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Which of the following scenarios are considered violations of HIPAA laws?
- A. Discussing discharge plans with a client in a multi-bed recovery room with the curtain drawn around the client's bed.
- B. Looking up the medical information of a friend without permission.
- C. Checking on your spouse's medical record because you are listed as her power of attorney.
- D. Avoiding conversations about clients while in line in the cafeteria with a mutual caregiver of that client.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Scenarios B and C are considered violations of HIPAA laws. Looking up the medical information of a friend who is not in your care, even with permission, is a violation of HIPAA as the friend is not your patient. Checking on your spouse's medical record, even as a power of attorney, is a violation unless it is directly related to caregiving decisions.
Discussing discharge plans with a client in a multi-bed recovery room with the curtain drawn around the client's bed is not a violation of HIPAA. This scenario is considered an 'incidental disclosure' and is not a breach of HIPAA privacy rules. Avoiding conversations about clients while in line in the cafeteria with a mutual caregiver of that client is actually a good practice as it maintains client confidentiality.
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A nursing student is assigned to care for a client who requires a total bed bath. When the student explains to the client that she is going to gather supplies to administer the bath, the client states, 'I don't want a bath. I've been up all night, and I'm clean enough.' The student reports the client's refusal to the nurse. Which action by the nurse is appropriate?
- A. Telling the nursing student to persuade the client to have a bath so that the evening shift staff will not have to do it
- B. Telling the nursing student to allow the client to rest
- C. Telling the client that the refusal of care will be informed to the health care provider
- D. Telling the nursing student to give the client the bath anyway
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The client has the right to refuse a treatment or procedure, and if the client does refuse, the nurse must respect the client's decision. Therefore, the nurse would allow the client to rest. Persuading the client to have a bath and giving the bath anyway are both inappropriate as they violate the client's rights. Informing the health care provider of the refusal of care can be discussed with the client if needed, but the immediate action should be to respect the client's wishes and allow them to rest.
A client with leukemia is being considered for a bone marrow transplant. The healthcare team is discussing the risks and benefits of this treatment and other possible treatments with the goal of inflicting the least possible harm on the client. Which principle of healthcare ethics is the team practicing?
- A. Fidelity
- B. Nonmaleficence
- C. Autonomy
- D. Justice
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Nonmaleficence. Nonmaleficence is the principle of avoiding harm. In healthcare ethics, practitioners aim not only to do good but also to ensure they do no harm. In this scenario, the healthcare team is discussing treatment options with the intention of inflicting the least harm on the client. Choice A, Fidelity, refers to keeping promises made to clients, families, and healthcare professionals. Choice C, Autonomy, pertains to respecting a person's independence and right to make decisions. Choice D, Justice, involves fairness, equity, and the fair allocation of resources, such as healthcare services.
The nurse is caring for a client recovering from a stroke who recently regained consciousness. The client is having difficulty communicating verbally with the team. Which of the following actions would be least appropriate?
- A. Begin client data collection before receiving the physician's order for the referral.
- B. Use documents to provide information for the referral.
- C. Wait for the physician's order for speech therapy before assisting with the appropriate documentation.
- D. Participate in the client referral process.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In this scenario, the least appropriate action would be to wait for the physician's order for speech therapy before assisting with the appropriate documentation. The nurse should start by collecting client data without needing the physician's order, use documents to provide information for the referral, and actively participate in the client referral process. Waiting for the physician's order unnecessarily delays potentially crucial therapy for the client's recovery, affecting the timeliness and effectiveness of care. Therefore, choice C is the least appropriate as immediate action is required in such situations.
The client is unsure about making medical decisions as their disease progresses and wants to appoint someone to make these decisions. Which of the following options would be most appropriate?
- A. a living will
- B. informed consent
- C. a healthcare proxy
- D. non-informed consent
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is 'a healthcare proxy.' A healthcare proxy involves the client appointing an individual to make medical decisions on their behalf if they become unable to do so. This option allows the client to choose someone they trust to act in their best interests.
Choice A, 'a living will,' is a legal document that outlines a person's wishes regarding medical treatment in case they are unable to communicate their decisions. While it is important, it does not involve appointing someone to make decisions.
Choice B, 'informed consent,' is a process where a healthcare provider explains a treatment or procedure, including its risks and benefits, to a patient who can then decide whether to proceed. This is not about appointing someone to make decisions on the patient's behalf.
Choice D, 'non-informed consent,' is not a valid concept in healthcare. Informed consent is crucial for respecting a patient's autonomy and decision-making capacity.
While assisting a healthcare provider in assessing a hospitalized client, the healthcare provider is paged to report to the recovery room. The healthcare provider instructs the nurse verbally to change the solution and rate of the intravenous (IV) fluid being administered. What is the most appropriate nursing action in this situation?
- A. Calling the nursing supervisor to obtain permission to accept the verbal prescription
- B. Asking the healthcare provider to write the prescription in the client's record before leaving the nursing unit
- C. Telling the healthcare provider that the prescription will not be implemented until it is documented in the client's record
- D. Changing the solution and rate of the IV fluid per the healthcare provider's verbal prescription
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Verbal prescriptions should be avoided due to the risk of errors. If a verbal prescription is necessary, it should be promptly written and signed by the healthcare provider, typically within 24 hours. Following agency policies and procedures regarding verbal prescriptions is crucial. In this scenario, the most appropriate nursing action is to request the healthcare provider to document the prescription in the client's record before leaving the unit. Calling the nursing supervisor to accept the verbal prescription without documentation, telling the healthcare provider to delay treatment until documented, and directly changing the IV fluid based on verbal orders all pose risks and do not align with best practices in medication administration.