Chapter 2: Legal and Ethical Aspects of Nursing
Cooper and Gosnell: Foundations and Adult Health
Nursing, 7th Edition
What fundamental principle must the nurse first observe when confronted with an ethical
decision?
a. Autonomy
b. Beneficence
c. Respect for people
d. Nonmaleficence - ANSWER-C
A nurse working on an acute care medical surgical unit is aware that his or her first duty is to the
patient's health, safety, and well-being. Given this knowledge, which of the following is most
necessary for the nurse to report?
a. Unethical behavior of other staff members
b. A worker who arrives late
c. Favoritism shown by nursing administration
d. Arguments among the staff - ANSWER-A
A nurse is considering purchasing malpractice insurance. What should the nurse be aware of
regarding malpractice insurance provided by the hospital?
a. Only offers protection while on duty
b. Is limited in the amount of coverage
c. Is difficult to renew
d. Can be terminated at any time - ANSWER-A
Which is a nursing care error that violates the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act (HIPAA)?
a. Administering a stronger dose of drug than was ordered
b. Refusing to give a patient's daughter information over the phone
, c. Informing the patient's medical power of attorney of a medication change
d. Leaving a copy of the patient's history and physical in the photocopier - ANSWER-D
Which of the following could cause a nurse to be cited for malpractice?
a. Refusing to give 60 mg of morphine as ordered
b. Giving prochlorperazine (Compazine) to a patient allergic to phenothiazines
c. Dragging an injured motorist off the highway and causing further injury
d. Informing a visitor about a patient's condition - ANSWER-B
A lumbar puncture was performed on a patient without a signed informed consent form. This
patient might sue for:
a. punitive damages.
b. civil battery.
c. assault.
d. nothing; no violation has occurred. - ANSWER-B
A physician instructs the nurse to bladder train a patient. The nurse clamps the patient's
indwelling urinary catheter but forgets to unclamp it. The patient develops a urinary tract
infection. What do the nurse's actions exemplify?
a. Malpractice
b. Battery
c. Assault
d. Neglect of duty - ANSWER-A
What is true about nurse practice acts?
a. They informally define the scope of nursing practice.
b. They provide for unlimited scope of nursing practice.
c. Only some states have adopted a nurse practice act.
d. The nurse must know the nurse practice act within his or her state. - ANSWER-D
When a nurse becomes involved in a legal action, the first step to occur is that a document is
filed in an appropriate court. What is this document called?
Cooper and Gosnell: Foundations and Adult Health
Nursing, 7th Edition
What fundamental principle must the nurse first observe when confronted with an ethical
decision?
a. Autonomy
b. Beneficence
c. Respect for people
d. Nonmaleficence - ANSWER-C
A nurse working on an acute care medical surgical unit is aware that his or her first duty is to the
patient's health, safety, and well-being. Given this knowledge, which of the following is most
necessary for the nurse to report?
a. Unethical behavior of other staff members
b. A worker who arrives late
c. Favoritism shown by nursing administration
d. Arguments among the staff - ANSWER-A
A nurse is considering purchasing malpractice insurance. What should the nurse be aware of
regarding malpractice insurance provided by the hospital?
a. Only offers protection while on duty
b. Is limited in the amount of coverage
c. Is difficult to renew
d. Can be terminated at any time - ANSWER-A
Which is a nursing care error that violates the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act (HIPAA)?
a. Administering a stronger dose of drug than was ordered
b. Refusing to give a patient's daughter information over the phone
, c. Informing the patient's medical power of attorney of a medication change
d. Leaving a copy of the patient's history and physical in the photocopier - ANSWER-D
Which of the following could cause a nurse to be cited for malpractice?
a. Refusing to give 60 mg of morphine as ordered
b. Giving prochlorperazine (Compazine) to a patient allergic to phenothiazines
c. Dragging an injured motorist off the highway and causing further injury
d. Informing a visitor about a patient's condition - ANSWER-B
A lumbar puncture was performed on a patient without a signed informed consent form. This
patient might sue for:
a. punitive damages.
b. civil battery.
c. assault.
d. nothing; no violation has occurred. - ANSWER-B
A physician instructs the nurse to bladder train a patient. The nurse clamps the patient's
indwelling urinary catheter but forgets to unclamp it. The patient develops a urinary tract
infection. What do the nurse's actions exemplify?
a. Malpractice
b. Battery
c. Assault
d. Neglect of duty - ANSWER-A
What is true about nurse practice acts?
a. They informally define the scope of nursing practice.
b. They provide for unlimited scope of nursing practice.
c. Only some states have adopted a nurse practice act.
d. The nurse must know the nurse practice act within his or her state. - ANSWER-D
When a nurse becomes involved in a legal action, the first step to occur is that a document is
filed in an appropriate court. What is this document called?
