Question 1

The nurse manager learns of a staff nurse's behavior with a client.Which information suggests that nurse has committed a boundary violation?

Accepted Answer

Switching assignments to take care of a specific client can indicate a boundary violation, as it may suggest the nurse is developing an inappropriate personal relationship or favoritism towards that client, which can compromise professional boundaries and the care environment.

Question 2

The nurse prepares information to document a client's care.What should the nurse do to ensure that the documentation is complete?

Accepted Answer

Using the mnemonic F-A-C-T-U-A-L (Factual, Accurate, Complete, Timely, Unbiased, Action-oriented, and Legible) can help the nurse ensure that documentation is complete and meets the necessary standards.

Question 3

What do nursing codes of ethics support?

Accepted Answer

Nursing codes of ethics primarily support patients' rights to dignity, privacy, and safety. While emergency treatment and advance directives may be components of nursing care, they are not the primary focus of nursing codes of ethics. Requiring nurses with HIV to disclose their condition to their employer would be a violation of privacy and is not supported by nursing codes of ethics.

Question 4

The charge nurse assigns the care of a patient receiving hemodialysis to a newly hired licensed practical nurse (LPN)who has no experience caring for hemodialysis patients.The LPN fails to inform the charge nurse of not having experience with this type of patient.What should the actions of the charge nurse be considered?

Accepted Answer

The LPN's failure to inform the charge nurse of not having experience with hemodialysis patients is a breach of duty. As a result, harm was caused to the patient. This may be considered negligent behavior on the part of the LPN. The charge nurse should have assessed the LPN's competency before assigning the patient to them. Therefore, the charge nurse may also be considered negligent in their actions.

Question 5

The mother of a 4-year-old child with painful bruises and facial contusions explains that the mother's significant other pushed the child down the stairs in anger.What should the nurse do first?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should first complete a physical assessment of the child to evaluate the extent of injuries and provide necessary care.

Question 6

The nurse receives a copy of a client's advance directive.What should the nurse do with this document?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should place the client's advance directive on their medical record so that it is easily accessible by all members of the healthcare team providing care to the client. This will ensure that the client's wishes regarding their care and end-of-life decisions are respected and followed.

Question 7

While driving home from work,the nurse stops to help victims of a motor vehicle crash before an ambulance arrives.Which action ensures the nurse is functioning within the scope of the Good Samaritan laws?

Accepted Answer

Good Samaritan laws protect individuals who provide reasonable assistance to those who are injured, ill, in peril, or otherwise incapacitated. The key component of these laws is the provision of aid without expectation of reward or compensation. Contacting 911 immediately upon arriving at the scene is a clear example of providing necessary and immediate assistance, which is encouraged and protected under Good Samaritan laws. This action ensures that professional medical help is on the way, and it is a crucial step in providing aid.

Question 8

A patient argues that a statement made in the medical record is incorrect and wants it corrected.Which regulation provides the patient with the right to have the documentation corrected?

Accepted Answer

HIPAA provides patients with the right to request amendments to their medical record if they believe the information is incorrect or incomplete. The healthcare provider must either make the requested change or provide a written explanation for why the change was not made within 60 days.

Question 9

The nurse manager suspects that a staff nurse is taking narcotics from the care area.If reported,of what will this staff nurse be accused?

Accepted Answer

If a nurse is suspected of taking narcotics from the care area, they could potentially face charges of felony drug theft. Libel refers to defamatory written statements, battery refers to physical harm inflicted on another person, and misdemeanor refers to a less serious criminal offense. None of these apply to the scenario presented.

Question 10

Upon initial assessment,the nurse notes bruises and scratches on the arms,legs,and trunk of an older client.With which state law is the nurse complying when the supervisor is notified regarding this patient as a potential victim of abuse?

Accepted Answer

The nurse is complying with the Mandatory Reporting Law, which requires healthcare providers to report suspected cases of abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities.

Question 11

The nurse reviews an entry in a medical record before clicking the SAVE button.When performing this review,the nurse analyzes the content for completeness,clarity,accuracy,comprehensiveness,and which other criterion?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse reviews an entry in a...

