2 O & WA L • 2 # M A X E
Nursing Fundamentals
NURS School of Nursing — Exam #2 Review
L E G A L · E T H I C A L · O X Y G E N AT I O N · C A R E CO O R D I N AT I O N
EXAM 2
Fundamentals of Nursing — Exam #2
L E G A L & E T H I C A L P R I N C I P L E S , OX YG E N AT I O N , V E N T I L AT I O N & C A R E CO O R D I N AT I O N
INSTITUTION School of Nursing COURSE CODE NURS-FUND-EXAM2
PROGRAM Nursing — ADN / BSN Pathway ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE Fundamentals of Nursing Exam #2 TOTAL QUESTIONS 55+ Comprehensive Questions
COURSE TITLE Nursing Fundamentals FORMAT Multiple Choice / True-False / Definition
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise indicated.
▸ Questions cover legal concepts (malpractice, tort law, informed consent, advance directives), ethical principles, oxygenation
(devices, FiO₂, safety), ventilation/perfusion physiology, and care coordination.
▸ Verified answers with detailed rationales are provided for comprehensive exam preparation.
▸ Pay close attention to the four components of malpractice, oxygen delivery device FiO₂ ranges, and the distinction between
competence and capacity.
LEGAL PRINCIPLES, ETHICS, OXYGENATION & VENTILATION Questions 1 – 55+
1. What are the four components required to prove malpractice (negligence) in nursing?
A. Documentation, communication, assessment, intervention.
B. Duty of care, Breach of duty, Causation, Harm (damages).
C. Autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice.
D. Assessment, diagnosis, planning, evaluation.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Duty of care, Breach of duty, Causation, Harm (damages)
RATIONALE All four elements must be proven for a successful malpractice claim: (1) Duty of care — the nurse had a formal,
established relationship with the patient, creating a legal obligation to provide care meeting professional
standards. (2) Breach of duty — the nurse failed to meet the standard of care (what a reasonably prudent
nurse with similar education and experience would do in the same situation). (3) Causation — the breach of
duty directly caused or substantially contributed to the adverse outcome (not merely coincidental). (4) Harm
(damages) — the patient suffered actual injury: physical, mental, emotional, or financial harm. If any element
is missing, malpractice cannot be established. Nurses protect themselves by: practicing within their scope,
following policies/procedures, documenting thoroughly, and maintaining competency through continuing
education.
, 2. What is the difference between competence and capacity in healthcare decision-making?
A. They are identical terms.
B. Competence is a legal determination made by a judge; capacity is a clinical assessment by a healthcare professional
of the patient's ability to understand information and make reasoned decisions.
C. Capacity is legal; competence is clinical.
D. Both are determined by the nurse at the bedside.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Competence: legal determination by judge. Capacity: clinical assessment by healthcare
professional
RATIONALE Competence and capacity are related but distinct concepts: Competence is a LEGAL determination — a judge
rules that a person cannot make legally binding decisions; it is a formal court finding that applies broadly
(e.g., appointing a guardian). Capacity is a CLINICAL assessment — a healthcare professional (often the
attending physician, sometimes with psychiatric consultation) evaluates whether the patient, at this specific
time, has the cognitive ability to: understand relevant information, appreciate the situation and its
consequences, reason about treatment options, and communicate a choice. Capacity is decision-specific and
can fluctuate (a patient may have capacity to make some decisions but not others; capacity may vary with
delirium, medication effects, time of day). Nurses contribute to capacity assessment by observing and
documenting the patient's cognitive status, understanding, and consistency in decision-making.
3. What is informed consent and what are its essential elements?
A. A signed form that protects the hospital.
B. A process where healthcare providers must explain the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives in understandable
language; the patient must have capacity, understand the information, and voluntarily agree without coercion.
C. Any consent given by a patient.
D. Consent obtained by the nurse after explaining the procedure.
CORRECT ANSWER B — A process: provider explains procedure/risks/benefits/alternatives; patient must have capacity,
understand, and voluntarily agree
RATIONALE Informed consent is a PROCESS, not merely a signed form. Essential elements: (1) The provider performing
the procedure must explain: the nature of the procedure, expected benefits, material risks and complications,
reasonable alternatives (including no treatment), and prognosis if untreated. (2) The patient must have
capacity to make the decision. (3) The information must be provided in language the patient understands
(use interpreter if needed, not family). (4) Consent must be voluntary — free from coercion or undue
influence. (5) The patient must demonstrate understanding (teach-back). The nurse's role: witness the
signature, verify the patient understands (if patient expresses confusion, notify provider — do NOT proceed),
and ensure consent is obtained BEFORE any sedating medications. The provider performing the procedure is
responsible for obtaining consent — this cannot be delegated to the nurse.
