Nursing Jurisprudence
Practice Exam Questions and
Answers 2025
1. Which of the following best defines nursing jurisprudence?
A) The scientific study of nursing procedures
B) The legal rules and principles governing the practice of nursing
C) The ethical guidelines nurses follow in patient care
D) The clinical standards for nursing practice
Answer: B) The legal rules and principles governing the practice of nursing
Rationale: Nursing jurisprudence is the body of laws, rules, and
regulations that define and govern the practice of nursing. It ensures
nurses practice safely and within legal boundaries.
2. Which document outlines the scope and standards of nursing practice in a
given state?
A) Nurse Practice Act (NPA)
B) Patient Bill of Rights
C) American Nurses Association Code of Ethics
D) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Answer: A) Nurse Practice Act (NPA)
Rationale: The Nurse Practice Act is a state-specific law that defines the
,scope of nursing practice, licensure requirements, and disciplinary
actions. It is the legal foundation for nursing practice in each state.
3. A nurse administers medication without a physician’s order, and the patient
experiences harm. This is an example of:
A) Negligence
B) Malpractice
C) Assault
D) Battery
Answer: B) Malpractice
Rationale: Malpractice refers to professional negligence where a nurse
fails to meet the standard of care, causing harm. Administering
medication without an order breaches professional standards and is
malpractice.
4. A nurse refuses to provide care to a patient due to personal bias. Which legal
concept is the nurse violating?
A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Patient’s right to equal treatment
D) Confidentiality
Answer: C) Patient’s right to equal treatment
Rationale: Nurses must provide care without discrimination. Refusing
care based on personal bias violates the patient’s legal right to equal
treatment.
5. When a nurse fails to report suspected child abuse as required by law, the
nurse may be subject to:
A) Civil penalties only
B) Criminal penalties only
, C) Both civil and criminal penalties
D) No penalties if unintentional
Answer: C) Both civil and criminal penalties
Rationale: Mandatory reporting laws require nurses to report suspected
abuse. Failure to do so can result in both civil and criminal penalties
depending on jurisdiction.
6. What is informed consent?
A) The nurse’s permission to perform a procedure
B) The patient’s voluntary agreement to treatment after receiving
adequate information
C) The physician’s authorization for a nurse to provide care
D) The legal form signed by the patient on admission
Answer: B) The patient’s voluntary agreement to treatment after receiving
adequate information
Rationale: Informed consent means the patient understands the risks,
benefits, and alternatives of a procedure and agrees voluntarily. Nurses
assist by ensuring patients understand this information.
7. Which of the following is a nurse’s best action if they suspect a colleague is
practicing under the influence of alcohol?
A) Ignore the behavior to avoid conflict
B) Report the suspicion to the appropriate authority or supervisor
C) Confront the colleague in front of patients
D) Wait for the colleague to make a mistake before reporting
Answer: B) Report the suspicion to the appropriate authority or supervisor
Rationale: Nurses have a legal and ethical duty to protect patient safety
by reporting impaired practice to supervisors or appropriate authorities
promptly.
Practice Exam Questions and
Answers 2025
1. Which of the following best defines nursing jurisprudence?
A) The scientific study of nursing procedures
B) The legal rules and principles governing the practice of nursing
C) The ethical guidelines nurses follow in patient care
D) The clinical standards for nursing practice
Answer: B) The legal rules and principles governing the practice of nursing
Rationale: Nursing jurisprudence is the body of laws, rules, and
regulations that define and govern the practice of nursing. It ensures
nurses practice safely and within legal boundaries.
2. Which document outlines the scope and standards of nursing practice in a
given state?
A) Nurse Practice Act (NPA)
B) Patient Bill of Rights
C) American Nurses Association Code of Ethics
D) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Answer: A) Nurse Practice Act (NPA)
Rationale: The Nurse Practice Act is a state-specific law that defines the
,scope of nursing practice, licensure requirements, and disciplinary
actions. It is the legal foundation for nursing practice in each state.
3. A nurse administers medication without a physician’s order, and the patient
experiences harm. This is an example of:
A) Negligence
B) Malpractice
C) Assault
D) Battery
Answer: B) Malpractice
Rationale: Malpractice refers to professional negligence where a nurse
fails to meet the standard of care, causing harm. Administering
medication without an order breaches professional standards and is
malpractice.
4. A nurse refuses to provide care to a patient due to personal bias. Which legal
concept is the nurse violating?
A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Patient’s right to equal treatment
D) Confidentiality
Answer: C) Patient’s right to equal treatment
Rationale: Nurses must provide care without discrimination. Refusing
care based on personal bias violates the patient’s legal right to equal
treatment.
5. When a nurse fails to report suspected child abuse as required by law, the
nurse may be subject to:
A) Civil penalties only
B) Criminal penalties only
, C) Both civil and criminal penalties
D) No penalties if unintentional
Answer: C) Both civil and criminal penalties
Rationale: Mandatory reporting laws require nurses to report suspected
abuse. Failure to do so can result in both civil and criminal penalties
depending on jurisdiction.
6. What is informed consent?
A) The nurse’s permission to perform a procedure
B) The patient’s voluntary agreement to treatment after receiving
adequate information
C) The physician’s authorization for a nurse to provide care
D) The legal form signed by the patient on admission
Answer: B) The patient’s voluntary agreement to treatment after receiving
adequate information
Rationale: Informed consent means the patient understands the risks,
benefits, and alternatives of a procedure and agrees voluntarily. Nurses
assist by ensuring patients understand this information.
7. Which of the following is a nurse’s best action if they suspect a colleague is
practicing under the influence of alcohol?
A) Ignore the behavior to avoid conflict
B) Report the suspicion to the appropriate authority or supervisor
C) Confront the colleague in front of patients
D) Wait for the colleague to make a mistake before reporting
Answer: B) Report the suspicion to the appropriate authority or supervisor
Rationale: Nurses have a legal and ethical duty to protect patient safety
by reporting impaired practice to supervisors or appropriate authorities
promptly.
