1
NCLEX PN Exam Bank Legal
Responsibilities and Scope of Practice for
Practical Nurses
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Understanding Legal Accountability and Liability in Practical Nursing (20
Questions) ................................................................................................................... 2
Subtopic 2: Consent, Documentation, and Patient Rights in LPN Practice (Questions 21–
40) ............................................................................................................................. 10
Subtopic 3: Ethical Dilemmas and Legal Implications in LPN Practice (Questions 41–60) . 17
Subtopic 4: Delegation, Supervision, and Accountability in LPN Practice (Questions 61–80)
.................................................................................................................................. 25
Subtopic 5: Documentation, Incident Reporting, and Record Management ..................... 33
Subtopic 6: End-of-Life Care, Advanced Directives, and Legal Documentation ................ 42
Subtopic 7: Informed Consent, Client Rights, and Refusal of Care .................................. 50
Subtopic 8: Incident Reporting, Negligence, and Malpractice ......................................... 59
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Subtopic 1: Understanding Legal Accountability and
Liability in Practical Nursing (20 Questions)
1. A newly licensed practical nurse (LPN) administers a medication without verifying the
patient’s allergies, resulting in an anaphylactic reaction. What legal concept applies to the
LPN’s actions?
A. Informed consent
B. Negligence
C. Battery
D. Confidentiality
Correct answer: B. Negligence
Rationale: Negligence is the failure to provide care that a reasonably prudent nurse would
provide, resulting in harm. Not checking allergies is a breach of duty that led to harm.
2. Which of the following is an example of a legal responsibility unique to LPNs under the
nurse practice act?
A. Practicing under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed physician
B. Independently diagnosing and treating chronic conditions
C. Ordering diagnostic tests
D. Signing advanced directives
Correct answer: A. Practicing under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed
physician
Rationale: LPNs must operate under supervision as defined by the state nurse practice act
and cannot practice independently.
3. A patient refuses a prescribed treatment. What should the LPN do first?
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A. Proceed with treatment
B. Notify the registered nurse or physician immediately
C. Document that the patient is noncompliant
D. Call hospital security
Correct answer: B. Notify the registered nurse or physician immediately
Rationale: Refusal of treatment must be reported to the supervising provider, and the
patient’s autonomy must be respected.
4. An LPN discloses a patient’s HIV status to a family member without permission. What
law has likely been violated?
A. Patient Self-Determination Act
B. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
C. Good Samaritan Law
D. Occupational Safety and Health Act
Correct answer: B. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
Rationale: HIPAA protects patient health information, and sharing it without consent is a
violation.
5. Which documentation behavior may expose an LPN to legal liability?
A. Leaving blank lines in the nurse’s notes
B. Using standardized abbreviations
C. Writing in permanent ink
D. Documenting after completing care
Correct answer: A. Leaving blank lines in the nurse’s notes
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Rationale: Blank lines can allow for additions or alterations later, compromising legal
integrity of records.
6. An LPN observes a co-worker falsifying a medical record. What is the most appropriate
initial response?
A. Ignore the situation
B. Speak with the patient
C. Report the incident to the nurse supervisor immediately
D. Confront the co-worker publicly
Correct answer: C. Report the incident to the nurse supervisor immediately
Rationale: Reporting unethical or illegal conduct is a professional and legal obligation to
ensure patient safety and legal compliance.
7. What must be in place for an LPN to legally perform delegated tasks?
A. Proper delegation from an RN or physician and competency of the LPN
B. Verbal instruction from the patient
C. Task listed in the hospital manual
D. Autonomy granted by experience
Correct answer: A. Proper delegation from an RN or physician and competency of the LPN
Rationale: Legal delegation requires that the delegator ensure the LPN is competent and
the task falls within their scope.