Nursing Fundamentals
NURS School of Nursing — Exam #2 Review
L E G A L · E T H I C A L · O X Y G E N AT I O N · C A R E CO O R D I N AT I O N
EXAM 2
Fundamentals of Nursing — Exam #2
L E G A L & E T H I C A L P R I N C I P L E S , OX YG E N AT I O N , V E N T I L AT I O N & C A R E CO O R D I N AT I O N
INSTITUTION School of Nursing COURSE CODE NURS-FUND-EXAM2
PROGRAM Nursing — ADN / BSN Pathway ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE Fundamentals of Nursing Exam #2 TOTAL QUESTIONS 55+ Comprehensive Questions
COURSE TITLE Nursing Fundamentals FORMAT Multiple Choice / True-False / Definition
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise indicated.
▸ Questions cover legal concepts (malpractice, tort law, informed consent, advance directives), ethical principles, oxygenation
(devices, FiO₂, safety), ventilation/perfusion physiology, and care coordination.
▸ Verified answers with detailed rationales are provided for comprehensive exam preparation.
▸ Pay close attention to the four components of malpractice, oxygen delivery device FiO₂ ranges, and the distinction between
competence and capacity.
LEGAL PRINCIPLES, ETHICS, OXYGENATION & VENTILATION Questions 1 – 55+
1. What are the four components required to prove malpractice (negligence) in nursing?
A. Documentation, communication, assessment, intervention.
B. Duty of care, Breach of duty, Causation, Harm (damages).
C. Autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice.
D. Assessment, diagnosis, planning, evaluation.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Duty of care, Breach of duty, Causation, Harm (damages)
RATIONALE All four elements must be proven for a successful malpractice claim: (1) Duty of care — the nurse had a formal,
established relationship with the patient, creating a legal obligation to provide care meeting professional
standards. (2) Breach of duty — the nurse failed to meet the standard of care (what a reasonably prudent
nurse with similar education and experience would do in the same situation). (3) Causation — the breach of
duty directly caused or substantially contributed to the adverse outcome (not merely coincidental). (4) Harm
(damages) — the patient suffered actual injury: physical, mental, emotional, or financial harm. If any element
is missing, malpractice cannot be established. Nurses protect themselves by: practicing within their scope,
following policies/procedures, documenting thoroughly, and maintaining competency through continuing
education.
, 2. What is the difference between competence and capacity in healthcare decision-making?
A. They are identical terms.
B. Competence is a legal determination made by a judge; capacity is a clinical assessment by a healthcare professional
of the patient's ability to understand information and make reasoned decisions.
C. Capacity is legal; competence is clinical.
D. Both are determined by the nurse at the bedside.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Competence: legal determination by judge. Capacity: clinical assessment by healthcare
professional
RATIONALE Competence and capacity are related but distinct concepts: Competence is a LEGAL determination — a judge
rules that a person cannot make legally binding decisions; it is a formal court finding that applies broadly
(e.g., appointing a guardian). Capacity is a CLINICAL assessment — a healthcare professional (often the
attending physician, sometimes with psychiatric consultation) evaluates whether the patient, at this specific
time, has the cognitive ability to: understand relevant information, appreciate the situation and its
consequences, reason about treatment options, and communicate a choice. Capacity is decision-specific and
can fluctuate (a patient may have capacity to make some decisions but not others; capacity may vary with
delirium, medication effects, time of day). Nurses contribute to capacity assessment by observing and
documenting the patient's cognitive status, understanding, and consistency in decision-making.
3. What is informed consent and what are its essential elements?
A. A signed form that protects the hospital.
B. A process where healthcare providers must explain the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives in understandable
language; the patient must have capacity, understand the information, and voluntarily agree without coercion.
C. Any consent given by a patient.
D. Consent obtained by the nurse after explaining the procedure.
CORRECT ANSWER B — A process: provider explains procedure/risks/benefits/alternatives; patient must have capacity,
understand, and voluntarily agree
RATIONALE Informed consent is a PROCESS, not merely a signed form. Essential elements: (1) The provider performing
the procedure must explain: the nature of the procedure, expected benefits, material risks and complications,
reasonable alternatives (including no treatment), and prognosis if untreated. (2) The patient must have
capacity to make the decision. (3) The information must be provided in language the patient understands
(use interpreter if needed, not family). (4) Consent must be voluntary — free from coercion or undue
influence. (5) The patient must demonstrate understanding (teach-back). The nurse's role: witness the
signature, verify the patient understands (if patient expresses confusion, notify provider — do NOT proceed),
and ensure consent is obtained BEFORE any sedating medications. The provider performing the procedure is
responsible for obtaining consent — this cannot be delegated to the nurse.
