Nokea
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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What role is the nurse who diligently works for the protection of patients' interests playing?
- A. Caregiver
- B. Health care administrator
- C. Advocate
- D. Health care evaluator
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A nurse accepts the role of advocate when, in addition to general care, the nurse protects the patient's interests. Caregiver, health care administrator, and health care evaluator are not terms for the nurse who diligently works for the protection of patients.
The nurse is caring for a patient with a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. Although the nurse may disagree with this order what is his or her legal obligation?
- A. To question the health care provider
- B. To seek advice from the family
- C. To discuss it with the patient
- D. To follow the order
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When a DNR order is written in the chart, the nurse has a duty to follow the order. Questioning the health care provider, seeking advice from the family, and discussing it with the patient are not legal obligations of the nurse.
An older adult is admitted to the hospital with numerous bodily bruises and the nurse suspects elder abuse. What is the best nursing action?
- A. Cover the bruises with bandages.
- B. Take photographs of the bruises.
- C. Ask the patient if anyone has hit her.
- D. Report the bruises to the charge nurse.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The law stipulates that the health care professional is required to report certain information to the appropriate authorities. The report should be given to a supervisor or directly to the police, according to agency policy. When acting in good faith to report mandated information (e.g., certain communicable diseases or gunshot wounds), the health care professional is protected from liability.
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.
A health care provider instructs the nurse to bladder train a patient. The nurse clamps the patient's indwelling urinary catheter but forgets to unclamp it. The patient develops a urinary tract infection. What do the nurse's actions exemplify?
- A. Malpractice
- B. Battery
- C. Assault
- D. Neglect of duty
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A nurse is liable for acts of commission (doing an act) and omission (not doing an act) performed in the course of their professional duty. A charge of malpractice is likely when a duty exists, there is a breach of that duty, and harm has occurred to the patient.