Question 1

Which of the following would be considered negligent malpractice if performed by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Delaying assessment of a patient with a reported blood pressure of 70/40 mm Hg can cause harm to the patient and is considered negligent malpractice.

Answer: B 
 Delegating blood glucose levels to a UAP goes beyond their scope of practice and is considered negligent malpractice.

Answer: C 
 Notifying a healthcare provider of a patient's drop in blood pressure is part of the nurse's duty to report any significant changes in a patient's condition. Failure to do so would be considered negligent malpractice.

Answer: None of the above 
 Responding to a patient in respiratory distress is within the scope of nursing practice and would not be considered negligent malpractice.

Question 2

State Boards of Nursing (SBON)grant licensure to nurse who successfully pass the NCLEX exam.They also regulate the practice of nursing with the Nurse Practice Act of each state.What is the primary purpose of the SBON?

Accepted Answer

The primary purpose of SBON is to protect the public by regulating the practice of nursing through licensing and enforcing the Nurse Practice Act of each state. While SBON does grant licensure to nurses who pass the NCLEX exam, this is not their primary purpose. SBON does not defend the nurse or establish nurse/patient ratios for the state.

Question 3

A nurse driving on the highway comes upon a crash that has just occurred.There are no paramedics on the scene and the damage indicates that people inside the cars may have incurred life-threatening injuries.Which of the following is the most appropriate action by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

The most appropriate action by the nurse is to stop and provide help. Good Samaritan laws protect individuals who provide assistance in an emergency situation from liability as long as reasonable care is taken. The nurse has a duty to act in this situation to provide aid and potentially save lives. It is recommended that the nurse call 911 and provide any necessary first aid until emergency services arrive. Choosing option A or D could result in the individual not receiving necessary care and potentially worsening their injuries. Choosing option C is not the most appropriate action as the nurse is in a better position to provide immediate assistance until emergency services arrive.

Question 4

FLAT charting is an acronym used to remember the rules for good charting.The letters remind the nurse to chart Factually,Legibly,Accurately,and Timely.Which of the following is the most appropriate use of the acronym in charting?

Accepted Answer

Choice A includes factual information about the patient's activity and oxygen saturation levels, is legible and easy to read, accurately describes the patient's condition, and is timely in that it is charted soon after the event occurred. The other choices are either incomplete or lack important details, making it difficult for other healthcare providers to understand the patient's condition and plan appropriate care.

Question 5

A new nurse is hired to work in an acute care hospital.He was advised by Human Resources that liability insurance is not necessary because the institution has coverage for all employees.Which of the following responses by the nurse is best?

Accepted Answer

It is always wise to have personal liability insurance to protect oneself in case of a legal case or conflict. Even if the institution provides coverage, it may not always cover the individual nurse completely or may have limitations. Personal liability insurance covers the full interests of the nurse in case of a suit or dispute.

Question 6

Informed consent requires that the patient has received specific information regarding the benefits of having the procedure as well as what will happen if the procedure is not performed.Which of the following must also be applied for it to be legal?

Accepted Answer

Competency refers to the patient's ability to understand the information provided and make a decision based on that information. Voluntariness refers to the patient making the decision freely without being coerced or influenced. Both of these factors are necessary for informed consent to be considered legal. While alternatives and risks, cost and benefits, and risks and discomfort are important aspects to consider when obtaining informed consent, they are not the only factors required for it to be legal.

Question 7

HIPAA was passed in 1996 to protect a patient's right to privacy.Nurses must obtain permission from the patient to release information,even to family members.What should the nurse say to a person on the telephone who is claiming to be a relative of the patient and is inquiring about his condition?

Accepted Answer

The answer of HIPAA was passed in 1996 to protect...

Question 8

Which of the following would constitute negligence if performed by a nurse?

Accepted Answer

Failing to inform the healthcare provider about a patient's complaint of chest pain could lead to serious harm or deterioration of the patient's condition, constituting negligence.

