Deck 3: Nursing Practice and the Law

Question 1

Which of the following should be included in a discussion of advance directives with new nurse graduates?

A)According to the Patient Self-Determination Act, nurses are required to inform clients of their right to create an advance directive.
B)The advance directive designates an individual who will make financial decisions for the client if he or she is unable to do so.
C)A living will designates who will make health-care decisions for an individual in the event the individual is unable or incompetent to make his or her own decisions.
D)The advance directive designates a health-care surrogate who will make known the client's wishes regarding medical treatment if the client is unable to do so.

Answer 1

The advance directive designates a health-care surrogate who will make known the client's wishes regarding medical treatment if the client is unable to do so.

Question 2

Which of the following is a recommendation for avoiding charges of negligence and false imprisonment for confused clients?

A)Carefully assess and document client status.
B)Ensure all patient information is closed and the nurse has signed out of the computer before leaving the computer station.
C)Keep careful notes while providing care so that documentation later in the day is accurate.
D)Discuss safety needs with clients.

Answer 2

Carefully assess and document client status.

Question 3

As an RN stands in line for the cafeteria cashier, he overhears the staff in front of him talking about a client the RN took care of earlier in the week.The client's room number is mentioned along with the diagnosis and prognosis.Which of the following actions should the RN take?

A)Join in the conversation in case the RN is assigned to care for the client in the future.
B)Remind the staff members that they are in a public location and sharing this information is a breach of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
C)Correct a statement made by one of the staff members.
D)Ignore the conversation,

Answer 3

Remind the staff members that they are in a public location and sharing this information is a breach of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Question 4

An RN comes upon a serious motor vehicle accident that has just occurred and no first responders are on the scene.One car has been flipped upside down and she can see the driver still in the car.The RN decides to stop and help.She knows she is protected from civil liability as long as she does which of the following?

A)Acts in an ordinary, reasonable, and prudent professional manner
B)Assures that information obtained is not communicated to anyone else
C)Does not make any verbal comments that could lead to economic harm
D)Fails to meet the established standards of practice

Question 5

Two RNs are discussing the benefits of professional liability insurance.Which of the following is a reason for an RN to have a professional liability insurance policy?

A)No expense is involved in frivolous lawsuits.
B)If a nurse is found guilty of malpractice, the institution cannot sue the nurse.
C)Liability policies may also cover charges of libel, slander, assault, and HIPAA violations.
D)Only doctors are sued for malpractice.

Question 6

An RN enters a patient's room to place an indwelling urinary catheter, as ordered by the health-care professional.The client is alert and oriented and tells the RN he wants to leave the hospital now and not receive further treatment.Which of the following actions by the RN would be considered false imprisonment?

A)The RN tells the client he is not allowed to leave until the physician has released him.
B)The RN asks the client why he wishes to leave.
C)The RN asks the client to explain what he understands about his medical diagnosis.
D)The RN asks the client to sign an against medical advice discharge form.

Question 7

Which of the following categories does a violation of the nurse practice act fall under?

A)Juvenile
B)Felony
C)Misdemeanor
D)Tort

Question 8

An RN's client with terminal pancreatic cancer asks questions about a do not resuscitate order.Which of the following statements should be included in the RN's teaching to the client?

A)When a heart ceases to beat, the client is pronounced clinically dead.
B)Physicians must write do not resuscitate (DNR) orders.
C)A DNR order can be written after the health-care provider has discussed it with the client and family.
D)A DNR requires a court decision.

Question 9

Which of the following is a potential benefit to social media?

A)Sharing the fun side of nursing by posting a video of nurses singing and dancing in the hallways of the hospital while on duty
B)Connecting with clients to keep up with their health status
C)Connecting with the public to encourage healthy behaviors
D)Sharing pictures of interesting clinical experiences with friends

Question 10

A postop nurse is caring for a client after knee replacement.She discovers the consent was not signed before the surgery.Which of the following charges could be filed?

A)False imprisonment
B)Libel
C)Battery
D)Malpractice

Question 11

There are several pitfalls that should be avoided when using social media of any type.For example, a nurse or student could be found guilty of libel in which of the following scenarios?

A)Snapping a selfie with a patient
B)Posting a positive review of the hospital where the student completed clinicals
C)Creating a closed online forum where students can discuss clinical experiences without providing client information
D)Complaining about her nurse preceptor on social media, discussing the preceptor's unprofessional characteristics.

Question 12

Which of the following laws govern nursing practice?

A)Statutory laws
B)Common laws
C)Administrative laws
D)Constitutional laws

Question 13

A registered nurse (RN) administered a patient's morning insulin as the breakfast tray arrived at 0800.The RN performed a complete assessment at the same time.Then, the RN got busy with her other patients and did not check on the patient until 1400.At that time, she found the patient unresponsive with a blood glucose of 23.Both the breakfast and lunch tray were at the bedside untouched.Which of the following could the RN be charged with?

A)Quasi-intentional tort
B)Misdemeanor
C)Negligence
D)Juvenile offense

Question 14

An RN is writing reminders for good documentation for the nurses on her staff.The purpose is to ensure nursing documentation is legally credible.Which of the following is a recommendation she should include in the reminders?

A)Use shortcuts in documentation.
B)Only use approved abbreviations.
C)Documentation should be subjective.
D)Document after care is provided.

Question 15

Which of the following is true of malpractice?

A)Malpractice occurs when a professional shares information about a patient that could damage that patient's reputation.
B)Malpractice is a serious criminal offense.
C)Malpractice is a minor criminal offense.
D)Malpractice is a negligent act by an individual whose duties require specialized education.