South Carolina RN Jurisprudence Exam
— Code: SC-RN-JP | 100-Question
Advanced Practice Exam 2026 |
Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam Prep &
Study Guide
1. Which activity most directly falls within the statutory definition of the
practice of registered nursing in South Carolina?
A. Diagnosing a medical condition and independently prescribing antibiotics
B. Assessing a patient's health status, analyzing findings, establishing outcomes,
and implementing nursing interventions
C. Performing surgery under a physician's standing order
D. Dispensing prescription medications from a pharmacy
Answer: Assessing a patient's health status, analyzing findings, establishing
outcomes, and implementing nursing interventions
,Rationale: South Carolina defines registered nursing as health care acts
involving the nursing process, including assessment, analysis, establishment of
outcomes, prescribing and implementing nursing interventions, and evaluation.
2. An RN is asked to perform a procedure that is outside the nurse's usual
clinical experience. What is the most appropriate legal consideration?
A. The RN may perform it because a physician requested it
B. The RN may perform it if another nurse is present
C. The RN must have appropriate education, competence, and authority within
the scope of practice
D. The RN may perform it if the patient signs consent
Answer: The RN must have appropriate education, competence, and authority
within the scope of practice
Rationale: Practicing outside the nurse's scope by assuming responsibilities
without adequate education is identified as misconduct. A provider's request
does not automatically expand an RN's scope.
3. Which statement best describes medication administration under South
Carolina nursing law?
A. Only physicians may administer medications
B. UAPs may routinely administer all medications after orientation
C. Medication administration includes preparing and giving medications
according to an authorized order and observing and reporting effects and
adverse reactions
D. Medication administration consists only of physically giving the drug
Answer: Medication administration includes preparing and giving medications
according to an authorized order and observing and reporting effects and
adverse reactions
Rationale: The statutory definition includes preparation and administration
according to drug, dose, route, and frequency, as well as observation, recording,
reporting, patient instruction, and recognition of complications.
, 4. An RN delegates routine vital-sign collection to a trained UAP. Who remains
responsible for the delegation and supervision?
A. The physician
B. The hospital administrator
C. The UAP
D. The RN
Answer: The RN
Rationale: South Carolina law places responsibility for delegation and
supervision of nursing tasks to UAPs on the RN, APRN, or LPN, as applicable.
5. Which task is specifically identified as potentially delegable to UAPs under
South Carolina law?
A. Initial nursing assessment
B. Independent nursing diagnosis
C. Taking vital signs
D. Developing the nursing plan of care
Answer: Taking vital signs
Rationale: South Carolina expressly identifies vital-sign measurement among
tasks that may be delegated and performed under supervision.
6. An RN delegates a task to a UAP who has never demonstrated competency
in that task. Which principle is most applicable?
A. Delegation transfers all legal responsibility to the UAP
B. Delegation is automatically valid if the patient consents
C. The RN must ensure that the person receiving the task is qualified and
adequately supervised
D. The employer assumes all responsibility
Answer: The RN must ensure that the person receiving the task is qualified and
adequately supervised
, Rationale: South Carolina law requires employers to verify training and
competency, while the licensed nurse is responsible for delegation and
supervision. Assigning unqualified persons or failing to supervise effectively can
constitute misconduct.
7. Which action could constitute misconduct by a South Carolina RN?
A. Seeking clarification of an unclear order
B. Reporting unsafe practice
C. Assigning an unqualified person to perform nursing care
D. Refusing an assignment that is outside the nurse's competence
Answer: Assigning an unqualified person to perform nursing care
Rationale: South Carolina identifies assigning unqualified persons to perform
nursing functions or failing to effectively supervise delegated functions as
misconduct.
8. A nurse discovers that another licensed nurse is repeatedly practicing
incompetently. What is the nurse's legal responsibility?
A. Ignore it unless a patient is injured
B. Discuss it only with coworkers
C. Report the incompetent or unprofessional practice to the appropriate
authority, including the Board when appropriate
D. Post a warning about the nurse on social media
Answer: Report the incompetent or unprofessional practice to the appropriate
authority, including the Board when appropriate
Rationale: Failure to report incompetent or unprofessional practice to
appropriate authorities, including the Board, is listed as misconduct.
9. Which action is most consistent with proper professional accountability
when an RN receives an assignment involving a procedure for which the RN
lacks adequate education?