Question 9

Nurses are responsible for delivering safe appropriate care.If a patient is erroneously accessed for a prothrombin time instead of his roommate,the nurse is obligated to do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Completing an incident report is the appropriate action for the nurse to take in this situation. This will document the error and allow for a review of the situation to prevent similar errors in the future. The nurse may also need to notify the physician, nurse manager, and risk management, but completing an incident report is the first step.

Question 10

A nurse is moving to another state where she plans to practice nursing.Which of the following should she do to legally practice in another state?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should seek reciprocity in the new state, which allows her to transfer her nursing license from one state to another, provided both states have an agreement or are part of the Nurse Licensure Compact.

Question 11

If a nurse is caught confiscating pain medication for personal use,which procedure must be followed?

Accepted Answer

The state board of nursing must be contacted as they are responsible for regulating the practice of nursing and ensuring that nurses adhere to professional and ethical standards. The matter must be investigated by the board, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken based on the findings. In some cases, the nurse may also face criminal charges for drug diversion. It is not appropriate to simply give the nurse a second chance or to fire them without going through the proper disciplinary process.

Question 12

Physical restraints are only allowed when the patient is at risk to themselves or others.Which of the following does the nurse understand about the use of restraints?

Accepted Answer

The use of physical restraints should be the last resort when all other options have been exhausted. If restraints are necessary, the least restrictive type must be used to ensure the safety and well-being of the patient. Choice A is incorrect because pulling out a Foley catheter is not a safety risk to the patient or others. Choice B is incorrect because it is not sufficient justification for using physical restraints. Choice D is incorrect because an order must always be obtained before the use of physical restraints.

Question 13

The advance medical directive and the living will are confused by patients and staff.Which of the following explains the difference?

Accepted Answer

The advance directive outlines the patient's wishes while they are still competent, while a living will designates a person to make healthcare decisions if the patient is no longer able to. An advance directive can also include do not resuscitate directives. The statement regarding a living will being signed by two nonrelated people and never being altered is incorrect.

Question 14

On admission the patient provides the nurse a copy of their living will.The nurse understands that this document will do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A living will is a legal document that provides directions regarding end-of-life care, including preferences for life-sustaining measures, such as mechanical ventilation and artificial nutrition and hydration. It is used when a person is unable to make decisions for themselves and is primarily concerned with preserving the individual's rights to refuse unwanted medical interventions.

Question 15

Malpractice is the failure to act as another prudent nurse with the same knowledge and education would act under similar circumstances.Which of the following indicates malpractice?

Accepted Answer

Failure to act when a patient refuses to be turned and develops pressure ulcers is considered malpractice as it goes against the standard of care for preventing pressure ulcers. The nurse has a duty to follow preventative measures for pressure ulcers even if the patient refuses, and failure to do so can result in harm to the patient. The other options may be considered negligent or below standard of care, but do not necessarily constitute malpractice.

Question 16

Which of the following would constitute negligence if performed by a nurse?

Accepted Answer

It is the nurse's duty to ensure patient safety, and failure to prevent a fall that caused injury would be considered negligence.

Answer: B and C 
 Restraints should only be used as a last resort and should be used based on the patient's specific needs and according to facility policy. Failure to use restraints when necessary or using them improperly would be considered negligence.

Answer: D 
 It is important for the nurse to communicate changes in a patient's condition to the appropriate parties, including family members, and failure to do so could be considered negligence.

Question 17

The nurse manager is responsible for ensuring that all nurses are licensed and that they are properly renewed.When a nurse's license is being investigated for possible disciplinary action,the nurse manager must take which of the following actions?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse manager is responsible for ensuring...

Question 18

When delegating care to a UAP for a patient in wrist restraints,what is the correct procedure to be followed by the UAP?

