Louisiana Nursing Jurisprudence
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A registered nurse (RN) in Louisiana is notified by a patient that they wish to
invoke their right to execute a "living will." Under Louisiana law, what is the
most critical initial responsibility of the nurse regarding this directive?
A. Immediately contact the hospital's legal department to verify the
document's validity.
B. Place the original document in the patient's medical record and
document the patient's wishes.
C. Ensure the document is witnessed by two non-family members and
notarized.
D. Inform the patient that such a directive is only valid if the patient is
terminally ill.
Answer: B
*Rationale: Under the Louisiana Natural Death Act, a nurse's primary duty
upon being presented with a living will is to ensure it is placed in the
patient's medical record and to document the patient's expressed wishes.
While legal departments may be involved, the nurse's immediate action is to
make the directive part of the patient's permanent record to guide care.
2. A licensed practical nurse (LPN) is asked by an RN to administer a
continuous IV infusion of a vasoactive medication that requires titration
based on blood pressure parameters. What is the LPN's best legal action?
A. Administer the medication as ordered, as the RN is delegating a task
within the LPN's scope.
, B. Refuse to administer the medication and report the RN to the Louisiana
State Board of Nursing (LSBN).
C. Accept the assignment but only monitor the infusion rate without
titrating.
D. Clarify the scope of practice and inform the RN that this task exceeds LPN
practice.
Answer: D
*Rationale: Louisiana state law and the LSBN define the scope of practice
for LPNs. The administration of IV push medications and the titration of
vasoactive or continuous IV infusions are generally outside the LPN scope of
practice and are considered advanced nursing skills. The LPN must refuse
the assignment and clarify with the RN.
3. The Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) receives a complaint regarding
a nurse's impairment due to substance abuse. The Board initiates an
investigation. Which statement best describes the nurse's rights during this
process?
A. The nurse has no rights until a formal hearing is scheduled.
B. The nurse has the right to be represented by legal counsel at all stages of
the investigation.
C. The nurse has the right to a jury trial before the Board can take action.
D. The nurse has the right to continued practice without restriction until the
investigation is complete.
Answer: B
*Rationale: Nurses under investigation by the LSBN have the right to due
process, which includes the right to be represented by legal counsel
throughout the investigative and disciplinary process. This ensures the
nurse's rights are protected while the Board conducts its statutory duty to
protect the public.
4. A nurse is caring for a post-operative patient who refuses to get out of bed
and states, "I am not going to do this. I want to go home." The nurse
documents the refusal and continues to assess the patient. This action best
demonstrates the nurse's understanding of which legal and ethical
, principle?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Paternalism
D. Autonomy
Answer: D
*Rationale: The principle of autonomy supports the patient's right to self-
determination and to refuse treatment or interventions. By respecting the
patient's refusal and documenting it, the nurse upholds the patient's
autonomy, provided the patient has been properly informed of the risks and
consequences of refusal.
5. The LSBN has the authority to deny, revoke, or suspend a nursing license in
Louisiana. Which of the following actions would most likely lead to
disciplinary action against a nurse?
A. Failing to document a patient's request for a pain medication.
B. Charting that a patient's vital signs were assessed when the assessment
was missed.
C. Delegating a task to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) who is
competent.
D. Requesting a copy of the nurse's own personnel file from the employer.
Answer: B
*Rationale: Falsifying patient records, such as charting assessments that
were not performed, is a severe breach of professional ethics and the law.
This constitutes fraud and grounds for disciplinary action by the LSBN, as it
violates the Nurse Practice Act and standards of professional conduct.
6. A nurse working in a psychiatric facility is served with a subpoena duces
tecum regarding a patient's medical records. What is the nurse's initial legal
obligation?
A. Immediately provide the records to the issuing court.
B. Contact the facility's risk manager or legal counsel for guidance.
C. Inform the patient's family of the subpoena.
D. Refuse to produce the records citing patient confidentiality.
, Answer: B
*Rationale: A subpoena duces tecum is a court order to produce documents.
The nurse should not release records independently, as this could violate
HIPAA and state privacy laws. The appropriate action is to notify the
facility's legal department or risk manager, who will ensure the response is
handled legally, often by obtaining a court order or the patient's consent.
7. Which statement correctly describes the requirements for continuing
education (CE) for relicensure for an RN in Louisiana?
A. All RNs must complete 30 contact hours of CE every two years.
B. RNs are not required to complete CE if they are certified by a national
specialty nursing organization.
C. LPNs and RNs have the exact same CE requirements.
D. CE requirements are waived for nurses who retire but maintain an
inactive license.
Answer: A
*Rationale: The LSBN mandates that all RNs and LPNs complete a minimum
of 30 contact hours of approved continuing education every two years for
license renewal. Specific requirements may vary, but this is the standard
baseline requirement for active licensure.
8. A nurse is named as a defendant in a malpractice lawsuit. The plaintiff's
attorney is deposing the nurse. The nurse's best defense is to:
A. Testify that the standard of care was met and that the nurse did
everything possible.
B. Answer all questions truthfully and concisely, without volunteering
information.
C. Deflect questions by stating that the doctor is ultimately responsible.
D. State that the nurse cannot recall any of the events in question.
Answer: B
*Rationale: In a deposition, the nurse's best strategy is to provide truthful
and concise answers to the questions asked, without adding extra
information. Volunteering information can create new avenues for the
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A registered nurse (RN) in Louisiana is notified by a patient that they wish to
invoke their right to execute a "living will." Under Louisiana law, what is the
most critical initial responsibility of the nurse regarding this directive?
