PrepU chapter 7: Legal Dimensions of Nursing
Practice UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
An RN enters a client's room and observes the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) forcefully pushing a client down on
the bed. The client starts crying and informs the UAP of the need to go to the bathroom. What action is the RN witnessing
that should be immediately reported to the supervisor? - CORRECT ANSWER battery.
A physician is called to see a client with angina. During the visit the physician advises the nurse to decrease the atenolol
to 12.5 mg. However, since the physician is late for another visit, she requests that the nurse write down the order for her.
What should be the appropriate nursing action in this situation? - CORRECT ANSWER The nurse should ask the
physician to come back and write the order.
A client is unhappy with the health care provided to him. He approaches the nurse and informs her that he is leaving the
facility. The client has not been discharged by the physician. The nurse finds that the client has dressed and is ready to go.
What would the nurse's action be in this situation? - CORRECT ANSWER The nurse should call the nursing
supervisor and inform her about the situation.
A legal document that states a client's health-related wishes — such as a preference for pain management if the client
becomes terminally ill — and also allows the client's daughter to direct his care, is a(an): - CORRECT
ANSWER advance directive.
The student nurse tells her family about a client with AIDS that she cared for in clinical yesterday. Which tort has the
student committed? - CORRECT ANSWER Invasion of privacy
Nurses are occasionally asked to witness a testator's (person who makes the will) signing of his or her will. Which of the
following guidelines is true regarding a nurse's role is witnessing a testator's signature? - CORRECT
ANSWER Witnesses to a signature do not need to read the will.
An HIV-positive client discovers that his name is published in a research report on HIV care prepared by his nurse. He is
hurt and files a lawsuit against her. Which offense has the nurse committed? - CORRECT ANSWER Invasion of
privacy
A nurse is caring for a client who has undergone coronary angioplasty. The cardiac monitor is showing abnormal ECG
waves, indicating arterial fibrillation. The nurse does not recognize the importance of the sign; as a result, the client's
condition deteriorates and the client has to be taken up for an emergency procedure. Which of the following describes the
nurse's legal liability? - CORRECT ANSWER Tort
The nurse attempts to notify a health care provider about a client's elevated temperature, but does not get a response.
Which statement, if documented by the nurse, would indicate that the nurse is following proper protocol for nursing
documentation? - CORRECT ANSWER 1300: Client temperature elevated. Telephoned health care provider's
service 3 times without a response. Tepid sponge bath given and nursing supervisor notified.
Nurses complete incident reports as dictated by the agency protocol. What is the primary reason nurses fill out an incident
report? - CORRECT ANSWER to improve quality of care
While riding in the elevator, a nurse discusses the HIV-positive status of a client with other colleagues. The nurse's action
reflects: - CORRECT ANSWER invasion of privacy.
When the nurse informs a client's employer of his autoimmune deficiency disease, the nurse is committing the tort of: -
CORRECT ANSWER Invasion of privacy
A nurse, while off-duty, tells the physiotherapist that a client who was admitted to the nursing unit contracted AIDS due
to exposure to sex workers at the age of 18. The client discovers that the nurse has revealed the information to the
physiotherapist. With what legal action could the nurse be charged? - CORRECT ANSWER Slander
, The nurse educator provides an educational session to the nursing staff on protection of a client's privacy. Which
circumstances, identified by the staff, would indicate to the educator that the teaching was effective? Select all that apply.
- CORRECT ANSWER With the client's permission, the nurse explained the client's diagnosis to the client's
spouse.
The nurse removed the client from the emergency department waiting room into a private area to collect assessment data.
When making client rounds, the charge nurse observes which action by a staff nurse that would constitute battery? -
CORRECT ANSWER The elderly client refuses the intramuscular injection, but the staff nurse administered it.
A client is in a persistent vegetative state. The client has no immediate family and is a ward of the state. Under these
circumstances, who will speak on this client's behalf? - CORRECT ANSWER Surrogate decision maker
A medical surgical client is in the radiology department. The client's cousin arrives on the medical surgical unit and asks
to speak with the nurse caring for his cousin. The visitor asks the nurse to provide a brief outline of the client's illness.
Which response, if given by the nurse, would demonstrate application of legal safeguard in her practice? - CORRECT
ANSWER "I cannot give you that information due to client confidentiality."
