Chapter 29. Malpractice and the Advanced
Practice Nurse
1. The quality of nursing care is judged by whether nursing actions meet the standard of
care. Which of the following is an example of meeting the standard of care?
a. Demonstrating the use of the nursing process when charting
b. Following actions consistent with local practice
c. Monitoring a patient more closely if the equipment has occasionally
malfunctioned
d. Bypassing medication checks to save time once the nurse is experienced
ANS: A
Feedback
A. Charting that includes assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation must
be present in the patients record.
B. National, not local, standards of practice should be used.
C. Nurses must use equipment properly and replace it when it is malfunctioning.
D. Proper medication safety checks are the standard of practice for all nurses,
including those with experience.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 83
2. Which of the following is an important step in preventing legal action against the nurse?
a. Never make a mistake.
b. Deflect blame from yourself as much as possible.
c. Develop caring, therapeutic relationships with patients.
d. Avoid explaining care procedures to patients.
, ANS: C
Feedback
A. It is not reasonable to expect that nurses will never make a mistake.
B. Nurses must have accountability for errors.
C. Establishing and maintaining good communication and rapport with patients
not only is an aspect of best practice but also protects the nurse from lawsuits.
D. Nurses should explain all procedures to patients.
3. The Patient Self-Determination Act of 1991, as implemented today, is known as
providing
a. informed consent.
b. advance directives.
c. patient bill of rights.
d. HIPAA protections.
ANS: B
Feedback
A. Informed consent assures patient autonomy.
B. Advance directives describe an individuals preferences in regard to medical
intervention should the individual become incapacitated, which was the primary
intent of the Patient Self-Determination Act of 1991.
C. The patient bill of rights assures patients certain basic rights unrelated to
becoming incapacitated.
D. HIPAA protects medical records from disclosure.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 82
Practice Nurse
1. The quality of nursing care is judged by whether nursing actions meet the standard of
care. Which of the following is an example of meeting the standard of care?
a. Demonstrating the use of the nursing process when charting
b. Following actions consistent with local practice
c. Monitoring a patient more closely if the equipment has occasionally
malfunctioned
d. Bypassing medication checks to save time once the nurse is experienced
ANS: A
Feedback
A. Charting that includes assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation must
be present in the patients record.
B. National, not local, standards of practice should be used.
C. Nurses must use equipment properly and replace it when it is malfunctioning.
D. Proper medication safety checks are the standard of practice for all nurses,
including those with experience.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 83
2. Which of the following is an important step in preventing legal action against the nurse?
a. Never make a mistake.
b. Deflect blame from yourself as much as possible.
c. Develop caring, therapeutic relationships with patients.
d. Avoid explaining care procedures to patients.
, ANS: C
Feedback
A. It is not reasonable to expect that nurses will never make a mistake.
B. Nurses must have accountability for errors.
C. Establishing and maintaining good communication and rapport with patients
not only is an aspect of best practice but also protects the nurse from lawsuits.
D. Nurses should explain all procedures to patients.
3. The Patient Self-Determination Act of 1991, as implemented today, is known as
providing
a. informed consent.
b. advance directives.
c. patient bill of rights.
d. HIPAA protections.
ANS: B
Feedback
A. Informed consent assures patient autonomy.
B. Advance directives describe an individuals preferences in regard to medical
intervention should the individual become incapacitated, which was the primary
intent of the Patient Self-Determination Act of 1991.
C. The patient bill of rights assures patients certain basic rights unrelated to
becoming incapacitated.
D. HIPAA protects medical records from disclosure.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 82