Accepted Answer

When delegating care to a UAP for a patient in wrist restraints, it is important to ensure that the restraints are removed one arm at a time to allow cleansing and range of motion exercises. This helps to prevent contractures and maintain joint mobility. It is important to provide clear instructions to the UAP and ensure that they understand the importance of frequent range of motion exercises.

Question 19

The Patient Self-Determination act allows for refusal of care.Which of the following situations illustrates a patient's right to refuse care?

Accepted Answer

Signing out AMA (Against Medical Advice) is a patient's right to refuse care, as long as they are deemed competent to make their own medical decisions.

Question 20

A patient refuses treatment and decides to leave the hospital against medical advice.The nurse stands in the patient's doorway and tells him he cannot leave because he may die,and she refuses to let him pass.Which of the following does this action imply?

Accepted Answer

The nurse is committing false imprisonment by physically stopping the patient from leaving, even though the patient has clearly stated their intention to leave against medical advice. False imprisonment involves unlawfully restraining or restricting an individual's freedom of movement without a legal justification. Although the nurse may have the patient's best interests in mind, it is not ethical or legal to forcibly prevent the patient from leaving. The patient has the right to make their own decisions about their healthcare, even if it may result in harm or adverse consequences.

Quiz 18: Legal Issues in Healthcare

Which of the following would be considered negligent malpractice if performed by the nurse?

State Boards of Nursing (SBON) grant licensure to nurse who successfully pass the NCLEX exam.They also regulate the practice of nursing with the Nurse Practice Act of each state.What is the primary purpose of the SBON?

A nurse driving on the highway comes upon a crash that has just occurred.There are no paramedics on the scene and the damage indicates that people inside the cars may have incurred life-threatening injuries.Which of the following is the most appropriate action by the nurse?

FLAT charting is an acronym used to remember the rules for good charting.The letters remind the nurse to chart Factually,Legibly,Accurately,and Timely.Which of the following is the most appropriate use of the acronym in charting?

A new nurse is hired to work in an acute care hospital.He was advised by Human Resources that liability insurance is not necessary because the institution has coverage for all employees.Which of the following responses by the nurse is best?

Informed consent requires that the patient has received specific information regarding the benefits of having the procedure as well as what will happen if the procedure is not performed.Which of the following must also be applied for it to be legal?

HIPAA was passed in 1996 to protect a patient's right to privacy.Nurses must obtain permission from the patient to release information,even to family members.What should the nurse say to a person on the telephone who is claiming to be a relative of the patient and is inquiring about his condition?

Which of the following would constitute negligence if performed by a nurse?

Nurses are responsible for delivering safe appropriate care.If a patient is erroneously accessed for a prothrombin time instead of his roommate,the nurse is obligated to do which of the following?

A nurse is moving to another state where she plans to practice nursing.Which of the following should she do to legally practice in another state?

If a nurse is caught confiscating pain medication for personal use,which procedure must be followed?

Physical restraints are only allowed when the patient is at risk to themselves or others.Which of the following does the nurse understand about the use of restraints?

The advance medical directive and the living will are confused by patients and staff.Which of the following explains the difference?

On admission the patient provides the nurse a copy of their living will.The nurse understands that this document will do which of the following?

Malpractice is the failure to act as another prudent nurse with the same knowledge and education would act under similar circumstances.Which of the following indicates malpractice?

Which of the following would constitute negligence if performed by a nurse?

The nurse manager is responsible for ensuring that all nurses are licensed and that they are properly renewed.When a nurse's license is being investigated for possible disciplinary action,the nurse manager must take which of the following actions?

When delegating care to a UAP for a patient in wrist restraints,what is the correct procedure to be followed by the UAP?

The Patient Self-Determination act allows for refusal of care.Which of the following situations illustrates a patient's right to refuse care?

A patient refuses treatment and decides to leave the hospital against medical advice.The nurse stands in the patient's doorway and tells him he cannot leave because he may die,and she refuses to let him pass.Which of the following does this action imply?