— Code: SC-RN-JP | 100-Question
Advanced Practice Exam 2026 |
Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam Prep &
Study Guide
1. Which activity most directly falls within the statutory definition of the
practice of registered nursing in South Carolina?
A. Diagnosing a medical condition and independently prescribing antibiotics
B. Assessing a patient's health status, analyzing findings, establishing outcomes,
and implementing nursing interventions
C. Performing surgery under a physician's standing order
D. Dispensing prescription medications from a pharmacy
Answer: Assessing a patient's health status, analyzing findings, establishing
outcomes, and implementing nursing interventions
,Rationale: South Carolina defines registered nursing as health care acts
involving the nursing process, including assessment, analysis, establishment of
outcomes, prescribing and implementing nursing interventions, and evaluation.
2. An RN is asked to perform a procedure that is outside the nurse's usual
clinical experience. What is the most appropriate legal consideration?
A. The RN may perform it because a physician requested it
B. The RN may perform it if another nurse is present
C. The RN must have appropriate education, competence, and authority within
the scope of practice
D. The RN may perform it if the patient signs consent
Answer: The RN must have appropriate education, competence, and authority
within the scope of practice
Rationale: Practicing outside the nurse's scope by assuming responsibilities
without adequate education is identified as misconduct. A provider's request
does not automatically expand an RN's scope.
3. Which statement best describes medication administration under South
Carolina nursing law?
A. Only physicians may administer medications
B. UAPs may routinely administer all medications after orientation
C. Medication administration includes preparing and giving medications
according to an authorized order and observing and reporting effects and
adverse reactions
D. Medication administration consists only of physically giving the drug
Answer: Medication administration includes preparing and giving medications
according to an authorized order and observing and reporting effects and
adverse reactions
Rationale: The statutory definition includes preparation and administration
according to drug, dose, route, and frequency, as well as observation, recording,
reporting, patient instruction, and recognition of complications.
, 4. An RN delegates routine vital-sign collection to a trained UAP. Who remains
responsible for the delegation and supervision?
A. The physician
B. The hospital administrator
C. The UAP
D. The RN
Answer: The RN
Rationale: South Carolina law places responsibility for delegation and
supervision of nursing tasks to UAPs on the RN, APRN, or LPN, as applicable.
5. Which task is specifically identified as potentially delegable to UAPs under
South Carolina law?
A. Initial nursing assessment
B. Independent nursing diagnosis
C. Taking vital signs
D. Developing the nursing plan of care
Answer: Taking vital signs
Rationale: South Carolina expressly identifies vital-sign measurement among
tasks that may be delegated and performed under supervision.
6. An RN delegates a task to a UAP who has never demonstrated competency
in that task. Which principle is most applicable?
A. Delegation transfers all legal responsibility to the UAP
B. Delegation is automatically valid if the patient consents
C. The RN must ensure that the person receiving the task is qualified and
adequately supervised
D. The employer assumes all responsibility
Answer: The RN must ensure that the person receiving the task is qualified and
adequately supervised
, Rationale: South Carolina law requires employers to verify training and
competency, while the licensed nurse is responsible for delegation and
supervision. Assigning unqualified persons or failing to supervise effectively can
constitute misconduct.
7. Which action could constitute misconduct by a South Carolina RN?
A. Seeking clarification of an unclear order
B. Reporting unsafe practice
C. Assigning an unqualified person to perform nursing care
D. Refusing an assignment that is outside the nurse's competence
Answer: Assigning an unqualified person to perform nursing care
Rationale: South Carolina identifies assigning unqualified persons to perform
nursing functions or failing to effectively supervise delegated functions as
misconduct.
8. A nurse discovers that another licensed nurse is repeatedly practicing
incompetently. What is the nurse's legal responsibility?
A. Ignore it unless a patient is injured
B. Discuss it only with coworkers
C. Report the incompetent or unprofessional practice to the appropriate
authority, including the Board when appropriate
D. Post a warning about the nurse on social media
Answer: Report the incompetent or unprofessional practice to the appropriate
authority, including the Board when appropriate
Rationale: Failure to report incompetent or unprofessional practice to
appropriate authorities, including the Board, is listed as misconduct.
9. Which action is most consistent with proper professional accountability
when an RN receives an assignment involving a procedure for which the RN
lacks adequate education?
