Deck 7: Understanding Legal and Ethical Issues

Question 1

The nurse completes an admission assessment with the client. The client hands the nurse two documents. The documents state the treatment the client wants withheld if permanently unconscious, in the event of terminal illness, and the primary physician's order for no heroics. The nurse communicates in report that copies of which documents are located in the chart? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and not incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Do-Not-Resuscitate order (DNR)
B) Tort
C) Living will
D) Will
E) Durable power of attorney (DPOA)

Answer 1

Do-Not-Resuscitate order (DNR)
Living will

Question 2

The nurse acknowledges which principles are most directly related to nursing care and play a role in solving ethical dilemmas? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Beneficence
B) Distributive justice
C) Autonomy
D) Negligence
E) Non-maleficence

Answer 2

Beneficence
Distributive justice
Autonomy
Non-maleficence

Question 3

Restraining clients without consent or sufficient justification may be interpreted as ________.

Answer 3

false imprisonment
Explanation: Restraining clients without consent or sufficient justification may be interpreted as false imprisonment. In addition to legal rights, the use of restraints involves ethical issues such as autonomy and beneficence.

Question 4

The RN recognizes that in cases of conflict involving client care decisions which principle overrides beneficence?

A) Negligence
B) Autonomy
C) Non-maleficence
D) Distributive justice

Question 5

The nurse manager has had two incidents happen on the unit in the last month. An LPN administered an intravenous push (IVP) medication to a client and a nurse noticed alcohol on another nurse's breath. The manager is aware that the ________ will take action after being notified of these incidents.

Question 6

Which of the following elements fall under unintentional torts? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Vicarious liability
B) Respondent superior
C) Negligence
D) Malpractice
E) Intentional torts

Question 7

Which of the following requirements are necessary for informed consent? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Privacy
B) Voluntariness
C) Capacity
D) Information
E) Coercion

Question 8

The nurse discerns that the responsibilities essential in obtaining informed consent include which of the following? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Determine that the client receives and understands information.
B) Probabilities of success
C) The client exercises freedom of choice without coercion.
D) Get consent signed before discussion of treatment.
E) Sign consent form as a competent adult.

Question 9

The nurse acknowledges the job of the State Boards of Nursing is to secure the safety of the public by which of the following? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Practice defined by each state
B) Practice protecting the client's privacy
C) National licensure exam
D) Regulation of practice
E) Nationwide continuing education credits

Question 10

The charge nurse observes another nurse access a client's medical record. When asking about this behavior the nurse responds, "As a nurse I have the right to know what type healthcare coverage my clients have." What are the best responses to this nurse? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) "Are you assigned to this client?"
B) "You are not planning care for this client."
C) "This is a breach of confidentiality."
D) "What is your purpose in accessing the clients' healthcare coverage?"
E) "If you are not giving any type of care to this client, you should not be accessing the client's record."

Question 11

Which of the following are examples of statutory laws? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Informed consent
B) Marriage by mutual agreement
C) Disability benefits
D) Licensing laws
E) Elder abuse

Question 12

For malpractice to exist, which of the following elements must be present? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Causation
B) Defamation
C) Breach of duty
D) Duty
E) Injury

Question 13

A client has been diagnosed with leukemia and is scheduled to talk with the oncologist. After listening to the oncologist talk about treatment plans the client states, "God will take care of me. I don't want any treatment." The nurse knows the client has exercised the principle of ________.

Question 14

For malpractice to exist, which of the following elements must be present? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Causation
B) Defamation
C) Breach of duty
D) Duty
E) Injury

Question 15

A client is admitted for back pain and the client's family plans with the nurse what interventions will be initiated for the client. The issue with this plan of care is the lack of ________.

Question 16

Which of the following requirements are necessary for informed consent? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Privacy
B) Voluntariness
C) Capacity
D) Information
E) Coercion

Question 17

A 14-year-old client tells the nurse that she is going to have sexual activity with her boyfriend. What should the nurse say to the client? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) "You need to make an appointment to get birth control."
B) "Tell me more about this decision."
C) "Have you told anyone about this decision?"
D) "Do you have any insurance to pay for this visit?"
E) "I'll have to tell your parents about this."

Question 18

Which document serves to inform the nurse and the public of nursing expectations in ethical matters?

A) The International Code of Ethics for Nurses
B) The Code of Ethics of the American Nurses Association
C) The American Association of Critical Care Nurses Ethics Work Group
D) Ethical Foundations for Critical Care Nursing Research