Test Bank Chapter 5 Legal Aspects Of Nursing Practice

Chapter 5: Legal Aspects of Nursing Practice

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. The nurse is sharing information received during a patient interview with different health-care providers. In which of these interactions does the nurse breach the patient’s confidentiality?

1. The nurse shares with the patient’s health-care provider that the patient has been drinking four to six beers per day.

2. The nurse documents in the patient’s health-care record that the patient is unable to adequately see an insulin syringe.

3. The nurse discusses the patient’s marital difficulties with nurses from another unit.

4. The nurse calls the social worker because the patient states he is unable to afford the prescribed medication.

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2. The nurse is aware that in which situation is there a potential for a violation of a patient’s right to confidentiality? The patient’s

1. medical record was read by an unauthorized person.

2. conversation with a family member was overheard by someone in the hall.

3. interview with the nurse was shared with the patient’s sister.

4. social security number is copied by an unauthorized person.

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3. On admission, a patient is given a copy of the rights of all patients and that health-care facility’s policy and procedures to protect these rights. When asked by the patient the reason for this paperwork, the nurse replies that it is required by what governmental legislation?

1. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

2. Good Samaritan Law

3. Safe Medical Devices Act

4. Patient Self-Determination Act

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4. A nurse in the emergency department treated a 6-week-old infant who had sustained fractures of the right femur and right humerus, and the nurse files a report with the state agency that oversees possible child abuse cases. After 6 months it was determined the infant had a congenital condition that caused the fractures. Today the nurse received word that a lawsuit had been filed against the nurse. This nurse recognizes that protection from this lawsuit is available because of what legislation?

1. Good Samaritan Law

2. State disclosure statute

3. State employment laws

4. State Nurse Practice Act

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5. A nurse makes an entry on social media concerning a patient situation that occurred during a recent shift at an acute care facility. The patient was notified by an acquaintance who recognized the patient from the description in the entry. Did the nurse who posted the entry commit malpractice?

1. No, because the nurse did not foresee that this would bring harm to the patient.

2. Yes, because the nurse had a duty to the patient and breached that duty through the posted entry.

3. No, because not all five elements of malpractice were present.

4. Yes, because all five elements of malpractice are present.

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6. The nurse is responsible for administering medications to a patient with hypertension. The health-care provider decreased the patient’s dose of antihypertension medication at 7 p.m. The next morning, the nurse administered the original dose of antihypertension medication to the patient. The nurse notes the error immediately upon documentation and notifies the health-care provider. The nurse checks the patient’s blood pressure frequently, and no significant drop in blood pressure is noted. What essential element of malpractice is lacking in this medication error?

1. Breach of duty owed the patient

2. Foreseeability of harm

3. Duty owed the patient

4. Injury or harm

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7. The nurse is caring for a patient who suffered a broken hip after attempting to go to the bathroom. The nurse had assigned a nursing assistant to assist this patient to the bathroom. It is determined that the nurse is not guilty of malpractice. Which element was not present for malpractice to be charged? The

1. injury was not very severe.

2. nursing assistant had assisted many patients to the bathroom.

3. nurse was not aware that a fall could cause an injury.

4. nurse did not have a duty to the patient because the nursing assistant was responsible.

ANS:

8. The charge nurse on a rehabilitation unit is discussing a patient with a physical therapist. Which information should the nurse share with the physical therapist?

1. Explain that it is a breach of privacy and confidentiality to disclose patient information.

2. Require the physical therapist to get permission from the patient before disclosing patient information.

3. Discuss all information about the patient shared with the nurse during admission.

4. Provide the physical therapist with necessary information required for continuity of care.

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MULTIPLE RESPONSE

9. A nurse leader is responsible for discipline and at times must notify the state board of nursing if the situation that involves the nurse is serious enough. For which situation would the nurse leader most likely notify the state board of nursing? Select all that apply.

1. The nurse made a medication error and notified the health-care provider and stayed with the patient until the medication had passed through the patient’s system.

2. The nurse took money from the drawer next to the patient’s bed while the patient slept.

3. The nurse was convicted of driving 20 miles over the speed limit and not wearing a seat belt.

4. The nurse was convicted of driving while under the influence on the way home from work.

5. The nurse wrote vital signs in a patient’s chart without taking vital signs.

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10. A nurse educator is discussing the classifications of law that relate to nursing practice with a group of students. When discussing criminal law, what examples of felonies should be included? Select all that apply.

1. HIPAA violations

2. Failing to report child abuse

3. Using the title of “Registered Nurse” without a license

4. Diverting controlled substance

5. Attempting to use a suspended nursing license

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