Med Surg 3-Exam 1-Questions from Quizzes 2024/2025

Med Surg 3-Exam 1-Questions from Quizzes A client with cancer has decided to discontinue further treatment. Although the nurse would like the client to continue treatment, the nurse recognizes the client is competent and supports the client's decision using which ethical principle? - ANSWER Autonomy Autonomy refers to the right to make one's own decisions, which is the principle supported in this situation The healthcare provider prescribes a medication in a dose that is considered toxic. The nurse administers the medication to the client, who later suffers a cardiac arrest and dies. What consequence can the nurse expect from this situation. Select all that apply - ANSWER The healthcare provider who prescribed the drug can be charged with negligence The nurse can be charged with negligence for administering the toxic dose Healthcare providers who prescribe incorrect dosages of medications are liable for their errors. The nurse is open to a charge of negligency for failing to verify and question the incorrect dose A nurse and teacher are discussing legal issues related to the practice of their professions. The teacher asks about the functions of the Nurse Practice Act (NPA). The nurse should include which elements in a response? Select all that apply - ANSWER Protect the public Define the scope of nursing practice A NPA serves to protect the public by setting minimum qualifications for nursing in relation to skills and competencies. One way it fulfills responsibility to protect the public is by defining the scope of nursing practice in that state or province A staff nurse concerned about maintaining client confidentiality would take which action while carrying out assigned duties? - ANSWER Share information about the client with those directly involved in that client's care Client confidentiality is maintained when the nurse shares client information only with those currently involved in the plan of care The nurse working in an acute care environment would utilize which strategies to reduce the risk of malpractice litigation? Select all that apply - ANSWER Maintain expertise in practice Report unsafe staffing levels to supervisor Maintaining expertise in practice by maintaining up to date knowledge and skills aids in reducing the risk of malpractice claims by fostering continued competence in practice. Unsafe staffing levels can result in a higher incidence rate of errors, which could later lead to charges of malpractice. Thus, reporting such situations so they can be prevented should be beneficial. Unintentional torts - ANSWER Negligence and malpractice Intentional torts - ANSWER Assault and battery, invasion of privacy (false imprisonment, exposure of a person, defamation), fraud What types of procedures should be assigned to professional nurses? - ANSWER Sterile or invasive procedures Negligence is measured by reasonableness. What question might the nurse ask when determining such reasonableness? - ANSWER Would a reasonable and prudent nurse act in the same manner under the same circumstances? List the four elements that are necessary to prove malpractice (professional negligence) - ANSWER Duty: failure to protect client against unreasonable risk Breach of duty: failure to perform according to established standards Causation: a connection exists between conduct of the nurse and the resulting damage Damages: damage is done to the client, whether physical or mental Define an intentional tort, and give one example - ANSWER Conduct causing damage to another person in a willful or intentional way without just cause. Example: hitting a client out of anger, not in a manner of self-protection Differentiate between voluntary and involuntary admission - ANSWER