NSG 312 - LEGALITIES IN NURSING EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE
2026
NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing) - Answers Regulatory body formed to safeguard
the safety of the public in the regulation of nurses
Protects the public by ensuring that safe and competent nursing care is provided by licensed nurses
To ensure nurses have the knowledge and skills to practice, a psychometrically sound and legally
defensible nurse licensure exam consistent with current nursing practice (NCLEX)
Implemented Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT)
Comprised of Boards of Nursing from 50 states and the District of Columbia
Enforces and interprets the Nursing Practice Act
Defines and approves scope of RN, LPN and APRN practice
Approves prelicensure nursing education
Rules and regulation for discipline if NPA is violated
Analyzes violation and penalties
Violation of the NPA can lead to criminal charges if the conduct is severe enough - patient abuse,
neglect, fraud
State Board of Nursing - Answers If an RN is accused of malpractice or any other serious performance
issue that does notmeet standard of care, the HCO must report the nurse to the State Board
SBON governs nursing practice according to that state's NPA
Disciplinary options - suspend or revoke an individual's nursing license to protect the public from
unsafe practice
Non disciplinary options - warning, remedial education order
NPA - Answers Legally controls nursing practice in each state
Most important law affecting our nursing practice
Defines responsibility and scope of practice
Defines unprofessional conduct
Examples: AN RN may:
- Diagnose and treat a patient's unique responses to diagnosed health problems
- Perform health assessments to identify new symptoms of possibly undiagnosed conditions or
complications
- Teach and counsel patients about maintenance of health and prevention of illness or complications
- Execute medical regimens as prescribed by licensed physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners,
physician assistants, and podiatrists
Unprofessional Conduct - Answers Drug and/or alcohol abuse - practicing while under the influence
Fraud or deceptive practices - documenting interventions not done; altering documentation to cover
up an error
Criminal acts
, Failing to use scientifically accepted infection prevention techniques
Abandoning or neglecting a patient in need of immediate professional care without making
reasonable arrangements for the continuation of such care
RN license is a property right and cannot be taken away without due process
RN License - Answers Professional license is valid for life unless revoked or surrendered for
professional misconduct
It is your obligation and responsibility to be mindful of the following when it comes to maintaining
your registration:
- Expiration date. If expired do not practice until renewed
- Report name or address change to licensing agency for future renewals
- Answer all questions pertaining to both criminal convictions and terminations of employment
truthfully
- Practice within your scope of practice and standard of care guidelines
- Complete required training for license renewal
Patients Rights In A Hospital - Answers Every patient has the right to be free from invasion of his or
her own person.
Adult patients who are alert and oriented have the right to refuse treatment.
Patients have a legal right to informed consent of a proposed treatment or procedure.
Patients have the right to considerate, respectful and safe care.
Patients have the right to have an advance directive, such as a living will or health care proxy.
Patients have the right to review their medical record and to have information explained ,except
when restricted by law
Informed Consent - Answers A legal process by which a patient or patient's legally appointed designee
has given permission for a procedure or invasive treatment
Examples: (Varies from state-to-state)
- "Operative and invasive procedures including endoscopy, general surgery or interventional
radiology. Other procedures that involve puncture or incision of the skin, or insertion of an instrument
or foreign material into the body are within the scope of the protocol. Also applies to those
anesthesia procedures either prior to a surgical procedure or independent of a surgical procedure
such as spinal facet blocks.
- "Certain "minor" procedures such as venipuncture, peripheral IV placement, insertion of nasogastric
tube and foley catheter insertion are not within the scope of the protocol."
What must a health care provider inform the patient about? - Answers The procedure, risks, benefits,
and alternatives of a given procedure or intervention.
Can nurses give informed consent? - Answers No, but they can witness a patient's signature on the
consent form.
What is negligent non-disclosure in nursing? - Answers The RN is obligated to inform the
physician/supervisor if a patient has not received required information or does not understand the
procedure.
What happens if a patient refuses a procedure after signing consent? - Answers A patient has the right
to refuse the procedure.
What can result from carrying out a procedure without informed consent? - Answers Charges of
assault and battery.
