The registered nurse who works in the obstetrics department is walking by the emergency department waiting room when a person cries out, "Help me! My mother is not breathing!" Does this nurse have a duty to assist?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Rationale 1: Even if the nurse is not assigned to a particular patient, a general duty of care arises if the patient presents with an emergency or is in need of instant help. Therefore, this nurse has a duty to assist in this situation.
Rationale 2: The fact that the nurse is out of the normal working environment does not relieve the general duty of care.
Rationale 3: The nurse is an employee of the hospital; therefore, a general duty of care exists.
Rationale 4: This nurse has the duty to provide care at the level of a prudent registered nurse, not as an emergency department nurse.

The Registered Nurse Who Works in the Obstetrics Department Is