Question 12

In which circumstance might the nurse defer obtaining informed consent for care and treatment of a patient?

Accepted Answer

In an emergency situation where the patient is not able to give consent and there is no family member or legal representative available, the nurse may need to provide life-saving treatment without obtaining consent first. This is a legal and ethical principle called implied consent, which assumes that the patient would agree to necessary treatment if they were able to do so.

Question 13

The nurse manager receives a note from a staff member's healthcare provider outlining physical limitations at work.Which information should the manager review to ensure the employee's and organization's rights are not violated?

Accepted Answer

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in the workplace and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees to perform essential job functions. The nurse manager should review the healthcare provider note to determine what accommodations may be necessary while also complying with the organization's policies and procedures. The nursing scope of practice and HIPAA do not provide relevant information for this specific scenario.

Question 14

An adolescent in labor arrives at the hospital emergency department (ED)with her mother who states the family has no medical insurance or money to pay for the delivery.What is the first step that the ED staff should take?

Accepted Answer

The first step the ED staff should take is to examine the adolescent to determine whether her condition is stable or whether she requires immediate medical attention. This is in accordance with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), which mandates that anyone coming to an emergency department must be stabilized and treated, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.

Question 15

A patient sues the nurse for a fall that occurred because the bed's siderails were not in the upright position.The judgment is for the patient to receive $2 million; however,the nurse has an occurrence policy with double limit coverage of $3 million/$10 million that covered the time period when the incident occurred.What will the nurse's insurance pay to the patient?

Accepted Answer

The nurse's insurance will pay up to the policy limit of $3 million for this occurrence. As the judgment is for $2 million, the insurance will pay the full amount of the judgment. Therefore, the nurse's insurance will pay $2 million to the patient.

Question 16

The nurse applies bilateral wrist restraints to a client threatening to leave the hospital against medical advice.What is the nurse's action considered?

Accepted Answer

Applying bilateral wrist restraints without a proper medical order or due process is considered false imprisonment.

Question 17

The nurse gives a patient the wrong medication and documents that the correct medication was given.The next staff member recognizes the error and reports the nurse to the state board of nursing.Which action can the state board of nursing take against the nurse in this situation?

Accepted Answer

The state board of nursing has the authority to take disciplinary action against a nurse's license to practice if he/she has committed a medication error and falsified documentation. The disciplinary action may include suspension or revocation of the nurse's license to practice, fines, or probation. The board may also require the nurse to complete additional training or education to regain their license. Criminal charges and medical malpractice lawsuits are usually not pursued in situations like these, and employment release from the institution is not enough to address the seriousness of the situation.

Question 18

Which law does a hospital use to determine if a patient with no healthcare coverage who is seeking medical care should receive care or be transferred to another facility?

Accepted Answer

The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) is a federal law that requires hospitals to provide emergency medical treatment to anyone who comes to the emergency department, regardless of immigration status, insurance coverage or ability to pay. This includes stabilizing an individual who is in active labor. Hospitals must follow EMTALA regulations to determine if a patient should receive care or be transferred to another facility.

Question 19

A healthcare provider prescribes a one-time ASAP dose of intravenous morphine sulfate of 25 mg for a client with a terminal illness.Which law should the nurse consult prior to responding to this healthcare provider's prescription?

Accepted Answer

The Safe Harbor laws are relevant in this context as they provide nurses with a legal framework to object to carrying out orders that they believe are harmful to patients or beyond their scope of practice. This law allows nurses to seek guidance and protection when they are asked to perform tasks that they believe could endanger patient safety, such as administering a potentially unsafe dose of medication.

Question 20

The nurse receives a document from an attorney that states a former client is suing for injuries obtained when receiving care.What should the nurse do first?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should notify the organization first, as they have legal and ethical responsibility for the care provided by their employees. This will allow the organization to take appropriate action and involve their legal and insurance teams. The nurse should not contact the client directly or speak to a lawyer without first consulting with their organization.

Quiz 44: Legal Accountability