NUR2214C MODULE 2 EAQS ETHICS, LEGAL
ISSUES, DELEGATION & PROFESSIONAL
NURSING PRACTICE — Q&A WITH RATIONALES
1. A nurse witnesses a spouse shaking a hospitalized client after an incontinence
episode. Which agency must the nurse notify?
Answer: Adult Protective Services.
Rationale: Nurses are mandatory reporters; suspected abuse of vulnerable adults
must be reported to Adult Protective Services for investigation.
2. How should a student nurse describe a quasi-intentional tort?
Answer: An act without intent to harm but carried out deliberately.
Rationale: Quasi-intentional torts involve voluntary actions such as defamation or
breach of confidentiality, even though harm may not have been intended.
3. Which acts are examples of intentional torts in nursing? (Select all that apply.)
Answer:
Battery
Assault
,False imprisonment
Rationale: Intentional torts involve deliberate actions that violate a person’s rights
or safety.
4. How many rights of delegation exist in nursing practice?
Answer: 5.
Rationale: The profession recognizes five rights: right task, right circumstances,
right person, right direction/communication, and right supervision/evaluation.
5. Which action shows that a nurse is actively listening to a client?
Answer: Restating the client’s message in the nurse’s own words for clarification.
Rationale: Paraphrasing verifies understanding and demonstrates engagement.
6. Which nursing action is least likely to lead to legal problems?
Answer: Staying with the client rather than leaving during short staffing.
Rationale: Abandonment of a patient can result in serious legal liability; staying
ensures patient safety.
7. In Kohlberg’s theory, which stage is demonstrated when a person wants to
change an unfair law?
,Answer: Universal ethical principle orientation.
Rationale: This stage prioritizes justice and moral principles over existing rules.
8. A nurse says, “That client can wait—I get annoyed when people drink too
much.” What does this reflect?
Answer: Personal bias.
Rationale: Allowing judgment or stereotypes to affect care compromises ethical
nursing practice.
9. Which component of decision-making refers to assigned duties?
Answer: Responsibility.
Rationale: Responsibility describes tasks and obligations associated with a nurse’s
role.
10. A nurse finds an elderly client receiving poor care at home. Which action
shows leadership?
Answer: Advocating for the client’s needs.
Rationale: Nurse leaders speak up for vulnerable individuals and coordinate
appropriate interventions.
11. A visitor asks about another client’s diagnosis. The nurse declines and asks if
the visitor is concerned. What principle is the nurse upholding?
, Answer: Confidentiality.
Rationale: Sharing client information with unauthorized individuals is a breach of
privacy laws.
12. Which delegation right involves giving clear instructions about a task?
Answer: Right communication.
Rationale: The delegator must provide detailed, understandable directions for safe
task completion.
13. Which psychosocial changes are typical in adolescents? (Select all that apply.)
Answer:
Seeking their own identity
Developing a personal moral framework
Rationale: Adolescence is marked by identity formation and creation of
individualized ethical values.
14. What legal issue may occur if a nurse restrains a client without proper
authorization?
ISSUES, DELEGATION & PROFESSIONAL
NURSING PRACTICE — Q&A WITH RATIONALES
1. A nurse witnesses a spouse shaking a hospitalized client after an incontinence
episode. Which agency must the nurse notify?
Answer: Adult Protective Services.
Rationale: Nurses are mandatory reporters; suspected abuse of vulnerable adults
must be reported to Adult Protective Services for investigation.
2. How should a student nurse describe a quasi-intentional tort?
Answer: An act without intent to harm but carried out deliberately.
Rationale: Quasi-intentional torts involve voluntary actions such as defamation or
breach of confidentiality, even though harm may not have been intended.
3. Which acts are examples of intentional torts in nursing? (Select all that apply.)
Answer:
Battery
Assault
,False imprisonment
Rationale: Intentional torts involve deliberate actions that violate a person’s rights
or safety.
4. How many rights of delegation exist in nursing practice?
Answer: 5.
Rationale: The profession recognizes five rights: right task, right circumstances,
right person, right direction/communication, and right supervision/evaluation.
5. Which action shows that a nurse is actively listening to a client?
Answer: Restating the client’s message in the nurse’s own words for clarification.
Rationale: Paraphrasing verifies understanding and demonstrates engagement.
6. Which nursing action is least likely to lead to legal problems?
Answer: Staying with the client rather than leaving during short staffing.
Rationale: Abandonment of a patient can result in serious legal liability; staying
ensures patient safety.
7. In Kohlberg’s theory, which stage is demonstrated when a person wants to
change an unfair law?
,Answer: Universal ethical principle orientation.
Rationale: This stage prioritizes justice and moral principles over existing rules.
8. A nurse says, “That client can wait—I get annoyed when people drink too
much.” What does this reflect?
Answer: Personal bias.
Rationale: Allowing judgment or stereotypes to affect care compromises ethical
nursing practice.
9. Which component of decision-making refers to assigned duties?
Answer: Responsibility.
Rationale: Responsibility describes tasks and obligations associated with a nurse’s
role.
10. A nurse finds an elderly client receiving poor care at home. Which action
shows leadership?
Answer: Advocating for the client’s needs.
Rationale: Nurse leaders speak up for vulnerable individuals and coordinate
appropriate interventions.
11. A visitor asks about another client’s diagnosis. The nurse declines and asks if
the visitor is concerned. What principle is the nurse upholding?
, Answer: Confidentiality.
Rationale: Sharing client information with unauthorized individuals is a breach of
privacy laws.
12. Which delegation right involves giving clear instructions about a task?
Answer: Right communication.
Rationale: The delegator must provide detailed, understandable directions for safe
task completion.
13. Which psychosocial changes are typical in adolescents? (Select all that apply.)
Answer:
Seeking their own identity
Developing a personal moral framework
Rationale: Adolescence is marked by identity formation and creation of
individualized ethical values.
14. What legal issue may occur if a nurse restrains a client without proper
authorization?
