competent health care professional, with a similar background and in a similar community, would have provided under similar circumstances. This includes necessary precautions like checking a patient's potassium and pulse levels before administering certain medications, such as digoxin, to ensure safe and effective care.

Question 18

A nurse is assigned to a unit other than the one she is normally assigned due to increased census on the alternate unit.She is assigned to care for seven patients and participates in walking rounds where the patient's condition and needs are discussed between oncoming and off-going shifts of the interdisciplinary team.The nurse carefully makes notes of all pending orders and prioritizes needs.The nurse enters the cafeteria later and the notes accidentally fall from her pocket,which contain the above information that contains patient sensitive data.The liabilities arising from this incident would be covered under what issue?

Accepted Answer

The liabilities arising from the incident would be covered under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects the privacy and security of patients' health information. Losing notes with patient-sensitive data violates HIPAA regulations.

Question 19

A client states,"I am leaving.No one here knows what they are doing." The nurse completing the Against Medical Advice form must implement what intervention to best assure client safety?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A client states,"I am leaving.No one here...

Question 20

All hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds must ask clients whether they have a living will or a durable power of attorney.What legislative act makes this action mandatory?

Accepted Answer

The answer of All hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds...

Quiz 8: Legal Issues in Nursing and Health Care