Nokea
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.
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Which of the following is a true statement about a living will?
- A. It states the client's wishes regarding healthcare if terminally ill.
- B. It specifies information regarding nontreatment only.
- C. It is legal consent.
- D. It is a type of financial agreement.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A living will states the client's wishes regarding healthcare if terminally ill. It does not specify information regarding nontreatment only, it is not a legal consent, and it is not a type of financial agreement.
The nurse is assigned to care for a client who is admitted to the medical unit with an infection after having an abortion. The nurse is uncomfortable caring for this client because the religious beliefs of the nurse are very firm on the issue of abortion. What first step can the nurse make in order to solve the ethical dilemma?
- A. Evaluate the decision in terms of effects and results.
- B. Make the decision and follow through on it.
- C. List all possible options for solving the dilemma.
- D. Obtain as much information as possible to understand the situation.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The first step in the ethical dilemma decision-making process is to obtain as much information as possible to understand the situation. Evaluating the decision in terms of effects and results is the fifth step in the process. Making the decision and following through is the fourth step of the process, and listing all possible options is the second step in the process.
Which of the following is a true statement with regard to laws?
- A. They deal with right and wrong.
- B. They are written rules for conduct and actions.
- C. They consider beliefs about morals and values.
- D. They do not have a formal enforcement system.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Laws are written rules for conduct and actions. Ethical standards dictate the rightness or wrongness of human behavior. Ethics are moral principles and values. Laws do have a formal enforcement system.
Which of the following is a component of the nurse practice acts of various states?
- A. Breaches of duty owed by one person to another
- B. Determining the grounds for disciplinary action
- C. Expected action based on moral or legal obligations
- D. Injury due to the failure to act
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nurse practice acts define nursing practice and set standards for nurses in each state. Each state has its own nurse practice act, but one of the common components is the grounds for disciplinary action. Tort law is the body of law that governs breaches of duty owed by one person to another. A duty is an expected action that is based on moral or legal obligations. A tort is an injury that occurred because of another person's intentional or unintentional actions or failure to act.
The nurse overhears the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) tell an older adult client loudly, 'If you don't get in that bed, I will throw you in there and tie you down so that you don't get up again!' What type of intentional tort does the nurse understand that the UAP has committed?
- A. Assault
- B. Battery
- C. False imprisonment
- D. Invasion of privacy
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Assault is an act that involves a threat or attempt to do bodily harm. Types of assault include physical intimidation, verbal remarks, or gestures that lead the client to believe that force or injury may be forthcoming. Battery is actual physical contact with another person without that person's consent. False imprisonment occurs when healthcare workers physically or chemically restrain an individual from leaving a healthcare institution.