A nurse failed to monitor a patient's respiratory status after medicating the patient with a narcotic analgesic. The patient's respiratory status worsened?. The patient's family claimed the nurse committed malpractice. What must be present for the nurse to be held liable?
- A. A nurse-patient relationship exists.
- B. The nurse failed to perform in a reasonable manner.
- C. There was harm to the patient.
- D. The nurse was prudent in her performance.
- E. The nurse did not cause the patient harm.
- F. Duty does not exist.
Correct Answer: A,B,C
Rationale: For the court to uphold the charge of malpractice, and to find the nurse liable, the following elements must be present: duty exists, there is a breach of duty, and harm must have occurred.
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Personal beliefs about the worth of an object idea custom or attitude that influence a person's behavior in a given situation are referred to as
Correct Answer: values
Rationale: Values are personal beliefs about the worth of an object, an idea, a custom, or an attitude. Values vary among people and cultures; they develop over time and undergo change in response to changing circumstances and necessity. Each of us adopts a value system that will govern what we feel is right or wrong (or good and bad) and will influence our behavior in a given situation.
A nurse working on an acute care medical surgical unit is aware that his or her first duty is to the patient's health safety and well-being. Given this knowledge which of the following is most necessary for the nurse to report?
- A. Unethical behavior of other staff members.
- B. A worker who arrives late
- C. Favoritism shown by nursing administration
- D. Arguments among the staff
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A member of the nursing profession must report behavior that does not meet established standards. Unethical behavior involves failing to perform the duties of a competent caring nurse.
During a lunch break an emergency department (ED) nurse truthfully tells another nurse about the condition of a patient who came to the ED last night. What is the ED nurse guilty of?
- A. HIPAA violation
- B. Slander
- C. Libel
- D. Invasion of privacy
- E. Defamation
Correct Answer: A,D
Rationale: The disclosure is an invasion of privacy and a violation of HIPAA. Because the information is true and verbal, it cannot be considered slander or libel.
The nurse is preparing the patient for a thoracentesis. What must be completed before the procedure may be performed?
- A. Physical assessment
- B. Interview
- C. Informed consent
- D. Surgical checklist
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The doctrine of informed consent refers to full disclosure of the facts the patient needs to make an intelligent (informed) decision before any invasive treatment or procedure is performed. A physical assessment, interview, and surgical checklist are not required before this procedure.
When a nurse becomes involved in a legal action the first step to occur is that a document is filed in an appropriate court. What is this document called?
- A. Deposition
- B. Appeal
- C. Complaint
- D. Summons
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A document called a complaint is filed in an appropriate court as the first step in litigation. A deposition is when witnesses are required to undergo questioning by the attorneys. An appeal is a request for a review of a decision by a higher court. A summons is a court order that notifies the defendant of the legal action.
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