A. Immediately contact the hospital's legal department to verify the
document's validity.
B. Place the original document in the patient's medical record and
document the patient's wishes.
C. Ensure the document is witnessed by two non-family members and
notarized.
D. Inform the patient that such a directive is only valid if the patient is
terminally ill.
Answer: B
*Rationale: Under the Louisiana Natural Death Act, a nurse's primary duty
upon being presented with a living will is to ensure it is placed in the
patient's medical record and to document the patient's expressed wishes.
While legal departments may be involved, the nurse's immediate action is to
make the directive part of the patient's permanent record to guide care.
2. A licensed practical nurse (LPN) is asked by an RN to administer a
continuous IV infusion of a vasoactive medication that requires titration
based on blood pressure parameters. What is the LPN's best legal action?
A. Administer the medication as ordered, as the RN is delegating a task
within the LPN's scope.
, B. Refuse to administer the medication and report the RN to the Louisiana
State Board of Nursing (LSBN).
C. Accept the assignment but only monitor the infusion rate without
titrating.
D. Clarify the scope of practice and inform the RN that this task exceeds LPN
practice.
Answer: D
*Rationale: Louisiana state law and the LSBN define the scope of practice
for LPNs. The administration of IV push medications and the titration of
vasoactive or continuous IV infusions are generally outside the LPN scope of
practice and are considered advanced nursing skills. The LPN must refuse
the assignment and clarify with the RN.
3. The Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) receives a complaint regarding
a nurse's impairment due to substance abuse. The Board initiates an
investigation. Which statement best describes the nurse's rights during this
process?
A. The nurse has no rights until a formal hearing is scheduled.
B. The nurse has the right to be represented by legal counsel at all stages of
the investigation.
C. The nurse has the right to a jury trial before the Board can take action.
D. The nurse has the right to continued practice without restriction until the
investigation is complete.
Answer: B
*Rationale: Nurses under investigation by the LSBN have the right to due
process, which includes the right to be represented by legal counsel
throughout the investigative and disciplinary process. This ensures the
nurse's rights are protected while the Board conducts its statutory duty to
protect the public.
4. A nurse is caring for a post-operative patient who refuses to get out of bed
and states, "I am not going to do this. I want to go home." The nurse
documents the refusal and continues to assess the patient. This action best
demonstrates the nurse's understanding of which legal and ethical
, principle?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Paternalism
D. Autonomy
Answer: D
*Rationale: The principle of autonomy supports the patient's right to self-
determination and to refuse treatment or interventions. By respecting the
patient's refusal and documenting it, the nurse upholds the patient's
autonomy, provided the patient has been properly informed of the risks and
consequences of refusal.
5. The LSBN has the authority to deny, revoke, or suspend a nursing license in
Louisiana. Which of the following actions would most likely lead to
disciplinary action against a nurse?
A. Failing to document a patient's request for a pain medication.
B. Charting that a patient's vital signs were assessed when the assessment
was missed.
C. Delegating a task to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) who is
competent.
D. Requesting a copy of the nurse's own personnel file from the employer.
Answer: B
*Rationale: Falsifying patient records, such as charting assessments that
were not performed, is a severe breach of professional ethics and the law.
This constitutes fraud and grounds for disciplinary action by the LSBN, as it
violates the Nurse Practice Act and standards of professional conduct.
6. A nurse working in a psychiatric facility is served with a subpoena duces
tecum regarding a patient's medical records. What is the nurse's initial legal
obligation?
A. Immediately provide the records to the issuing court.
B. Contact the facility's risk manager or legal counsel for guidance.
C. Inform the patient's family of the subpoena.
D. Refuse to produce the records citing patient confidentiality.
, Answer: B
*Rationale: A subpoena duces tecum is a court order to produce documents.
The nurse should not release records independently, as this could violate
HIPAA and state privacy laws. The appropriate action is to notify the
facility's legal department or risk manager, who will ensure the response is
handled legally, often by obtaining a court order or the patient's consent.
7. Which statement correctly describes the requirements for continuing
education (CE) for relicensure for an RN in Louisiana?
A. All RNs must complete 30 contact hours of CE every two years.
B. RNs are not required to complete CE if they are certified by a national
specialty nursing organization.
C. LPNs and RNs have the exact same CE requirements.
D. CE requirements are waived for nurses who retire but maintain an
inactive license.
Answer: A
*Rationale: The LSBN mandates that all RNs and LPNs complete a minimum
of 30 contact hours of approved continuing education every two years for
license renewal. Specific requirements may vary, but this is the standard
baseline requirement for active licensure.
8. A nurse is named as a defendant in a malpractice lawsuit. The plaintiff's
attorney is deposing the nurse. The nurse's best defense is to:
A. Testify that the standard of care was met and that the nurse did
everything possible.
B. Answer all questions truthfully and concisely, without volunteering
information.
C. Deflect questions by stating that the doctor is ultimately responsible.
D. State that the nurse cannot recall any of the events in question.
Answer: B
*Rationale: In a deposition, the nurse's best strategy is to provide truthful
and concise answers to the questions asked, without adding extra
information. Volunteering information can create new avenues for the
