Med Surg 3 Exam 1 with Verified Answers Graded A+
1. A client is referred to a surgeon by the healthcare provider. After meeting
with the surgeon, the client decides to consult with a different surgeon about
treatment options. The nurse supports the client's action, utilizing which eth-
ical principle?: Autonomy
Autonomy is the right of individuals to take action for themselves
2. A nurse forgets to administer a dose of a client's diuretic drug and the client
experiences an episode of pulmonary edema. The nurse should consider
that this error constitutes negligence because the situation contains which
element?: Unintentional failure to perform a healthcare procedure
Negligence is the unintentional failure of an individual to perform or not perform
an act that a reasonable person would or would not do in the same or similar
circumstances.
3. A client asks why a diagnostic test has been prescribed and the nurse
replies, "I'm unsure but will find out for you." When the nurse later returns and
provides an explanation, the nurse is acting under which principle?: Fidelity
Fidelity means being faithful to agreements and promises. This nurse is acting on
the client's behalf to obtain needed information and report it back to the client
4. An individual falls and fractures a hip while walking down the street. A
companion notices a nurse drive past without stopping to assist. The indi-
vidual sues the nurse for negligence but fails to win a judgement for which
reason?: The nurse had no duty to the individual
To be guilty of negligence, the nurse must have a relationship with the client that
involves a duty to provide care
5. A client who is taking warfarin is given aspirin for a headache while visiting
a neighbor, who is a nurse. The client subsequently has a bleeding episode
caused by interaction of these drugs. The legal nurse consultant interprets
which necessary elements of malpractice are missing from this case? Select
all that apply: Duty owed
Intent to cause harm or injury
There was no nurse-client relationship because the nurse was acting as a neighbor
and not in an employment capacity. Thus, there can be no duty owed.
6. 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
, Med Surg 3 Exam 1 with Verified Answers Graded A+
principle?: Autonomy
Autonomy refers to the right to make one's own decisions, which is the principle
supported in this situation
7. The healthcare provider prescribes a medication in a dose that is consid-
ered 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: 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
8. 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: 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
9. A staff nurse concerned about maintaining client
confidentiality would take which action while carrying out
assigned duties?: 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
10. The nurse working in an acute care environment would utilize which strate-
gies to reduce the risk of malpractice litigation? Select all that apply: 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
, Med Surg 3 Exam 1 with Verified Answers Graded A+
could later lead to charges of malpractice. Thus, reporting such situations so they
can be prevented should be beneficial.
11. Unintentional torts: Negligence and malpractice
12. Intentional torts: Assault and battery, invasion of privacy (false imprisonment,
exposure of a person, defamation), fraud
13. What types of procedures should be assigned to professional nurses?: -
Sterile or invasive procedures
14. Negligence is measured by reasonableness. What question might the
nurse ask when determining such reasonableness?: Would a reasonable and
prudent nurse act in the same manner under the same circumstances?
15. List the four elements that are necessary to prove malpractice (profession-
al negligence): 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
16. Define an intentional tort, and give one example: 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
17. Differentiate between voluntary and involuntary admission:
18. List five activities a person who is declared incompetent cannot perform-
: Vote
Make contracts or wills
Drive a car
Sue or be sued
Hold a professional license
19. Name three legal requirements of a surgical permit: Voluntary, informed,
written
20. Who may give consent for medical treatment?: Alert, coherent, or otherwise
competent adults; a parent or legal guardian; a person in loco parentis of minors or
incompetent adults
21. What law protects the nurse who provides care or gives aid in an emer-
gency situation?: The Good Samaritan Act
22. What actions should the nurse take if he or she questions a health care
provider's prescription- that is, believes the prescription is wrong?:
23. Describe the nurse's legal responsibility when asked to perform a task for
which he or she is unprepared.:
24. Describe nursing care of the restrained client:
1. A client is referred to a surgeon by the healthcare provider. After meeting
with the surgeon, the client decides to consult with a different surgeon about
treatment options. The nurse supports the client's action, utilizing which eth-
ical principle?: Autonomy
Autonomy is the right of individuals to take action for themselves
2. A nurse forgets to administer a dose of a client's diuretic drug and the client
experiences an episode of pulmonary edema. The nurse should consider
that this error constitutes negligence because the situation contains which
element?: Unintentional failure to perform a healthcare procedure
Negligence is the unintentional failure of an individual to perform or not perform
an act that a reasonable person would or would not do in the same or similar
circumstances.
3. A client asks why a diagnostic test has been prescribed and the nurse
replies, "I'm unsure but will find out for you." When the nurse later returns and
provides an explanation, the nurse is acting under which principle?: Fidelity
Fidelity means being faithful to agreements and promises. This nurse is acting on
the client's behalf to obtain needed information and report it back to the client
4. An individual falls and fractures a hip while walking down the street. A
companion notices a nurse drive past without stopping to assist. The indi-
vidual sues the nurse for negligence but fails to win a judgement for which
reason?: The nurse had no duty to the individual
To be guilty of negligence, the nurse must have a relationship with the client that
involves a duty to provide care
5. A client who is taking warfarin is given aspirin for a headache while visiting
a neighbor, who is a nurse. The client subsequently has a bleeding episode
caused by interaction of these drugs. The legal nurse consultant interprets
which necessary elements of malpractice are missing from this case? Select
all that apply: Duty owed
Intent to cause harm or injury
There was no nurse-client relationship because the nurse was acting as a neighbor
and not in an employment capacity. Thus, there can be no duty owed.
6. 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
, Med Surg 3 Exam 1 with Verified Answers Graded A+
principle?: Autonomy
Autonomy refers to the right to make one's own decisions, which is the principle
supported in this situation
7. The healthcare provider prescribes a medication in a dose that is consid-
ered 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: 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
8. 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: 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
9. A staff nurse concerned about maintaining client
confidentiality would take which action while carrying out
assigned duties?: 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
10. The nurse working in an acute care environment would utilize which strate-
gies to reduce the risk of malpractice litigation? Select all that apply: 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
, Med Surg 3 Exam 1 with Verified Answers Graded A+
could later lead to charges of malpractice. Thus, reporting such situations so they
can be prevented should be beneficial.
11. Unintentional torts: Negligence and malpractice
12. Intentional torts: Assault and battery, invasion of privacy (false imprisonment,
exposure of a person, defamation), fraud
13. What types of procedures should be assigned to professional nurses?: -
Sterile or invasive procedures
14. Negligence is measured by reasonableness. What question might the
nurse ask when determining such reasonableness?: Would a reasonable and
prudent nurse act in the same manner under the same circumstances?
15. List the four elements that are necessary to prove malpractice (profession-
al negligence): 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
16. Define an intentional tort, and give one example: 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
17. Differentiate between voluntary and involuntary admission:
18. List five activities a person who is declared incompetent cannot perform-
: Vote
Make contracts or wills
Drive a car
Sue or be sued
Hold a professional license
19. Name three legal requirements of a surgical permit: Voluntary, informed,
written
20. Who may give consent for medical treatment?: Alert, coherent, or otherwise
competent adults; a parent or legal guardian; a person in loco parentis of minors or
incompetent adults
21. What law protects the nurse who provides care or gives aid in an emer-
gency situation?: The Good Samaritan Act
22. What actions should the nurse take if he or she questions a health care
provider's prescription- that is, believes the prescription is wrong?:
23. Describe the nurse's legal responsibility when asked to perform a task for
which he or she is unprepared.:
24. Describe nursing care of the restrained client:
