Eliopoulos Chapter 8- Legal Aspects
of Gerontological Nursing Exam
Actual Questions and Answers 2026
1. Which of the following aspects of gerontological nursing would
be most likely classified under private law?
A) The regulation of who may call himself or herself a "nurse"
B) The contract between an older adult resident and the owners of
the facility
C) The legal criteria for declaring an individual mentally
incompetent
D) The criminal consequences for instances of elder abuse -
correct answer ✅Ans: B
Feedback:
Private law involves relationships between individuals and
organizations, such as the contract between an individual and the
care facility in question. The other cited examples would fall under
the umbrella of public law.
2. A nurse has been providing care for a 69-year-old female client
who has recently had her right foot amputated as a result of a
chronic diabetic foot ulcer. The nurse undertook to perform
debridement of the wound despite lacking the relevant education
and experience. The client experienced permanent nerve damage
as a result of the nurse's misguided efforts. Which category of legal
liability is most likely relevant in this case?
,Eliopoulos Chapter 8- Legal Aspects
of Gerontological Nursing Exam
Actual Questions and Answers 2026
A) Larceny
B) Assault
C) Invasion of privacy
D) Negligence -
correct answer ✅Ans: D
Feedback:
Negligence involves the commission of an improper act, as
exemplified by the nurse's actions. Larceny is tantamount to theft,
while assault involves a deliberate threat to harm. The situation
would not be categorized as an invasion of privacy.
3. An investigation into reports of substandard care on the subacute
geriatric unit of a hospital has been undertaken. Which of the
following events are representative of malpractice on the part of
the nursing staff? Select all that apply.
A) A client with a documented history of seizures was left with his
bed raised and with bedrails not in place, resulting in a fall and
head injury.
B) A client was sent for a colonoscopy, after which it was learned
that the client had never given written consent for the procedure.
, Eliopoulos Chapter 8- Legal Aspects
of Gerontological Nursing Exam
Actual Questions and Answers 2026
C) A client with a diagnosis of vascular dementia was found
wandering in the hall outside the unit.
D) An immobile client was not turned over the course of a night
shift and developed a pressure ulcer on her coccyx.
E) A client admitted with a diagnosis of pneumonia contracted an
antibiotic-resistant organism during her stay. -
correct answer ✅Ans: A, D
Feedback:
Answers A and D include all of the components of malpractice:
duty, negligence, and injury. Answer B involves an abdication of
duty on the part of the physician, not the nurse, while answer C
lacks a resultant injury. Answer E does not necessarily suggest
negligence on the part of care providers.
4. A nurse is providing care for an older adult client who has been
admitted to the hospital with liver cirrhosis. The client has
expressed to the nurse his concerns that the details of his condition
and treatment remain confidential, and that written documentation
not "get out there." How can the nurse best respond to the client's
concerns?
A) "Anything that is discussed between us is confidential and will
not be shared with anyone else."
of Gerontological Nursing Exam
Actual Questions and Answers 2026
1. Which of the following aspects of gerontological nursing would
be most likely classified under private law?
A) The regulation of who may call himself or herself a "nurse"
B) The contract between an older adult resident and the owners of
the facility
C) The legal criteria for declaring an individual mentally
incompetent
D) The criminal consequences for instances of elder abuse -
correct answer ✅Ans: B
Feedback:
Private law involves relationships between individuals and
organizations, such as the contract between an individual and the
care facility in question. The other cited examples would fall under
the umbrella of public law.
2. A nurse has been providing care for a 69-year-old female client
who has recently had her right foot amputated as a result of a
chronic diabetic foot ulcer. The nurse undertook to perform
debridement of the wound despite lacking the relevant education
and experience. The client experienced permanent nerve damage
as a result of the nurse's misguided efforts. Which category of legal
liability is most likely relevant in this case?
,Eliopoulos Chapter 8- Legal Aspects
of Gerontological Nursing Exam
Actual Questions and Answers 2026
A) Larceny
B) Assault
C) Invasion of privacy
D) Negligence -
correct answer ✅Ans: D
Feedback:
Negligence involves the commission of an improper act, as
exemplified by the nurse's actions. Larceny is tantamount to theft,
while assault involves a deliberate threat to harm. The situation
would not be categorized as an invasion of privacy.
3. An investigation into reports of substandard care on the subacute
geriatric unit of a hospital has been undertaken. Which of the
following events are representative of malpractice on the part of
the nursing staff? Select all that apply.
A) A client with a documented history of seizures was left with his
bed raised and with bedrails not in place, resulting in a fall and
head injury.
B) A client was sent for a colonoscopy, after which it was learned
that the client had never given written consent for the procedure.
, Eliopoulos Chapter 8- Legal Aspects
of Gerontological Nursing Exam
Actual Questions and Answers 2026
C) A client with a diagnosis of vascular dementia was found
wandering in the hall outside the unit.
D) An immobile client was not turned over the course of a night
shift and developed a pressure ulcer on her coccyx.
E) A client admitted with a diagnosis of pneumonia contracted an
antibiotic-resistant organism during her stay. -
correct answer ✅Ans: A, D
Feedback:
Answers A and D include all of the components of malpractice:
duty, negligence, and injury. Answer B involves an abdication of
duty on the part of the physician, not the nurse, while answer C
lacks a resultant injury. Answer E does not necessarily suggest
negligence on the part of care providers.
4. A nurse is providing care for an older adult client who has been
admitted to the hospital with liver cirrhosis. The client has
expressed to the nurse his concerns that the details of his condition
and treatment remain confidential, and that written documentation
not "get out there." How can the nurse best respond to the client's
concerns?
A) "Anything that is discussed between us is confidential and will
not be shared with anyone else."