RN's Responsibility in Consent Procedure - Answers Witnesses signature on the consent
Ensures the provider gave the necessary information
2026
NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing) - Answers Regulatory body formed to safeguard
the safety of the public in the regulation of nurses
Protects the public by ensuring that safe and competent nursing care is provided by licensed nurses
To ensure nurses have the knowledge and skills to practice, a psychometrically sound and legally
defensible nurse licensure exam consistent with current nursing practice (NCLEX)
Implemented Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT)
Comprised of Boards of Nursing from 50 states and the District of Columbia
Enforces and interprets the Nursing Practice Act
Defines and approves scope of RN, LPN and APRN practice
Approves prelicensure nursing education
Rules and regulation for discipline if NPA is violated
Analyzes violation and penalties
Violation of the NPA can lead to criminal charges if the conduct is severe enough - patient abuse,
neglect, fraud
State Board of Nursing - Answers If an RN is accused of malpractice or any other serious performance
issue that does notmeet standard of care, the HCO must report the nurse to the State Board
SBON governs nursing practice according to that state's NPA
Disciplinary options - suspend or revoke an individual's nursing license to protect the public from
unsafe practice
Non disciplinary options - warning, remedial education order
NPA - Answers Legally controls nursing practice in each state
Most important law affecting our nursing practice
Defines responsibility and scope of practice
Defines unprofessional conduct
Examples: AN RN may:
- Diagnose and treat a patient's unique responses to diagnosed health problems
- Perform health assessments to identify new symptoms of possibly undiagnosed conditions or
complications
- Teach and counsel patients about maintenance of health and prevention of illness or complications
- Execute medical regimens as prescribed by licensed physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners,
physician assistants, and podiatrists
Unprofessional Conduct - Answers Drug and/or alcohol abuse - practicing while under the influence
Fraud or deceptive practices - documenting interventions not done; altering documentation to cover
up an error
Criminal acts
, Failing to use scientifically accepted infection prevention techniques
Abandoning or neglecting a patient in need of immediate professional care without making
reasonable arrangements for the continuation of such care
RN license is a property right and cannot be taken away without due process
RN License - Answers Professional license is valid for life unless revoked or surrendered for
professional misconduct
It is your obligation and responsibility to be mindful of the following when it comes to maintaining
your registration:
- Expiration date. If expired do not practice until renewed
- Report name or address change to licensing agency for future renewals
- Answer all questions pertaining to both criminal convictions and terminations of employment
truthfully
- Practice within your scope of practice and standard of care guidelines
- Complete required training for license renewal
Patients Rights In A Hospital - Answers Every patient has the right to be free from invasion of his or
her own person.
Adult patients who are alert and oriented have the right to refuse treatment.
Patients have a legal right to informed consent of a proposed treatment or procedure.
Patients have the right to considerate, respectful and safe care.
Patients have the right to have an advance directive, such as a living will or health care proxy.
Patients have the right to review their medical record and to have information explained ,except
when restricted by law
Informed Consent - Answers A legal process by which a patient or patient's legally appointed designee
has given permission for a procedure or invasive treatment
Examples: (Varies from state-to-state)
- "Operative and invasive procedures including endoscopy, general surgery or interventional
radiology. Other procedures that involve puncture or incision of the skin, or insertion of an instrument
or foreign material into the body are within the scope of the protocol. Also applies to those
anesthesia procedures either prior to a surgical procedure or independent of a surgical procedure
such as spinal facet blocks.
- "Certain "minor" procedures such as venipuncture, peripheral IV placement, insertion of nasogastric
tube and foley catheter insertion are not within the scope of the protocol."
What must a health care provider inform the patient about? - Answers The procedure, risks, benefits,
and alternatives of a given procedure or intervention.
Can nurses give informed consent? - Answers No, but they can witness a patient's signature on the
consent form.
What is negligent non-disclosure in nursing? - Answers The RN is obligated to inform the
physician/supervisor if a patient has not received required information or does not understand the
procedure.
What happens if a patient refuses a procedure after signing consent? - Answers A patient has the right
to refuse the procedure.
What can result from carrying out a procedure without informed consent? - Answers Charges of
assault and battery.
RN's Responsibility in Consent Procedure - Answers Witnesses signature on the consent
Ensures the provider gave the necessary information
