Nokea
The nurse is administering a medication to a client for the treatment of constipation. The client expresses preferring not to take the medication today. The nurse respects the client's right and says if the client needs it later, just let the nurse know. What professional value is the nurse displaying?
- A. Beneficence
- B. Nonmaleficence
- C. Autonomy
- D. Fidelity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Autonomy refers to a client's right to self-determination or the freedom to make choices without opposition. Nonmaleficence is the duty to do no harm to the client. If a nurse fails to check a prescription for an unusually high dose of insulin and administers it, the nurse has violated the principle of nonmaleficence. Beneficence is the duty to do good for the clients assigned to the nurse's care. The nurse has a duty to remove wrist restraints whenever possible (removing a harm) and to help the client regain independence (promoting and doing good). Fidelity is the duty to maintain commitments of professional obligations and responsibilities.
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A client has designated a family member as a person to make healthcare decisions for the client if the client is not able to do so. What type of advance directive is this considered?
- A. Power of attorney
- B. Do-not-resuscitate order (DNR)
- C. Living will
- D. Durable power of attorney (DPOA) for healthcare
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A client may designate another person to be the DPOA for healthcare or healthcare proxy. This person has the authority to make healthcare decisions for the client if the client is no longer competent or able to make these decisions. A general power of attorney does not give that designated person the ability to make healthcare decision. In a DNR order, the client wishes to have no resuscitative action taken in the event of a cardiac or respiratory arrest. A living will is a document that states a client's wishes regarding healthcare if the client is terminally ill.
The LPN has the responsibility to take the vital signs for a client who had a surgical procedure earlier that day. The blood pressure results were 78/42 mm Hg from a previous 132/74 mm Hg. The LPN documented the results without reporting them to the RN in charge. The client developed shock and died 3 hours later. What type of unintentional tort may the nurse be sued for?
- A. Defamation
- B. Battery
- C. Assault
- D. Malpractice
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The law defines malpractice as professional negligence. It refers to harm that result from a licensed person's actions or lack of action. A jury must determine if the responsible person's conduct deviated from the standard expected of others with similar education and experience. All other answers are intentional torts.
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.
The LPN was assisting a client with a bath, and some of the bathwater spilled on the floor. The nurse assisted the client back to the bed and left the room, forgetting to clean the spill. The client got out of the bed to use the bedside commode and slipped on the water, leading to a hip fracture. What type of unintentional tort may the client sue the nurse for?
- A. Battery
- B. Negligence
- C. Assault
- D. False imprisonment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Negligence describes the failure to act as a reasonable person would have acted in a similar situation. If harm results from the action, a person may sue that individual for negligence. The nurse was negligent in not cleaning up the spill and caused the client harm. Battery, assault, and false imprisonments are all intentional torts.
The nursing student asks the instructor why it is important for them to know about the law and ethics when they will be taking care of client's physical and psychosocial needs and not be practicing law. What is the best response by the instructor?
- A. You will need to understand these things if you are ever sued.'
- B. This is part of the curriculum, so we have to cover this material.'
- C. You will probably never encounter any difficulty, but it is good to know just in case it happens.'
- D. You will need a basic understanding of laws and ethics because it may affect your practice.'
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The healthcare delivery system affects and is affected by societal beliefs, values, and laws. Nurses today require a basic understanding of laws and ethics that may affect their practice. Issues related to competence, safety, and optimal care; protecting client's rights; and practicing according to professional standards of care are of most concern to nurses. Being sued is not the only issue that a nurse may face in their practice and does not cover the ethical portion of practice. The answer regarding the curriculum does not answer the question and demeans the importance of the topic.