Deck 28: The Law, the Courts, and the Advanced Practice Nurse

Question 1

Which action can the advanced practice nurse (APN) take to avoid malpractice?

A) Understand and practice within the scope of practice.
B) Understand how laws work.
C) Ensure that each client receives medical care as needed.
D) See clients within a specific specialty.

Answer 1

Understand and practice within the scope of practice.

Question 2

The advanced practice nurse (APN) has been newly hired as an independent contractor in New York State for a busy cardiac practice. Which action would violate the state's practice act?

A) Referring the client for a dobutamine stress test
B) Prescribing narcotics for a broken wrist
C) Initiating a consult for open-heart surgery
D) Placing the client on a beta blocker

Answer 2

Prescribing narcotics for a broken wrist

Question 3

The advanced practice nurse (APN) has been accused of violating a state's practice act. What can the APN expect first?

A) Restriction of license for 1 year
B) The opportunity to respond
C) A fine of $200
D) An investigation into the nurse's work history

Answer 3

The opportunity to respond

Question 4

As a provider for Medicare clients, which action is important for the advanced practice nurse to take in order to prevent legal action?

A) Understand the expectations as a provider.
B) Document thoroughly and legibly.
C) Ensure that each client receives adequate time with a provider at each visit.
D) Be aware of new technology and application to the practice setting.

Question 5

Which action do enforcement agencies take to stop fraud and abuse?

A) Routinely assess all advanced practice nurses (APNs) for fraudulent activity.
B) Enforce license suspension for each suspected fraudulent activity.
C) Look for patterns of abuse.
D) Require yearly education on fraud prevention for all APNs.

Question 6

Which action should the advanced practice nurse (APN) take to ensure that clients are billed appropriately?

A) Request an audit to ensure that billing is correct.
B) Bill partially for each client interaction.
C) Become certified as a billing specialist.
D) Hire a billing specialist.

Question 7

When billing under "incident to," what action should the advanced practice nurse (APN) take?

A) Ensure that the physician is available to the APN.
B) Work as an independent contractor.
C) Bill the client for the highest level of services.
D) Ensure that the client is seen intermittently by another APN.

Question 8

What should the advanced practice nurse (APN) keep in mind when billing services as "incident to"?

A) Billing shows that services were provided by the APN.
B) Billing shows that services were provided by the physician.
C) Billing shows that services were provided by the health system or clinic.
D) Billing shows that services were provided by both the APN and physician.

Question 9

What action can the advanced practice nurse (APN) take to influence nursing practice?

A) Ensure that policies are followed to avoid disciplinary action.
B) Support the purchase of malpractice insurance.
C) Advocate for policies that expand access to health care.
D) Become self-sufficient as an independent contractor.

Question 10

What action should the advanced practice nurse (APN) take before choosing to bill as "incident to" or directly for services provided?

A) Learn the rate at which services are reimbursed.
B) Hire a billing specialist to handle office billing concerns.
C) Understand licensure restrictions.
D) Determine what services can be billed for.