Georgia Nursing Jurisprudence
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. A registered nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a prescribed blood
transfusion based on religious beliefs. The patient is alert, oriented, and has
been deemed competent to make healthcare decisions by the attending
physician. The nurse’s primary legal obligation is to:
A. Contact the hospital ethics committee to override the patient’s decision.
B. Administer the transfusion under the doctrine of implied consent to
preserve life.
C. Honor the patient’s refusal and document the decision and education
provided.
D. Notify the patient’s family to obtain their consent for the procedure.
Answer: C
Rationale: A competent adult patient has the legal and ethical right to refuse
medical treatment, even if that refusal may result in death. The Georgia Advance
Directive for Health Care Act and common law principles uphold patient
autonomy. The nurse must respect the refusal, provide thorough education about
the risks and benefits, and meticulously document the patient's decision and the
education given. Overriding a competent patient's refusal is battery and a
violation of their rights.
2. Under the Georgia Nurse Practice Act, which of the following actions
constitutes the unauthorized practice of nursing by a licensed practical
nurse (LPN)?
, A. Administering an oral medication to a stable patient.
B. Performing a focused assessment on a post-operative patient.
C. Developing the initial comprehensive plan of care for a newly admitted
patient.
D. Reinforcing teaching provided by the registered nurse regarding a new
diagnosis.
Answer: C
Rationale: The Georgia Nurse Practice Act and Board rules delineate that the
development of the initial comprehensive plan of care is the responsibility and
scope of the registered nurse (RN). The LPN's role is to implement the plan of care,
contribute to its revision, and collect data, but they are not authorized to establish
the initial comprehensive plan.
3. A nurse is charged with a misdemeanor for driving under the influence
(DUI) in Georgia. Which of the following is the nurse’s primary mandatory
reporting obligation to the Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON)?
A. Report the conviction to the GBON within 10 days of the conviction.
B. No reporting is required unless the charge is a felony.
C. Report the conviction to the GBON within 30 days of the conviction.
D. Report the charge to the GBON immediately upon arrest.
Answer: C
Rationale: According to Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 43-1-19) and Board rules, a
licensed nurse must report any conviction of a felony or any crime involving moral
turpitude to the GBON within 30 days of the conviction. A DUI is generally
considered a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature, often involving moral
turpitude, and thus triggers this reporting requirement.
4. In the context of delegation to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP), the
registered nurse is legally responsible for:
A. Ensuring the UAP has a current and valid nursing license.
B. Accepting the UAP's refusal to perform a delegated task without
question.
C. Supervising the UAP and evaluating the outcome of the delegated task.
, D. Delegating tasks that require independent nursing judgment to increase
efficiency.
Answer: C
Rationale: The RN retains ultimate responsibility and accountability for the
delegation of tasks. The RN must assess the patient's needs, determine the
appropriateness of the task for delegation, ensure the UAP is competent to
perform the task, provide clear directions, supervise the performance, and
evaluate the outcomes. Tasks requiring independent nursing judgment or complex
assessment must not be delegated.
5. A Georgia licensed nurse is applying for renewal of their license. The license
has been expired for less than one year. What is the most accurate
statement regarding the renewal process?
A. The nurse must reapply and retake the NCLEX examination.
B. The nurse can renew online without penalty but must pay a late fee.
C. The nurse must submit a new application and meet current requirements
for initial licensure.
D. The nurse may renew the license by paying the renewal fee and a late
penalty fee.
Answer: D
Rationale: The Georgia Board of Nursing allows for the renewal of an expired
license within a specific timeframe (up to one year) without requiring re-
examination. However, a late penalty fee is assessed in addition to the standard
renewal fee. If the license remains expired for more than one year, the nurse would
be required to reapply and meet current licensure requirements.
6. A patient is being discharged with a prescription for a controlled substance
(Schedule II). The nurse is reviewing the prescription with the patient.
Which action by the nurse is most appropriate under Georgia law?
A. Advise the patient that refills are permitted only if the prescription is
phoned in by the pharmacy.
B. Inform the patient that the prescription is valid for 30 days from the
date written.
, C. Explain that the prescription can be transferred to another pharmacy one
time only.
D. Instruct the patient that the prescription can be refilled with oral
authorization from the prescriber.
Answer: B
Rationale: In Georgia, prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances are valid
for 30 days from the date written. They cannot be refilled; a new prescription is
required for each fill. The nurse should educate the patient on this limitation to
ensure compliance and prevent misunderstandings regarding medication access.
7. A registered nurse discovers that a colleague is diverting narcotics from the
unit’s automated dispensing system. The nurse’s first and foremost legal
and ethical responsibility is to:
A. Confront the colleague privately to give them a chance to correct the
behavior.
B. Report the suspected diversion to the nurse manager or appropriate
supervisor.
C. Ignore the incident to protect the colleague’s professional reputation.
D. Document the suspicion in the colleague’s personnel file immediately.
Answer: B
Rationale: Reporting suspected diversion is a mandatory duty. Patient safety is
paramount, and the impaired nurse poses a risk to patients. The nurse has a legal
and ethical obligation to report to the supervisor or manager, who will then
initiate the appropriate internal and external reporting processes (e.g., to the
GBON and law enforcement).
8. Which of the following best describes the concept of "standard of care" as it
applies to nursing practice in Georgia?
A. A set of guidelines established by the American Nurses Association.
B. The minimum level of care that a reasonably prudent nurse would
provide in a similar situation.
C. The specific policies and procedures manual of the employing healthcare
facility.
