Practice Questions & Rationalized Answers (5th Edition,
Melnyk) – PDF Exam Questions And Answers/Verified
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A nurse, while off-duty, tells the physiotherapist that a client who was
admitted to the nursing unit contracted AIDS due to exposure to sex
workers at the age of 18. The client discovers that the nurse has
revealed the information to the physiotherapist. With what legal action
could the nurse be charged?
a) Libel
b) Slander
c) Negligence
d) Malpractice - ANSWER -b--slander is spoken false statements
libel is PUBLISHED false statements
Nurses complete incident reports as dictated by the agency protocol.
What is the primary reason nurses fill out an incident report?
a) To document everyday occurrences
b) To document the need for disciplinary action
c) To improve quality of care
d) To initiate litigation - ANSWER -c
pg. 1
,During a nursing shift, which events warrant completion of an incident
report? Select all that apply.
a) A nurse reports that a client is crying and distraught over a diagnosis
of metastatic cancer.
b) An intravenous antibiotic was administered 2 hours late because the
IV site infiltrated.
c) A visitor slipped and fell in the hallway, but was not injured.
d) A client falls while being transferred from the bed to the chair.
e) A registered nurse asks an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to
feed a client. - ANSWER -c,d
A nurse and the facility have been named as defendants in a
malpractice lawsuit. In addition to the nurse's attorney, whom else
would be appropriate for the nurse to talk with about the case?
a) A colleague
b) The agency's risk manager
c) The plaintiff's lawyer
d) The local press - ANSWER -b
A physician is called to see a client with angina. During the visit the
physician advises the nurse to decrease the dosage of atenolol to 12.5
mg. However, because the physician is late for another visit, the
physician requests that the nurse write down the order for the
physician. What should be the appropriate nursing action in this
situation?
pg. 2
,a) The nurse should ask the physician to come back and write the order.
b) The nurse should write the order and implement it.
c) The nurse should inform the client of the change in medication.
d) The nurse should remind the physician later to write the work order. -
ANSWER -a
Which scenario is an example of certification?
a) A nurse who demonstrates advanced expertise in a content area of
nursing through special testing
b) A graduate of a nursing education program who passes NCLEX-RN
c) An education program that meets standards of the National League
for Nursing
d) A hospital that meets the standards of the Joint Commission -
ANSWER -a
A nurse enters the client's room and finds the client lying on the floor
experiencing a seizure. After stabilizing the client, the nurse informs the
physician. The physician advises the nurse to prepare an incident
report. What is the purpose of an incident report?
a) To determine the nurse's fault in the incident
b) To evaluate the quality of care provided and assess the potential risks
for injury to the client
c) To provide information to local, state, and federal agencies
d) To evaluate the immediate care provided by the nurse to the client -
ANSWER -b
pg. 3
, A nurse asks a coworker about the condition of the nurse's next-door
neighbor, who has been admitted to the unit. If the coworker shares the
neighbor's client information with the nurse, the coworker could be
held liable for committing which act?
a) Invasion of privacy
b) Negligence
c) Assault
d) Defamation of character - ANSWER -a
A nurse is caring for a client following endotracheal intubation. Before
applying soft wrist restraints to prevent the client from pulling out the
endotracheal tube, what is the most appropriate action of the nurse?
a) Sedate the client.
b) Get written consent.
c) Obtain a medical order.
d) Notify the family. - ANSWER -c
A client was admitted to a postoperative nursing unit after undergoing
abdominal surgery. During this time, the nurse failed to recognize the
significance of abdominal swelling, which significantly increased during
the next 6 hours. Later, the client had to undergo emergency surgery.
The lack of action on the nurse's part is liable for action. Which legal
term describes the case?
a) Misdemeanor
pg. 4