Question 1

A patient has requested that certain information remain confidential.Which of the following is an exception to maintaining patient confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

The only exception to maintaining patient confidentiality is when the patient or others are in danger. The nurse must disclose the information to appropriate individuals or authorities to protect the safety of the patient or others. All other options (A, B, and C) would violate patient confidentiality.

Question 2

A competent patient in the nurses's care becomes angry,insists on leaving against medical advice,and refuses to sign the waiver acknowledging that he has been advised that leaving is not recommended at this time.What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

It is the patient's right to refuse medical treatment and leave the facility against medical advice. As a nurse, it is important to educate the patient on the potential risks and consequences of leaving, but ultimately it is their decision. Holding onto their personal effects or involving security or police would be a violation of the patient's rights and could potentially lead to legal issues. It is important for the nurse to document the patient's decision and their education on the risks of leaving against medical advice.

Question 3

A patient in the nurse's care is unaware of her diagnosis of terminal cancer and asks the nurse about it.The patient's physician is refusing to give her the diagnosis because he is concerned about her reaction to the news.The nurse should be honest with the patient and tell her the diagnosis.

Accepted Answer

The nurse should respect the physician's decision and the established protocol, and encourage the patient to discuss her concerns directly with her physician.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes a "right"?

Accepted Answer

A "right" is a claim or privilege to which one is justly entitled, either legally or morally. It implies a certain level of entitlement that has been earned or is inherent to individuals or groups. This often carries with it corresponding obligations, such as the responsibility to respect others' rights.

Question 5

A patient with terminal cancer is brought to the Emergency Room after collapsing at home,having ingested too much nitroglycerin spray.The patient stops breathing while in the nurse's care in the Emergency Room.The nurse is aware of the patient's terminal status,so he should not initiate CPR.

Accepted Answer

While the patient's terminal status may be a consideration in the decision to initiate CPR, the nurse should follow protocols and guidelines for basic life support and provide CPR to the patient when necessary to attempt to revive them. Nitroglycerin can cause vasodilation and decrease blood pressure, potentially leading to respiratory and cardiac arrest. Therefore, CPR may be necessary to maintain the patient's circulation and oxygenation.

Question 6

A patient in the nurse's care is being investigated for diarrhea.The nurse remembers this patient from another facility and recalls that he was diagnosed as HIV-positive,but the patient denies this to the nurse.How should the nurse proceed?

Accepted Answer

The nurse has a duty to report any potential infectious disease to the appropriate authorities, such as the manager or infection control team. However, the nurse should not confront or challenge the patient over his honesty, as this may damage the therapeutic relationship and violate the patient's confidentiality. It is important to handle the situation in a professional and sensitive manner while ensuring the safety of all involved.

Question 7

The nurse is in the process of obtaining informed consent from a patient.Which of the following best describes this process?

Accepted Answer

The process of obtaining informed consent is the nurse's obligation to ensure that the patient is fully aware of the procedures, risks, and benefits involved in their care. It is the nurse's responsibility to uphold the patient's autonomy and right to make informed decisions about their health care, but ultimately the decision to consent or not lies with the patient.

Question 8

A 34-year-old patient in the nurse's care has explicitly given a no-CPR direction to the nurse,but this has not been documented.The patient has an unexpected sudden cardiac arrest.The nurse should refrain from calling a code and starting CPR.

Accepted Answer

The nurse should still call a code and start CPR, even if no-CPR direction was explicitly given by the patient, because it was not documented in the medical record. The absence of documentation can create legal and ethical issues, especially if the patient's wishes were not clearly conveyed or if the patient lacked decision-making capacity at the time of the conversation with the nurse. Therefore, the nurse should always follow the hospital's protocol for resuscitation and inform the healthcare team of the situation.

Question 9

What is the purpose of a mental health act?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the purpose of a mental...

Question 10

What immediate action should the nurse take if she makes a medication error resulting in harm to the patient?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should immediately inform her manager or supervisor to ensure that the appropriate steps are taken to address the error and mitigate harm to the patient.

Question 11

A resident in the Operating Room should be allowed to participate in all aspects of a surgery because the patient signed a general surgical consent form.

Accepted Answer

A general surgical consent form does not automatically grant permission for a resident to participate in all aspects of a surgery; specific consent may be required for their involvement.

Question 12

Most provinces have enacted legislation regulating access to personal health information.In Ontario's statute,which is one of the most comprehensive,what is the main purpose of information and privacy legislation?

Accepted Answer

The main purpose of information and privacy legislation, as stated in Ontario's statute, is to establish rules for the collection, use, and disclosure of personal health information. This legislation is designed to ensure that personal health information is protected and shared appropriately, while still allowing healthcare providers to access the information they need to provide high-quality care. The other options (A, B, and D) are not accurate descriptions of the purpose of information and privacy legislation as it pertains to personal health information.

Question 13

What should the nurse do if a patient asks to see her medical record?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should refer the patient to the physician or the medical records department as they are the ones authorized to release medical records. The nurse should not share her own personal medical record with a patient.

Quiz 10: Patient Rights