Chapter 3 Nursing Ethics and Law

Chapter 3  Nursing Ethics and Law

Complete Chapter Questions And Answers
 

Sample Questions

Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

____ 1. After providing am care for his patient, the nurse forgot to put the bed in the lowest position and left one of the bed rails down. The patient got out of bed and fell. The nurse could be reported to the board of nursing for
A.
Assault.
B.
Battery.
C.
Negligence.
D.
Libel.

____ 2. A nurse has been reported to the board of nursing for performing skills that are outside the scope of practice. The nurse should expect
A.
A lawsuit by the institution for malpractice.
B.
A hearing by the board of nursing to determine if charges are true.
C.
Immediate revocation of nursing license.
D.
Requirement to complete a minimum of 10 CEUs.

____ 3. A nurse witnesses a coworker taking a medication ordered for a patient. The nurse’s first course of action is to
A.
Ask the other nurses on the unit what they would do.
B.
Tell the coworker that the incident will be reported the next time it happens.
C.
Offer to care for the nurse’s patients until the medication is no longer effective.
D.
Report the incident to the nurse supervisor.

____ 4. A 17-year-old patient, injured during a football game, is in the emergency room. Prior to treatment it is the responsibility of the nurse to
A.
Have the stepparent sign the informed consent.
B.
Have the patient sign the informed consent.
C.
Obtain the custodial parent’s signature on the informed consent.
D.
Solicit the signature of the noncustodial parent on the informed consent.

____ 5. A mentally competent patient with a terminal illness refuses to take his medications stating, “I don’t want to live like this.” The nurse will
A.
Ask the physician to change the patient’s medications so they can be given intravenously.
B.
Speak to the patient’s family about his refusal of medications so they can discuss it with him.
C.
Report the patient’s decision to the physician and continue to provide appropriate compassionate care.
D.
Explain to the patient the unwise nature of his decision and the effect that it will have on his family.

Chapter 3. Nursing Ethics and Law
Answer Section

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. ANS: C

Feedback
A
Assault is a threat to a person.
B
Battery is touching the patient or performing a treatment, etc. without the patient’s permission.
C
Leaving the bed in the lowest position and raising the bed rails are common standards of practice. Failure to take those actions is negligence. Chapter Objective: Apply nursing ethics and laws to specific scenarios.
D
An example of libel is a false written statement that is untrue.

PTS: 1 REF: Chapter: 3 | Page: 32 OBJ: Chapter Objective: 3-12
KEY: Content Area: Coordinated Care | Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation | Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment/Coordinated Care/Legal Responsibilities | Cognitive Level: Analysis

2. ANS: B

Feedback
A
The institution may terminate a nurse’s employment, but it is improbable that the institution will file a lawsuit.
B
Most likely a hearing will be conducted by the board of nursing to determine if the charges reported are true. Chapter Objective: Apply nursing ethics and laws to specific scenarios.
C
The nurse may have his or her license suspended, but the first course of action will be a hearing by the board of nursing to determine if charges are true.
D
Some boards of nursing may require CEUs or refresher courses that will not be the course of action.

PTS: 1 REF: Chapter: 3 | Page: 35 OBJ: Chapter Objective: 3-12
KEY: Content Area: Coordinated Care | Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation | Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment/Coordinated Care/Legal Responsibilities | Cognitive Level: Analysis

3. ANS: D

Feedback
A
A nurse should never discuss the situation with coworkers.
B
It is the nurse’s responsibility to report the situation immediately.
C
Offering to provide care for the nurse’s patients temporarily and not reporting the incident immediately is an inappropriate action.
D
The nurse is to report the coworker’s behavior to the nurse supervisor immediately. Chapter Objective: Identify at least six types of unethical behavior that as a nurse you must report.

PTS: 1 REF: Chapter: 3 | Page: 32 OBJ: Chapter Objective: 3-3
KEY: Content Area: Coordinated Care | Integrated Process: Nursing Process/Implementation | Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment/Coordinated Care/Legal Responsibilities | Cognitive Level: Analysis

4. ANS: C

Feedback
A
In most states, the stepparent does not have the legal authority to sign an informed consent.
B
An informed consent must be signed by someone 18 years or older unless he or she has been declared an emancipated minor.
C
Informed consent for a minor must be obtained from the parent with custody. Chapter Objective: Apply nursing ethics and laws to specific scenarios.
D
In most states the custodial parent, not the noncustodial parent, must sign the informed consent.

PTS: 1 REF: Chapter: 3 | Page: 41 OBJ: Chapter Objective: 3-12
KEY: Content Area: Coordinated Care | Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation | Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment/Coordinated Care/Informed Consent | Cognitive Level: Application

5. ANS: C

Feedback
A
Forcing medications on a patient is a violation of the patient’s rights. It could also constitute assault and/or battery charges.
B
Discussing the patient with his family without his permission violates HIPPA.
C
It is important to notify the physician of the patient’s decision and recognize the patient’s right to discontinue his medications. Chapter Objective: Apply nursing ethics and laws to specific scenarios.
D
It is the patient’s right to refuse any form of treatment. The nurse can discuss all options with the patient, but telling a patient that his decision is unwise is inappropriate.

PTS: 1 REF: Chapter: 3 | Page: 33 OBJ: Chapter Objective: 3-12
KEY: Content Area: Coordinated Care | Integrated Process: Nursing Process/Implementation | Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment/Coordinated Care/Client Rights | Cognitive Level: Analysis