FOUNDATIONS OF ADULT HEALTH NURSING –
CHAPTER 2 Legal and Ethical Aspects of
Nursing | 2025/2026 Latest Exam Prep
Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Graded A+
EXAMINATION OVERVIEW
Content Domain Questions Key Topics Weight
Nurse Practice Acts, scope
Legal Foundations 14 of practice, standards of 16%
care, licensure
Tort law, criminal law, civil
Types of Law &
14 law, negligence, 16%
Legal Issues
malpractice, liability
Autonomy, beneficence,
Ethical Principles &
16 nonmaleficence, justice, 18%
Theories
veracity, fidelity
Provisions, application in
ANA Code of Ethics 10 11%
practice, ethical obligations
HIPAA, informed consent,
Patient Rights &
12 advance directives, patient 13%
Confidentiality
autonomy
,Content Domain Questions Key Topics Weight
Ethical frameworks,
Ethical Dilemmas &
10 resolution models, moral 11%
Decision-Making
distress
Delegation,
Professional documentation, duty to
14 16%
Accountability report, professional
boundaries
Q1. What is the primary purpose of the Nurse Practice Act in each state?
• A) Regulate hospital policies
• B) Define the scope of nursing practice
• C) Set nurse salaries
• D) Establish nursing schools
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Nurse Practice Act is a state law that defines the legal scope of
nursing practice, establishes standards for nursing education, and protects
public safety by ensuring nurses are competent.
Why Wrong: A is incorrect because hospital policies are set by individual
institutions; C is incorrect because salaries are not determined by the Nurse
Practice Act; D is incorrect because nursing schools are accredited by other
bodies.
Q2. The Nurse Practice Act is enforced by which entity?
• A) The Joint Commission
• B) The State Board of Nursing
, • C) The American Nurses Association (ANA)
• D) The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The State Board of Nursing is responsible for enforcing the Nurse
Practice Act, including licensure, discipline, and practice standards within
each state.
Why Wrong: A is an accreditation body; C is a professional organization; D is
a national coordinating body that does not enforce state laws.
Q3. Which of the following is an example of a civil law issue in nursing?
• A) Drug diversion by a nurse
• B) A patient filing a lawsuit for negligence
• C) Assault on a patient
• D) Practicing without a license
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Civil law involves disputes between individuals, such as a patient
suing a nurse for negligence or malpractice. Criminal law (drug diversion,
assault) and administrative law (practicing without a license) are different.
Why Wrong: A and D are criminal or administrative violations; C is a criminal
offense.
Q4. The standard of care for a nurse is defined as:
• A) What the hospital policy requires
• B) What a reasonably prudent nurse would do in similar
circumstances
• C) What the physician orders
• D) The minimum care required by law
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: The standard of care is a legal benchmark based on what a
reasonably prudent nurse with similar education and experience would do in
similar circumstances.
Why Wrong: A, C, and D are components but not the complete legal
definition.
Q5. A nurse's license can be revoked for all of the following EXCEPT:
• A) Practicing while impaired by drugs or alcohol
• B) Making a medication error without patient harm
• C) Conviction of a felony
• D) Falsifying patient records
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A single medication error without patient harm is typically not
grounds for license revocation unless it involves gross negligence or a pattern
of errors. The other options are serious violations that can lead to discipline.
Why Wrong: A, C, and D are all grounds for disciplinary action against a
nursing license.
Q6. A nurse who fails to document a patient's change in condition and
the patient suffers harm may be held liable for:
• A) Assault
• B) Negligence
• C) Battery
• D) Defamation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Failure to document a change in condition that leads to patient
harm constitutes negligence—a breach of the duty to provide reasonable care.
Why Wrong: A and C involve intentional acts; D involves damaging a person's
reputation.
CHAPTER 2 Legal and Ethical Aspects of
Nursing | 2025/2026 Latest Exam Prep
Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Graded A+
EXAMINATION OVERVIEW
Content Domain Questions Key Topics Weight
Nurse Practice Acts, scope
Legal Foundations 14 of practice, standards of 16%
care, licensure
Tort law, criminal law, civil
Types of Law &
14 law, negligence, 16%
Legal Issues
malpractice, liability
Autonomy, beneficence,
Ethical Principles &
16 nonmaleficence, justice, 18%
Theories
veracity, fidelity
Provisions, application in
ANA Code of Ethics 10 11%
practice, ethical obligations
HIPAA, informed consent,
Patient Rights &
12 advance directives, patient 13%
Confidentiality
autonomy
,Content Domain Questions Key Topics Weight
Ethical frameworks,
Ethical Dilemmas &
10 resolution models, moral 11%
Decision-Making
distress
Delegation,
Professional documentation, duty to
14 16%
Accountability report, professional
boundaries
Q1. What is the primary purpose of the Nurse Practice Act in each state?
• A) Regulate hospital policies
• B) Define the scope of nursing practice
• C) Set nurse salaries
• D) Establish nursing schools
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Nurse Practice Act is a state law that defines the legal scope of
nursing practice, establishes standards for nursing education, and protects
public safety by ensuring nurses are competent.
Why Wrong: A is incorrect because hospital policies are set by individual
institutions; C is incorrect because salaries are not determined by the Nurse
Practice Act; D is incorrect because nursing schools are accredited by other
bodies.
Q2. The Nurse Practice Act is enforced by which entity?
• A) The Joint Commission
• B) The State Board of Nursing
, • C) The American Nurses Association (ANA)
• D) The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The State Board of Nursing is responsible for enforcing the Nurse
Practice Act, including licensure, discipline, and practice standards within
each state.
Why Wrong: A is an accreditation body; C is a professional organization; D is
a national coordinating body that does not enforce state laws.
Q3. Which of the following is an example of a civil law issue in nursing?
• A) Drug diversion by a nurse
• B) A patient filing a lawsuit for negligence
• C) Assault on a patient
• D) Practicing without a license
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Civil law involves disputes between individuals, such as a patient
suing a nurse for negligence or malpractice. Criminal law (drug diversion,
assault) and administrative law (practicing without a license) are different.
Why Wrong: A and D are criminal or administrative violations; C is a criminal
offense.
Q4. The standard of care for a nurse is defined as:
• A) What the hospital policy requires
• B) What a reasonably prudent nurse would do in similar
circumstances
• C) What the physician orders
• D) The minimum care required by law
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: The standard of care is a legal benchmark based on what a
reasonably prudent nurse with similar education and experience would do in
similar circumstances.
Why Wrong: A, C, and D are components but not the complete legal
definition.
Q5. A nurse's license can be revoked for all of the following EXCEPT:
• A) Practicing while impaired by drugs or alcohol
• B) Making a medication error without patient harm
• C) Conviction of a felony
• D) Falsifying patient records
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A single medication error without patient harm is typically not
grounds for license revocation unless it involves gross negligence or a pattern
of errors. The other options are serious violations that can lead to discipline.
Why Wrong: A, C, and D are all grounds for disciplinary action against a
nursing license.
Q6. A nurse who fails to document a patient's change in condition and
the patient suffers harm may be held liable for:
• A) Assault
• B) Negligence
• C) Battery
• D) Defamation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Failure to document a change in condition that leads to patient
harm constitutes negligence—a breach of the duty to provide reasonable care.
Why Wrong: A and C involve intentional acts; D involves damaging a person's
reputation.