The health care facility is involved in litigation by four clients. When reviewing the cases, which legal case would the
nurse attorney identify to best describe malpractice? - CORRECT ANSWER The nurse administers amoxicillin
(Amicar) to a client with known allergies to penicillin. The client has a seizure with resulting respiratory arrest.
A new graduate wants to be knowledgable about state-mandated rules to better practice within the scope of nursing. What
are the best resources for this nurse to research? (Select all that apply.) - CORRECT ANSWER Nurse practice acts
Nursing educational requirements
Composition and disciplinary authority of board of nursing
A nurse observes another nurse place an unused dose of narcotics in their pocket. If caught, the nurse could be charged
with which type of crime? - CORRECT ANSWER felony
A registered nurse has had her license suspended after being convicted of being impaired at work. What governing body
has the authority to revoke or suspend a nurse's license? - CORRECT ANSWER The State Board of Nurse
Examiners
Which of the following is an example of certification? - CORRECT ANSWER A nurse who demonstrates
advanced expertise in a content area of nursing through special testing.
A student is preparing to graduate from nursing school and understands that professional regulations and laws that govern
nursing practice are in place. These regulations and laws are in place for which reason? - CORRECT ANSWER to
protect the safety of the public
A nurse is being sued for malpractice in a court of law. What elements must be established to prove that malpractice or
negligence has occurred? Select all that apply. - CORRECT ANSWER Duty
Breach of duty
Causation
A nurse is caring for a client following endotracheal intubation. Before applying soft wrist restraints to prevent the client
from pulling out the endotracheal tube, what is the most appropriate action of the nurse? - CORRECT
ANSWER Obtain a medical order.
A client states that his recent fall was caused by the fact that his scheduled antihypertensive medications were mistakenly
administered by two different nurses, an event that is disputed by both of the nurses identified by the client. Which
measure should the nurses prioritize when anticipating that legal action may follow? - CORRECT
ANSWER Document the client's claims and the events surrounding the alleged incident.
Which situation is an example of battery that the nurse may experience while performing her duties at the health care
facility? - CORRECT ANSWER performing a surgical procedure without getting consent
A client is brought to the emergency department in an unconscious state with a head injury. The client requires surgery to
remove a blood clot. What would be the appropriate nursing intervention in keeping with the policy of informed consent
Practice UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
An RN enters a client's room and observes the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) forcefully pushing a client down on
the bed. The client starts crying and informs the UAP of the need to go to the bathroom. What action is the RN witnessing
that should be immediately reported to the supervisor? - CORRECT ANSWER battery.
A physician is called to see a client with angina. During the visit the physician advises the nurse to decrease the atenolol
to 12.5 mg. However, since the physician is late for another visit, she requests that the nurse write down the order for her.
What should be the appropriate nursing action in this situation? - CORRECT ANSWER The nurse should ask the
physician to come back and write the order.
A client is unhappy with the health care provided to him. He approaches the nurse and informs her that he is leaving the
facility. The client has not been discharged by the physician. The nurse finds that the client has dressed and is ready to go.
What would the nurse's action be in this situation? - CORRECT ANSWER The nurse should call the nursing
supervisor and inform her about the situation.
A legal document that states a client's health-related wishes — such as a preference for pain management if the client
becomes terminally ill — and also allows the client's daughter to direct his care, is a(an): - CORRECT
ANSWER advance directive.
The student nurse tells her family about a client with AIDS that she cared for in clinical yesterday. Which tort has the
student committed? - CORRECT ANSWER Invasion of privacy
Nurses are occasionally asked to witness a testator's (person who makes the will) signing of his or her will. Which of the
following guidelines is true regarding a nurse's role is witnessing a testator's signature? - CORRECT
ANSWER Witnesses to a signature do not need to read the will.
An HIV-positive client discovers that his name is published in a research report on HIV care prepared by his nurse. He is
hurt and files a lawsuit against her. Which offense has the nurse committed? - CORRECT ANSWER Invasion of
privacy
A nurse is caring for a client who has undergone coronary angioplasty. The cardiac monitor is showing abnormal ECG
waves, indicating arterial fibrillation. The nurse does not recognize the importance of the sign; as a result, the client's
condition deteriorates and the client has to be taken up for an emergency procedure. Which of the following describes the
nurse's legal liability? - CORRECT ANSWER Tort
The nurse attempts to notify a health care provider about a client's elevated temperature, but does not get a response.
