NUR 256 FINAL EXAM: (Latest 2026/2027 Update) Legal, Ethical,
Quality Improvement, CAM & Professional Nursing | Q&A | Grade
A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers)
Complete Review: Statutory Law, Nurse Practice Act, Ethics, Patient Safety, QSEN, Sentinel Events, CAM Therapies & Board
of Nursing
SUBJECT SOURCE FORMAT
Professional Nursing / NUR 256 Galen Final Exam Study Guide Q&A Guide with Rationale
2026/2027
Q1
What type of law creates a nurse practice act?
CORRECT ANSWER
Statutory law (written and enacted by legislative bodies)
RATIONALE
• Nurse Practice Acts are state statutes that define scope of nursing practice.
• Violations of statutory law are criminal offenses punishable by fines or imprisonment.
• Each nurse must own a copy of their state's Nurse Practice Act.
Q2
The state board of nursing has authority to:
CORRECT ANSWER
License nurses, discipline violators of Nurse Practice Act, and accredit schools of nursing
RATIONALE
• Three major functions: license qualified applicants, discipline violators, monitor nursing schools.
• Indiana RN license renews on 10/31 of odd years.
• Board also reviews NCLEX pass rates and can revoke accreditation.
, Q3
A professional's negligent conduct is called:
CORRECT ANSWER
Malpractice (failure of a professional to act in a reasonable and prudent manner)
RATIONALE
• Negligence is failure to act as a reasonable person; malpractice is professional negligence.
• Elements: duty, breach, cause in fact, proximate cause, damages.
• Gross negligence reflects conscious disregard for patient welfare (punitive damages).
Q4
Which situation fails to meet criteria for establishing nursing malpractice?
CORRECT ANSWER
The nurse fails repeatedly to document a client's response to pain medication (failure to document alone
without injury may not meet all elements)
RATIONALE
• Malpractice requires duty, breach, causation, and damages (injury).
• Documentation failure alone may be a practice issue but not automatically malpractice.
• Actual harm to patient must be proved.
Q5
What limits a nurse's liability for rendering emergency assistance outside the employment setting?
CORRECT ANSWER
Good Samaritan immunity
RATIONALE
• Protects nurses from malpractice claims when providing emergency care voluntarily.
• Does not protect against gross negligence or willful misconduct.
• Applies only outside employment setting and without expectation of compensation.
Quality Improvement, CAM & Professional Nursing | Q&A | Grade
A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers)
Complete Review: Statutory Law, Nurse Practice Act, Ethics, Patient Safety, QSEN, Sentinel Events, CAM Therapies & Board
of Nursing
SUBJECT SOURCE FORMAT
Professional Nursing / NUR 256 Galen Final Exam Study Guide Q&A Guide with Rationale
2026/2027
Q1
What type of law creates a nurse practice act?
CORRECT ANSWER
Statutory law (written and enacted by legislative bodies)
RATIONALE
• Nurse Practice Acts are state statutes that define scope of nursing practice.
• Violations of statutory law are criminal offenses punishable by fines or imprisonment.
• Each nurse must own a copy of their state's Nurse Practice Act.
Q2
The state board of nursing has authority to:
CORRECT ANSWER
License nurses, discipline violators of Nurse Practice Act, and accredit schools of nursing
RATIONALE
• Three major functions: license qualified applicants, discipline violators, monitor nursing schools.
• Indiana RN license renews on 10/31 of odd years.
• Board also reviews NCLEX pass rates and can revoke accreditation.
, Q3
A professional's negligent conduct is called:
CORRECT ANSWER
Malpractice (failure of a professional to act in a reasonable and prudent manner)
RATIONALE
• Negligence is failure to act as a reasonable person; malpractice is professional negligence.
• Elements: duty, breach, cause in fact, proximate cause, damages.
• Gross negligence reflects conscious disregard for patient welfare (punitive damages).
Q4
Which situation fails to meet criteria for establishing nursing malpractice?
CORRECT ANSWER
The nurse fails repeatedly to document a client's response to pain medication (failure to document alone
without injury may not meet all elements)
RATIONALE
• Malpractice requires duty, breach, causation, and damages (injury).
• Documentation failure alone may be a practice issue but not automatically malpractice.
• Actual harm to patient must be proved.
Q5
What limits a nurse's liability for rendering emergency assistance outside the employment setting?
CORRECT ANSWER
Good Samaritan immunity
RATIONALE
• Protects nurses from malpractice claims when providing emergency care voluntarily.
• Does not protect against gross negligence or willful misconduct.
• Applies only outside employment setting and without expectation of compensation.
