TEST BANK FOR ETHICAL AND LEGAL
ISSUES IN CANADIAN NURSING 4TH EDITION
KEATINGS (CHAPTERS 1-12) LATEST
2025/2026 VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (GRADED A+)
Question 1
A Registered Nurse (RN) administers an intramuscular injection to an alert,
oriented patient who has repeatedly refused the medication. The injection
causes no physical injury or lasting harm. Under Canadian tort law, which
actionable wrong has the nurse committed?
A) Assault
B) Negligence
,C) Battery
D) False imprisonment
Verified Answer: C) Battery
Explanation: Battery is defined as any intentional, non-consensual physical
contact, even if it does not result in bodily harm. Because the patient explicitly
refused the treatment and the nurse proceeded to touch them physically with
the needle, battery was committed. Assault involves creating an apprehension
or fear of imminent harmful contact, whereas battery requires the actual
contact. Negligence requires proof of actual injury or harm, which is absent
here.
Question 2
During a busy night shift, an RN forgets to raise the side rails for an elderly
patient who is documented as a severe fall risk under the hospital’s protocol.
The patient falls out of bed and sustains a subdural hematoma. In a negligence
lawsuit, how is the nurse's failure to raise the side rails classified?
A) An intentional tort
B) A breach of the standard of care
C) Vicarious liability
D) Contributory negligence
Verified Answer: B) A breach of the standard of care
Explanation: A breach of the standard of care occurs when a nurse's
performance drops below the level expected of a reasonably prudent
practitioner in similar circumstances. Hospital protocols and care plans
establish this standard. Failing to follow a documented safety protocol for a
,high-risk patient is a direct breach. It is an unintentional tort (negligence),
not an intentional one.
Question 3
A 14-year-old youth seeks confidential medical assessment and treatment at a
clinic for an active sexually transmitted infection (STI). The youth demonstrates
a clear, comprehensive understanding of the treatment risks, benefits, and the
consequences of refusal. What legal doctrine protects this minor's right to
consent independently?
A) The doctrine of Parens Patriae
B) The legal guardian mandate
C) The mature minor doctrine
D) The statutory age of majority exemption
Verified Answer: C) The mature minor doctrine
Explanation: The mature minor doctrine in Canadian common law allows
adolescents under the statutory age of majority to consent to or refuse medical
treatments independently. This applies if they demonstrate the cognitive and
emotional capacity to understand the nature, risks, benefits, and alternatives
of the intervention. Age alone does not invalidate consent if capacity is
established.
Question 4
A nurse realizes that they administered a double dose of an antihypertensive
medication to a patient three hours ago. The patient's blood pressure is currently
, stable. To ensure professional and legal safety, how should the late entry be
documented in the paper chart?
A) Insert the entry in a blank space on the previous page to preserve
chronological order.
B) Chart the entry with the current time and date, label it clearly as a "Late
Entry," and state the exact time the medication was given.
C) Document the event using the time the medication was actually given to
avoid timeline confusion.
D) Wait until the end of the shift to add it to the summary note to minimize
visibility.
Verified Answer: B) Chart the entry with the current time and date, label it
clearly as a "Late Entry," and state the exact time the medication was given.
Explanation: Documenting a late entry requires entering the current date and
time first, clearly labeling the notation as a "Late Entry," and then indicating
the historical time the event took place. Backdating or wedging notes out of
order compromises the integrity of the medical record and is viewed legally as
falsification of documents.
Question 5
Under current Canadian federal legislation governing Medical Assistance in
Dying (MAID), which clinical action falls within the legal scope of practice for
a Registered Nurse who is not a Nurse Practitioner?
A) Writing the official prescription for the lethal substance
B) Performing the final eligibility assessment independently
C) Administering the lethal substance intravenously at the patient's request
ISSUES IN CANADIAN NURSING 4TH EDITION
KEATINGS (CHAPTERS 1-12) LATEST
2025/2026 VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (GRADED A+)
Question 1
A Registered Nurse (RN) administers an intramuscular injection to an alert,
oriented patient who has repeatedly refused the medication. The injection
causes no physical injury or lasting harm. Under Canadian tort law, which
actionable wrong has the nurse committed?
A) Assault
B) Negligence
,C) Battery
D) False imprisonment
Verified Answer: C) Battery
Explanation: Battery is defined as any intentional, non-consensual physical
contact, even if it does not result in bodily harm. Because the patient explicitly
refused the treatment and the nurse proceeded to touch them physically with
the needle, battery was committed. Assault involves creating an apprehension
or fear of imminent harmful contact, whereas battery requires the actual
contact. Negligence requires proof of actual injury or harm, which is absent
here.
Question 2
During a busy night shift, an RN forgets to raise the side rails for an elderly
patient who is documented as a severe fall risk under the hospital’s protocol.
The patient falls out of bed and sustains a subdural hematoma. In a negligence
lawsuit, how is the nurse's failure to raise the side rails classified?
A) An intentional tort
B) A breach of the standard of care
C) Vicarious liability
D) Contributory negligence
Verified Answer: B) A breach of the standard of care
Explanation: A breach of the standard of care occurs when a nurse's
performance drops below the level expected of a reasonably prudent
practitioner in similar circumstances. Hospital protocols and care plans
establish this standard. Failing to follow a documented safety protocol for a
,high-risk patient is a direct breach. It is an unintentional tort (negligence),
not an intentional one.
Question 3
A 14-year-old youth seeks confidential medical assessment and treatment at a
clinic for an active sexually transmitted infection (STI). The youth demonstrates
a clear, comprehensive understanding of the treatment risks, benefits, and the
consequences of refusal. What legal doctrine protects this minor's right to
consent independently?
A) The doctrine of Parens Patriae
B) The legal guardian mandate
C) The mature minor doctrine
D) The statutory age of majority exemption
Verified Answer: C) The mature minor doctrine
Explanation: The mature minor doctrine in Canadian common law allows
adolescents under the statutory age of majority to consent to or refuse medical
treatments independently. This applies if they demonstrate the cognitive and
emotional capacity to understand the nature, risks, benefits, and alternatives
of the intervention. Age alone does not invalidate consent if capacity is
established.
Question 4
A nurse realizes that they administered a double dose of an antihypertensive
medication to a patient three hours ago. The patient's blood pressure is currently
, stable. To ensure professional and legal safety, how should the late entry be
documented in the paper chart?
A) Insert the entry in a blank space on the previous page to preserve
chronological order.
B) Chart the entry with the current time and date, label it clearly as a "Late
Entry," and state the exact time the medication was given.
C) Document the event using the time the medication was actually given to
avoid timeline confusion.
D) Wait until the end of the shift to add it to the summary note to minimize
visibility.
Verified Answer: B) Chart the entry with the current time and date, label it
clearly as a "Late Entry," and state the exact time the medication was given.
Explanation: Documenting a late entry requires entering the current date and
time first, clearly labeling the notation as a "Late Entry," and then indicating
the historical time the event took place. Backdating or wedging notes out of
order compromises the integrity of the medical record and is viewed legally as
falsification of documents.
Question 5
Under current Canadian federal legislation governing Medical Assistance in
Dying (MAID), which clinical action falls within the legal scope of practice for
a Registered Nurse who is not a Nurse Practitioner?
A) Writing the official prescription for the lethal substance
B) Performing the final eligibility assessment independently
C) Administering the lethal substance intravenously at the patient's request
