PNU 116 PrepU Chapter 7: Legal Dimensions of
Nursing Practice questions with verified answers
A client admitted to a mental health unit has exhibited physical
behaviors that put the client and others at risk. The nurse applies four-
point restraints on the client without obtaining a physician's order or
the client's consent. The nurse is at risk of being accused of which
action? Ans✓✓✓ Battery
A client being discharged from the hospital asks the nurse, "When I go
visit my family out of state, should I take my living will with me, or do I
need a new one for that state?" Which is the mostappropriate response
by the nurse? Ans✓✓✓ "Take it with you. It is recognized universally in
the United States."
A client has a prescription for amoxicillin 500 mg P.O. every 8 hours.
The nurse administers the medication via the intravenous route. Based
on the nurse's action, the client develops complications and has an
increased length of stay. The client files a lawsuit against the facility and
the nurse. Which legal action has the nurse's attorney identified that
meets the criteria for the client's lawsuit? Ans✓✓✓ Malpractice
A client has a prescription for amoxicillin 500 mg P.O. every 8 hours.
The nurse administers the medication via the intravenous route. Based
on the nurse's action, the client develops complications and has an
increased length of stay. The client files a lawsuit against the facility and
the nurse. Which legal action has the nurse's attorney identified that
meets the criteria for the client's lawsuit? Ans✓✓✓ Malpractice
,A client has asked that a nurse witness the signing of the clieint's will.
What should the nurse do prior to witnessing this signature? Select all
that apply. Ans✓✓✓ Check to see whether state laws allow the nurse
to witness this signature.
Assess the client's state of mind.
Review the client's medical record.
Talk to the client about why the client is signing the will now.
A client is being prepared for an elective surgical procedure and the
consent form has not been signed. Who should the nurse have obtain
consent for the procedure? Ans✓✓✓ The health care provider
performing the surgical procedure
A client is brought to the emergency department in an unconscious
state with a head injury. The client requires surgery to remove a blood
clot. What would be the appropriate nursing intervention in keeping
with the policy of informed consent prior to a surgical procedure?
Ans✓✓✓ The nurse ensures that the client's family signs the consent
form.
A client is scheduled for a colonoscopy. The nurse realizes immediately
after administering medications to induce conscious sedation that the
client has not signed the informed consent. If the nurse has the client
sign the informed consent at this point, which element of informed
consent would be violated? Ans✓✓✓ Competence
, A client newly diagnosed with congestive heart failure has a
prescription for digoxin. The nurse counts the heart rate before
administration of the medication and obtains a heart rate of 51 beats
per minute. Which action by the nurse demonstrates adherence to the
standards of nursing care? Ans✓✓✓ The nurse withholds the
medication and notifies the health care practitioner.
A client states that the client's recent fall was caused by his scheduled
antihypertensive medications being mistakenly administered by two
different nurses, an event that is disputed by both of the nurses
identified by the client. Which measure should the nurses prioritize
when anticipating that legal action may follow? Ans✓✓✓ Document
the client's claims and the events surrounding the alleged incident.
A client who is scheduled for hernioplasty needs clarification regarding
the procedure. The nurse calls the physician at the client's insistence.
The physician, who is in a bad mood, is overheard telling the client that
the nurse does not know anything. Which legal tort has the physician
committed? Ans✓✓✓ Slander
A client with end-stage renal disease decides against further treatment
and requests a "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) order. The DNR status is
part of the change-of-shift report. The client stops breathing and a
nurse begins cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The family is upset and
makes a complaint to the charge nurse. The charge nurse appropriately
identifies that nurse has committed: Ans✓✓✓ battery,
Nursing Practice questions with verified answers
A client admitted to a mental health unit has exhibited physical
behaviors that put the client and others at risk. The nurse applies four-
point restraints on the client without obtaining a physician's order or
the client's consent. The nurse is at risk of being accused of which
action? Ans✓✓✓ Battery
A client being discharged from the hospital asks the nurse, "When I go
visit my family out of state, should I take my living will with me, or do I
need a new one for that state?" Which is the mostappropriate response
by the nurse? Ans✓✓✓ "Take it with you. It is recognized universally in
the United States."
A client has a prescription for amoxicillin 500 mg P.O. every 8 hours.
The nurse administers the medication via the intravenous route. Based
on the nurse's action, the client develops complications and has an
increased length of stay. The client files a lawsuit against the facility and
the nurse. Which legal action has the nurse's attorney identified that
meets the criteria for the client's lawsuit? Ans✓✓✓ Malpractice
A client has a prescription for amoxicillin 500 mg P.O. every 8 hours.
The nurse administers the medication via the intravenous route. Based
on the nurse's action, the client develops complications and has an
increased length of stay. The client files a lawsuit against the facility and
the nurse. Which legal action has the nurse's attorney identified that
meets the criteria for the client's lawsuit? Ans✓✓✓ Malpractice
,A client has asked that a nurse witness the signing of the clieint's will.
What should the nurse do prior to witnessing this signature? Select all
that apply. Ans✓✓✓ Check to see whether state laws allow the nurse
to witness this signature.
Assess the client's state of mind.
Review the client's medical record.
Talk to the client about why the client is signing the will now.
A client is being prepared for an elective surgical procedure and the
consent form has not been signed. Who should the nurse have obtain
consent for the procedure? Ans✓✓✓ The health care provider
performing the surgical procedure
A client is brought to the emergency department in an unconscious
state with a head injury. The client requires surgery to remove a blood
clot. What would be the appropriate nursing intervention in keeping
with the policy of informed consent prior to a surgical procedure?
Ans✓✓✓ The nurse ensures that the client's family signs the consent
form.
A client is scheduled for a colonoscopy. The nurse realizes immediately
after administering medications to induce conscious sedation that the
client has not signed the informed consent. If the nurse has the client
sign the informed consent at this point, which element of informed
consent would be violated? Ans✓✓✓ Competence
, A client newly diagnosed with congestive heart failure has a
prescription for digoxin. The nurse counts the heart rate before
administration of the medication and obtains a heart rate of 51 beats
per minute. Which action by the nurse demonstrates adherence to the
standards of nursing care? Ans✓✓✓ The nurse withholds the
medication and notifies the health care practitioner.
A client states that the client's recent fall was caused by his scheduled
antihypertensive medications being mistakenly administered by two
different nurses, an event that is disputed by both of the nurses
identified by the client. Which measure should the nurses prioritize
when anticipating that legal action may follow? Ans✓✓✓ Document
the client's claims and the events surrounding the alleged incident.
A client who is scheduled for hernioplasty needs clarification regarding
the procedure. The nurse calls the physician at the client's insistence.
The physician, who is in a bad mood, is overheard telling the client that
the nurse does not know anything. Which legal tort has the physician
committed? Ans✓✓✓ Slander
A client with end-stage renal disease decides against further treatment
and requests a "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) order. The DNR status is
part of the change-of-shift report. The client stops breathing and a
nurse begins cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The family is upset and
makes a complaint to the charge nurse. The charge nurse appropriately
identifies that nurse has committed: Ans✓✓✓ battery,