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A registered nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a prescribed blood
transfusion based on religious beliefs. The patient is alert, oriented, and has
been deemed competent to make healthcare decisions by the attending
physician. The nurse’s primary legal obligation is to:
A. Contact the hospital ethics committee to override the patient’s decision.
B. Administer the transfusion under the doctrine of implied consent to
preserve life.
C. Honor the patient’s refusal and document the decision and education
provided.
D. Notify the patient’s family to obtain their consent for the procedure.
Answer: C
Rationale: A competent adult patient has the legal and ethical right to refuse
medical treatment, even if that refusal may result in death. The Georgia Advance
Directive for Health Care Act and common law principles uphold patient
autonomy. The nurse must respect the refusal, provide thorough education about
the risks and benefits, and meticulously document the patient's decision and the
education given. Overriding a competent patient's refusal is battery and a
violation of their rights.
2. Under the Georgia Nurse Practice Act, which of the following actions
constitutes the unauthorized practice of nursing by a licensed practical
nurse (LPN)?
, A. Administering an oral medication to a stable patient.
B. Performing a focused assessment on a post-operative patient.
C. Developing the initial comprehensive plan of care for a newly admitted
patient.
D. Reinforcing teaching provided by the registered nurse regarding a new
diagnosis.
Answer: C
Rationale: The Georgia Nurse Practice Act and Board rules delineate that the
development of the initial comprehensive plan of care is the responsibility and
scope of the registered nurse (RN). The LPN's role is to implement the plan of care,
contribute to its revision, and collect data, but they are not authorized to establish
the initial comprehensive plan.
3. A nurse is charged with a misdemeanor for driving under the influence
(DUI) in Georgia. Which of the following is the nurse’s primary mandatory
reporting obligation to the Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON)?
A. Report the conviction to the GBON within 10 days of the conviction.
B. No reporting is required unless the charge is a felony.
C. Report the conviction to the GBON within 30 days of the conviction.
D. Report the charge to the GBON immediately upon arrest.
Answer: C
Rationale: According to Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 43-1-19) and Board rules, a
licensed nurse must report any conviction of a felony or any crime involving moral
turpitude to the GBON within 30 days of the conviction. A DUI is generally
considered a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature, often involving moral
turpitude, and thus triggers this reporting requirement.
4. In the context of delegation to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP), the
registered nurse is legally responsible for:
A. Ensuring the UAP has a current and valid nursing license.
B. Accepting the UAP's refusal to perform a delegated task without
question.
C. Supervising the UAP and evaluating the outcome of the delegated task.
, D. Delegating tasks that require independent nursing judgment to increase
efficiency.
Answer: C
Rationale: The RN retains ultimate responsibility and accountability for the
delegation of tasks. The RN must assess the patient's needs, determine the
appropriateness of the task for delegation, ensure the UAP is competent to
perform the task, provide clear directions, supervise the performance, and
evaluate the outcomes. Tasks requiring independent nursing judgment or complex
assessment must not be delegated.
5. A Georgia licensed nurse is applying for renewal of their license. The license
has been expired for less than one year. What is the most accurate
statement regarding the renewal process?
A. The nurse must reapply and retake the NCLEX examination.
B. The nurse can renew online without penalty but must pay a late fee.
C. The nurse must submit a new application and meet current requirements
for initial licensure.
D. The nurse may renew the license by paying the renewal fee and a late
penalty fee.
Answer: D
Rationale: The Georgia Board of Nursing allows for the renewal of an expired
license within a specific timeframe (up to one year) without requiring re-
examination. However, a late penalty fee is assessed in addition to the standard
renewal fee. If the license remains expired for more than one year, the nurse would
be required to reapply and meet current licensure requirements.
6. A patient is being discharged with a prescription for a controlled substance
(Schedule II). The nurse is reviewing the prescription with the patient.
Which action by the nurse is most appropriate under Georgia law?
A. Advise the patient that refills are permitted only if the prescription is
phoned in by the pharmacy.
B. Inform the patient that the prescription is valid for 30 days from the
date written.
, C. Explain that the prescription can be transferred to another pharmacy one
time only.
D. Instruct the patient that the prescription can be refilled with oral
authorization from the prescriber.
Answer: B
Rationale: In Georgia, prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances are valid
for 30 days from the date written. They cannot be refilled; a new prescription is
required for each fill. The nurse should educate the patient on this limitation to
ensure compliance and prevent misunderstandings regarding medication access.
7. A registered nurse discovers that a colleague is diverting narcotics from the
unit’s automated dispensing system. The nurse’s first and foremost legal
and ethical responsibility is to:
A. Confront the colleague privately to give them a chance to correct the
behavior.
B. Report the suspected diversion to the nurse manager or appropriate
supervisor.
C. Ignore the incident to protect the colleague’s professional reputation.
D. Document the suspicion in the colleague’s personnel file immediately.
Answer: B
Rationale: Reporting suspected diversion is a mandatory duty. Patient safety is
paramount, and the impaired nurse poses a risk to patients. The nurse has a legal
and ethical obligation to report to the supervisor or manager, who will then
initiate the appropriate internal and external reporting processes (e.g., to the
GBON and law enforcement).
8. Which of the following best describes the concept of "standard of care" as it
applies to nursing practice in Georgia?
A. A set of guidelines established by the American Nurses Association.
B. The minimum level of care that a reasonably prudent nurse would
provide in a similar situation.
C. The specific policies and procedures manual of the employing healthcare
facility.