8. Which scenario best reflects assault in the nursing context?
A. Restraining a patient without a physician’s order
B. Threatening to withhold pain medication if the patient does not cooperate
NCLEX PN Exam Bank Legal
Responsibilities and Scope of Practice for
Practical Nurses
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Understanding Legal Accountability and Liability in Practical Nursing (20
Questions) ................................................................................................................... 2
Subtopic 2: Consent, Documentation, and Patient Rights in LPN Practice (Questions 21–
40) ............................................................................................................................. 10
Subtopic 3: Ethical Dilemmas and Legal Implications in LPN Practice (Questions 41–60) . 17
Subtopic 4: Delegation, Supervision, and Accountability in LPN Practice (Questions 61–80)
.................................................................................................................................. 25
Subtopic 5: Documentation, Incident Reporting, and Record Management ..................... 33
Subtopic 6: End-of-Life Care, Advanced Directives, and Legal Documentation ................ 42
Subtopic 7: Informed Consent, Client Rights, and Refusal of Care .................................. 50
Subtopic 8: Incident Reporting, Negligence, and Malpractice ......................................... 59
, 2
Subtopic 1: Understanding Legal Accountability and
Liability in Practical Nursing (20 Questions)
1. A newly licensed practical nurse (LPN) administers a medication without verifying the
patient’s allergies, resulting in an anaphylactic reaction. What legal concept applies to the
LPN’s actions?
A. Informed consent
B. Negligence
C. Battery
D. Confidentiality
Correct answer: B. Negligence
Rationale: Negligence is the failure to provide care that a reasonably prudent nurse would
provide, resulting in harm. Not checking allergies is a breach of duty that led to harm.
2. Which of the following is an example of a legal responsibility unique to LPNs under the
nurse practice act?
A. Practicing under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed physician
B. Independently diagnosing and treating chronic conditions
C. Ordering diagnostic tests
D. Signing advanced directives
Correct answer: A. Practicing under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed
physician
Rationale: LPNs must operate under supervision as defined by the state nurse practice act
and cannot practice independently.
3. A patient refuses a prescribed treatment. What should the LPN do first?
, 3
A. Proceed with treatment
B. Notify the registered nurse or physician immediately
C. Document that the patient is noncompliant
D. Call hospital security
Correct answer: B. Notify the registered nurse or physician immediately
Rationale: Refusal of treatment must be reported to the supervising provider, and the
patient’s autonomy must be respected.
4. An LPN discloses a patient’s HIV status to a family member without permission. What
law has likely been violated?
A. Patient Self-Determination Act
B. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
C. Good Samaritan Law
D. Occupational Safety and Health Act
Correct answer: B. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
Rationale: HIPAA protects patient health information, and sharing it without consent is a
violation.
5. Which documentation behavior may expose an LPN to legal liability?
A. Leaving blank lines in the nurse’s notes
B. Using standardized abbreviations
C. Writing in permanent ink
D. Documenting after completing care
Correct answer: A. Leaving blank lines in the nurse’s notes
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Rationale: Blank lines can allow for additions or alterations later, compromising legal
integrity of records.
6. An LPN observes a co-worker falsifying a medical record. What is the most appropriate
initial response?
A. Ignore the situation
B. Speak with the patient
C. Report the incident to the nurse supervisor immediately
D. Confront the co-worker publicly
Correct answer: C. Report the incident to the nurse supervisor immediately
Rationale: Reporting unethical or illegal conduct is a professional and legal obligation to
ensure patient safety and legal compliance.
7. What must be in place for an LPN to legally perform delegated tasks?
A. Proper delegation from an RN or physician and competency of the LPN
B. Verbal instruction from the patient
C. Task listed in the hospital manual
D. Autonomy granted by experience
Correct answer: A. Proper delegation from an RN or physician and competency of the LPN
Rationale: Legal delegation requires that the delegator ensure the LPN is competent and
the task falls within their scope.
8. Which scenario best reflects assault in the nursing context?
A. Restraining a patient without a physician’s order
B. Threatening to withhold pain medication if the patient does not cooperate
