Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Legal and Ethical Issues Related

Review Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Legal and Ethical Issues related questions and content

The LPN has been fired from their job at the nursing home and reported to the state board of nursing for giving medication to a client without a physician's prescription. The LPN states not being aware that this was a violation of scope of practice. What is the LPN's responsibility regarding knowing how to practice within their scope?

  • A. The nurse should call the state board and ask for a list of what LPNs can and cannot do.
  • B. The nurse should access their state nurse practice act to determine the set standard for nurses in that state.
  • C. The nurse should ask an RN what their scope of practice is.
  • D. The nurse should ask another LPN what LPNs can and cannot do.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Nurse practice acts define nursing practice and set standards for nurses in each state. These legal statues regulate the practice of nursing to protect the health and safety of citizens. Although each state has its own nurse practice act, they all share common components. The LPN should have accessed this information directly from the board website or asked for a written nurse practice act from the state of practice. The nurse practice act does not designate what specific tasks the nurse can and cannot perform. The LPN should not ask others who may not have the answers.