Nokea
A nurse is providing care for an older adult client who has been admitted to the hospital with liver cirrhosis. The client has expressed to the nurse his concerns that the details of his condition and treatment remain confidential, and that written documentation not 'get out there.' How can the nurse best respond to the client's concerns?
- A. Anything that is discussed between us is confidential and will not be shared with anyone else.
- B. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ensures that your medical records will not leave this hospital.
- C. Provided you signed a directive on admission, your records will not be made public.
- D. The law protects your right to confidentiality and protects your health information from being released into unintended hands.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law that protects individuals' right to confidentiality and safeguards health information from being accessed by unauthorized individuals. Assuring the client that the law protects their right to confidentiality and prevents their health information from being released into unintended hands is the best response. Choice A is too broad and may not cover all aspects of confidentiality. Choice B only mentions medical records staying within the hospital, which does not address the client's concern about written documentation. Choice C incorrectly implies that a signed directive is needed for confidentiality, which is not true under HIPAA regulations.
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An investigation into reports of substandard care on the subacute geriatric unit of a hospital has been undertaken. Which of the following events is representative of malpractice on the part of the nursing staff?
- A. A client with a documented history of seizures was left with his bed raised and with bedrails not in place, resulting in a fall and head injury
- B. A client was sent for a colonoscopy, after which it was learned that the client had never given written consent for the procedure
- C. A client with a diagnosis of vascular dementia was found wandering in the hall outside the unit
- D. An immobile client was not turned over the course of a night shift and developed a pressure ulcer on her coccyx
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Answer A is correct as it includes all the components of malpractice: duty, negligence, and injury. The nursing staff failed in their duty by leaving a client with a documented history of seizures unattended with bedrails not in place, resulting in a fall and head injury. Answer B involves an issue related to consent, which is the responsibility of the physician, not the nursing staff. Answer C does not demonstrate negligence or harm caused by the nursing staff. Answer D also shows negligence by failing to turn an immobile client, leading to a pressure ulcer, but it lacks a direct connection to the duty of the nursing staff in preventing harm.
What is a standard of care?
- A. A relationship in which a nurse has assumed responsibility for the care of a patient
- B. A policy or procedure established by a health care agency or professional association
- C. The norm for what a reasonable individual would do in a similar circumstance
- D. A public law that, if violated, can result in liability for the nurse
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A standard of care is the level of care that a reasonably prudent person with similar training and experience would provide in a similar circumstance. Choice A is incorrect because it describes the nurse-patient relationship. Choice B is incorrect as it refers to specific policies or procedures. Choice D is incorrect as it describes a law rather than the expected level of care.
During a home visit, a nurse notes that an 80-year-old female patient's blood pressure is 166/99 despite the recent introduction of a diuretic to her medication regimen. The patient admits that her son refuses to give her the diuretic because it has precipitated incontinence episodes and states, 'He gets so furious when I soil myself.' What action should the nurse prioritize in this potential case of elder abuse?
- A. Improving or salvaging the family dynamics
- B. Teaching the son why his actions are inappropriate
- C. Initiating legal action
- D. Taking measures to protect the patient's safety
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In this potential case of elder abuse, the nurse's priority should be taking measures to protect the patient's safety. The patient's health and well-being are at risk due to the son's refusal to administer the diuretic, which can lead to serious health complications. While improving family dynamics (choice A), educating the son (choice B), and legal actions (choice C) may be necessary in the long run, the immediate concern is ensuring the patient's safety and well-being.
Why might nurses not be the best choice to obtain informed consent from patients?
- A. Nurses may be tempted to influence the patient's decision in subtle ways.
- B. Nurses may not be able to answer some of the medical questions the patient asks.
- C. A signature obtained by anyone other than a physician will not stand up in court.
- D. Under the law, nurses are only allowed to act as witnesses to informed consent signatures.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nurses may not have the medical expertise to answer all the questions that patients may have regarding their treatment, which is a crucial aspect of obtaining informed consent. While nurses should not influence a patient's decision, it is not a major reason why they should not obtain informed consent. Signatures obtained by nurses are legally binding, and although nurses often act as witnesses, there is no legal restriction preventing them from obtaining informed consent itself.
During a busy shift, a registered nurse directed an unlicensed care provider to change the dressing and perform wound care on an older adult client's surgical incision, an act that exists outside of the unlicensed care provider's scope of practice. Which of the following statements best captures the legal context of this event?
- A. The unlicensed care provider is solely responsible for the inappropriate practice.
- B. The nurse can be held liable for the actions of the unlicensed care provider.
- C. Liability rests with the nurse manager of the unit.
- D. In the absence of documented harm to the client, the action is legally permissible.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Under the doctrine of respondent superior, nurses can be held liable for the actions of individuals under their supervision. In this scenario, the registered nurse directed the unlicensed care provider to perform a task outside their scope of practice, making the nurse accountable for the consequences. Choice A is incorrect because the responsibility is shared between the nurse and the unlicensed care provider. Choice C is incorrect as the nurse manager may not be directly responsible for the actions of the registered nurse. Choice D is incorrect because legality is not determined solely by the absence of harm; acting within one's legal scope of practice is essential to ensure patient safety.