Which statement, if documented by the nurse, would indicate that the nurse is following proper protocol for nursing
documentation? - CORRECT ANSWER 1300: Client temperature elevated. Telephoned health care provider's
service 3 times without a response. Tepid sponge bath given and nursing supervisor notified.
Nurses complete incident reports as dictated by the agency protocol. What is the primary reason nurses fill out an incident
report? - CORRECT ANSWER to improve quality of care
While riding in the elevator, a nurse discusses the HIV-positive status of a client with other colleagues. The nurse's action
reflects: - CORRECT ANSWER invasion of privacy.
When the nurse informs a client's employer of his autoimmune deficiency disease, the nurse is committing the tort of: -
CORRECT ANSWER Invasion of privacy
A nurse, while off-duty, tells the physiotherapist that a client who was admitted to the nursing unit contracted AIDS due
to exposure to sex workers at the age of 18. The client discovers that the nurse has revealed the information to the
physiotherapist. With what legal action could the nurse be charged? - CORRECT ANSWER Slander
, The nurse educator provides an educational session to the nursing staff on protection of a client's privacy. Which
circumstances, identified by the staff, would indicate to the educator that the teaching was effective? Select all that apply.
- CORRECT ANSWER With the client's permission, the nurse explained the client's diagnosis to the client's
spouse.
The nurse removed the client from the emergency department waiting room into a private area to collect assessment data.
When making client rounds, the charge nurse observes which action by a staff nurse that would constitute battery? -
CORRECT ANSWER The elderly client refuses the intramuscular injection, but the staff nurse administered it.
A client is in a persistent vegetative state. The client has no immediate family and is a ward of the state. Under these
circumstances, who will speak on this client's behalf? - CORRECT ANSWER Surrogate decision maker
A medical surgical client is in the radiology department. The client's cousin arrives on the medical surgical unit and asks
to speak with the nurse caring for his cousin. The visitor asks the nurse to provide a brief outline of the client's illness.
Which response, if given by the nurse, would demonstrate application of legal safeguard in her practice? - CORRECT
ANSWER "I cannot give you that information due to client confidentiality."
The health care facility is involved in litigation by four clients. When reviewing the cases, which legal case would the
nurse attorney identify to best describe malpractice? - CORRECT ANSWER The nurse administers amoxicillin
(Amicar) to a client with known allergies to penicillin. The client has a seizure with resulting respiratory arrest.
A new graduate wants to be knowledgable about state-mandated rules to better practice within the scope of nursing. What
are the best resources for this nurse to research? (Select all that apply.) - CORRECT ANSWER Nurse practice acts
Nursing educational requirements
Composition and disciplinary authority of board of nursing
A nurse observes another nurse place an unused dose of narcotics in their pocket. If caught, the nurse could be charged
with which type of crime? - CORRECT ANSWER felony
A registered nurse has had her license suspended after being convicted of being impaired at work. What governing body
has the authority to revoke or suspend a nurse's license? - CORRECT ANSWER The State Board of Nurse
Examiners
Which of the following is an example of certification? - CORRECT ANSWER A nurse who demonstrates
advanced expertise in a content area of nursing through special testing.
A student is preparing to graduate from nursing school and understands that professional regulations and laws that govern
nursing practice are in place. These regulations and laws are in place for which reason? - CORRECT ANSWER to
protect the safety of the public
A nurse is being sued for malpractice in a court of law. What elements must be established to prove that malpractice or
negligence has occurred? Select all that apply. - CORRECT ANSWER Duty
Breach of duty
Causation
A nurse is caring for a client following endotracheal intubation. Before applying soft wrist restraints to prevent the client
from pulling out the endotracheal tube, what is the most appropriate action of the nurse? - CORRECT
ANSWER Obtain a medical order.
A client states that his recent fall was caused by the fact that his scheduled antihypertensive medications were mistakenly
administered by two different nurses, an event that is disputed by both of the nurses identified by the client. Which
measure should the nurses prioritize when anticipating that legal action may follow? - CORRECT
ANSWER Document the client's claims and the events surrounding the alleged incident.
Which situation is an example of battery that the nurse may experience while performing her duties at the health care
facility? - CORRECT ANSWER performing a surgical procedure without getting consent
A client is brought to the emergency department in an unconscious state with a head injury. The client requires surgery to
remove a blood clot. What would be the appropriate nursing intervention in keeping with the policy of informed consent
