Families Module Questions
Which of the following functions are included in the Nurse Practice Act (NPA) (Select
all that apply)
1. Protect the public
2. Define the scope of nursing practice
3. Determine liability insurance rates
4. Accredit schools of nursing
5. Enforce the ethical standards of behavior - Answer- 1 & 2
A state's NPA serves to protect the public by setting minimum qualifications for
nursing in relation to skills and competencies. One way it fulfills responsibility to
protect the public is by defining the scope of nursing practice in that state. The state
board of nursing approves schools to operate but does not accredit them. The state
board of nursing does not enforce ethical standards. A state NPA has no role in
setting liability insurance rates for nurses
-NPA defines the scope of practice, standards of care, standards for education
programs, licensure requirements, grounds for disciplinary actions and enforced by
state boards of nursing (BON)
A female client is scheduled for a hysterectomy. When discussing the preoperative
preparation the nurse identifies that the client has inadequate understanding of the
surgery. The nurse should:
A. Describe the proposed surgery to the client
B. Notify the surgeon that the client needs information
C. Explain to the client gently that she should have asked more questions
D. Proceed with implementing the preoperative plan - Answer- B. Notify the surgeon
that the client needs information
Legally, the person performing the surgery is responsible to inform the client
adequately; the nurse may clarify information, witness the client's signature and
cosign the consent form.
Which of the following best describes a consent form? Select all that apply.
1. Protects the health care facility but not the physician
2. Signifies that the patient and family have been told about the procedure
3. Signifies that the patient understands all aspects of the procedure
4. Must be signed by the patient or responsible party at the health care facility, and
that consent may not be obtained by phone or fax
5. May be signed by an emancipated minor - Answer- 1, 3, 5
-A consent form may be signed by an emancipated minor, and consent may be
obtained by fax or phone with appropriate witness. Only in the cases of underage
, children or unconscious or mentally incompetent people must a family member be
aware of the procedure. The document protects the surgeon and the health care
facility in that it indicates that the patient knows and understands all aspects of the
procedure.
-An emancipated minor is one who is legally under the age of majority (in most
states this is 18 years) but is recognized as having the legal capacity of an adult
under circumstances prescribed by state law such as pregnancy, miscarriage, high
school graduation, independent living or military service.
-Additionally, females younger than the age of consent are able to legally give
informed consent when they are minor parents, emancipated or adolescents seeking
birth control, mental health treatment, or substance abuse treatment. Nurses in the
perinatal setting should be familiar with the laws of their state regarding a minor's
ability to give informed consent.
A woman has decided to abort her pregnancy. Although the nurse disagrees with
abortion, the nurse recognizes the client is competent and supports the client's
decision using which ethical principle?
A. Justice
B. Fidelity
C. Autonomy
D. Confidentiality - Answer- C. Autonomy
Autonomy refers to the right to make one's own decision which is the principle
supported in this situation
You are a nurse in the ER caring for an 18 year old with a fractured leg. The
physician applied the cast with insufficient padding. The man's toes became swollen
and discolored and he developed decreased sensation.
You recognize these S/S of impaired circulation and call the physician repeatedly but
do not connect with him.
The 18 year old develops gangrene and his leg must be amputated
Do you think the nurse is liable in this case? - Answer- The nurse would be liable for
failing to adhere to the standards of care for monitoring and reporting the patient's
symptoms. even though she called multiple times, the nurse should have gone over
the physician's head to make sure that the patient is appropriately treated. She
should have called the supervisor.
When a nurse's care falls below the standard of care, malpractice results. The nurse
failed their duty and this caused harm, which was foreseeable. She didn't assess for
S/S of impaired circulation and didn't report S/S of impaired circulation either.
The nurse assesses an 8-hour postpartum patient. Findings include lochia rub, with
a firm fungus at the level of the umbilicus. What nursing action is indicated: