Nokea
Which of the following statements regarding the statute of limitations is correct?
- A. It is applicable only in the case of a minor.
- B. There is no designated time for a person to file a lawsuit.
- C. The designated time is typically calculated from the time the incident occurred.
- D. It provides legal immunity to rescuers who provide first aid in the case of an emergency.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A statute of limitations is the designated time for a person to file a lawsuit. The time is typically calculated from the time the incident occurred. If the injured party is a minor, the statute of limitations sometimes does not commence until the victim reaches adulthood. Good Samaritan law ensures legal immunity for rescuers who provide first aid in the case of an emergency to accident victims.
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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.
Which type of law concerns offenses that violate the public's welfare?
- A. Statutory law
- B. Common law
- C. Administrative law
- D. Criminal law
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Criminal law concerns offenses that violate the public's welfare. Statutory law is law that any local, state, or federal legislative body enacts. Common is based on earlier court decisions, judgment, and decrees. Administrative law means that regulatory agencies enforce the rules and regulations that concern health, welfare, and safety of federal and state citizens.
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.
A client jumped out of a window on the second floor of the hospital and sustained a spinal cord injury that resulted in the inability to have upper and lower extremity sensation. What type of documentation by the nurse would be appropriate in this situation?
- A. The client must have been depressed and wanted to commit suicide.'
- B. I saw the client get ready to jump and was unable to get to them fast enough.'
- C. Client observed standing on the window ledge; asked client to come down and proceeded to enter the room, and client jumped through the glass.'
- D. The previous shift should have notified the physician that the client was suicidal.'
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The documentation in which the nurse describes observing the client on the window ledge, asking the client to come down and entering the room, and the client jumping through the class is objective, accurate, and concise. The other choices were judgmental, subjective, and vague.
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.