Professional & Legal Issues for Nurse Practitioners
– Full Solved Test Bank Download (150 Questions
Answers And Rationale:2025/2026)
1. Which of the following best describes the scope of practice for a
nurse practitioner?
A. Providing care only under direct physician supervision
B. Independently diagnosing and treating patients within state
regulations
C. Performing surgery independently
D. Prescribing medications without any regulatory oversight
B. Independently diagnosing and treating patients within state
regulations
Rationale: Nurse practitioners have the authority to assess, diagnose,
and manage patient care within the scope defined by state laws and
regulations.
2. Which document primarily guides ethical nursing practice?
A. The US Constitution
B. The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses
C. The Affordable Care Act
D. HIPAA
B. The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses
Rationale: The ANA Code of Ethics outlines professional responsibilities
and ethical obligations of nurses in all practice settings.
3. Which legal concept refers to failure to act as a reasonably
prudent nurse would?
, A. Malpractice
B. Assault
C. Battery
D. Negligence
D. Negligence
Rationale: Negligence occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet
the standard of care, resulting in harm to a patient.
4. What is the primary purpose of HIPAA?
A. To define the scope of NP practice
B. To protect patient privacy and health information
C. To provide malpractice insurance
D. To regulate hospital administration
B. To protect patient privacy and health information
Rationale: HIPAA sets standards to safeguard medical records and other
personal health information.
5. Which action is considered professional misconduct for an NP?
A. Referring a patient to a specialist
B. Prescribing medication without proper assessment
C. Documenting patient encounters accurately
D. Engaging in continuing education
B. Prescribing medication without proper assessment
Rationale: Prescribing without assessment violates professional and
legal standards, exposing the NP to disciplinary action.
6. Which of the following is an example of informed consent?
A. Patient signs a consent form without explanation
B. NP explains risks, benefits, and alternatives, and patient
voluntarily agrees
, C. NP makes decisions on behalf of the patient without discussion
D. Patient consents only after surgery is completed
B. NP explains risks, benefits, and alternatives, and patient voluntarily
agrees
Rationale: Informed consent requires that patients understand the
procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives before agreeing.
7. What is the primary role of a nurse practitioner in collaborative
practice?
A. Practice independently without consultation
B. Consult with physicians and other healthcare providers as
needed
C. Only follow physician instructions
D. Avoid clinical decision-making
B. Consult with physicians and other healthcare providers as needed
Rationale: Collaborative practice ensures comprehensive patient care,
especially in complex cases.
8. Which term describes intentionally causing harmful or offensive
contact?
A. Negligence
B. Malpractice
C. Assault
D. Battery
D. Battery
Rationale: Battery involves actual physical contact without consent,
whereas assault refers to the threat of harm.
9. Which of the following is required for an NP to maintain
licensure?
A. Annual recertification exams only
, B. Completion of continuing education and compliance with state
requirements
C. Only initial NP certification
D. Working a minimum of 1,000 hours per year
B. Completion of continuing education and compliance with state
requirements
Rationale: Maintaining NP licensure requires ongoing professional
development and adherence to state-specific regulations.
10. Which legal doctrine protects healthcare providers from
liability in emergencies?
A. Good Samaritan Law
B. Malpractice Statute
C. Informed Consent
D. HIPAA
A. Good Samaritan Law
Rationale: Good Samaritan laws protect providers from liability when
voluntarily assisting in emergencies outside of employment settings.
11. Which statement best describes malpractice?
A. An unintentional breach of duty that causes harm
B. Intentional harm to a patient
C. A minor documentation error
D. Patient dissatisfaction with care
A. An unintentional breach of duty that causes harm
Rationale: Malpractice is negligence by a healthcare provider that
results in patient injury.
12. What is required for an NP to prescribe controlled
substances?
A. State NP license only
– Full Solved Test Bank Download (150 Questions
Answers And Rationale:2025/2026)
1. Which of the following best describes the scope of practice for a
nurse practitioner?
A. Providing care only under direct physician supervision
B. Independently diagnosing and treating patients within state
regulations
C. Performing surgery independently
D. Prescribing medications without any regulatory oversight
B. Independently diagnosing and treating patients within state
regulations
Rationale: Nurse practitioners have the authority to assess, diagnose,
and manage patient care within the scope defined by state laws and
regulations.
2. Which document primarily guides ethical nursing practice?
A. The US Constitution
B. The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses
C. The Affordable Care Act
D. HIPAA
B. The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses
Rationale: The ANA Code of Ethics outlines professional responsibilities
and ethical obligations of nurses in all practice settings.
3. Which legal concept refers to failure to act as a reasonably
prudent nurse would?
, A. Malpractice
B. Assault
C. Battery
D. Negligence
D. Negligence
Rationale: Negligence occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet
the standard of care, resulting in harm to a patient.
4. What is the primary purpose of HIPAA?
A. To define the scope of NP practice
B. To protect patient privacy and health information
C. To provide malpractice insurance
D. To regulate hospital administration
B. To protect patient privacy and health information
Rationale: HIPAA sets standards to safeguard medical records and other
personal health information.
5. Which action is considered professional misconduct for an NP?
A. Referring a patient to a specialist
B. Prescribing medication without proper assessment
C. Documenting patient encounters accurately
D. Engaging in continuing education
B. Prescribing medication without proper assessment
Rationale: Prescribing without assessment violates professional and
legal standards, exposing the NP to disciplinary action.
6. Which of the following is an example of informed consent?
A. Patient signs a consent form without explanation
B. NP explains risks, benefits, and alternatives, and patient
voluntarily agrees
, C. NP makes decisions on behalf of the patient without discussion
D. Patient consents only after surgery is completed
B. NP explains risks, benefits, and alternatives, and patient voluntarily
agrees
Rationale: Informed consent requires that patients understand the
procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives before agreeing.
7. What is the primary role of a nurse practitioner in collaborative
practice?
A. Practice independently without consultation
B. Consult with physicians and other healthcare providers as
needed
C. Only follow physician instructions
D. Avoid clinical decision-making
B. Consult with physicians and other healthcare providers as needed
Rationale: Collaborative practice ensures comprehensive patient care,
especially in complex cases.
8. Which term describes intentionally causing harmful or offensive
contact?
A. Negligence
B. Malpractice
C. Assault
D. Battery
D. Battery
Rationale: Battery involves actual physical contact without consent,
whereas assault refers to the threat of harm.
9. Which of the following is required for an NP to maintain
licensure?
A. Annual recertification exams only
, B. Completion of continuing education and compliance with state
requirements
C. Only initial NP certification
D. Working a minimum of 1,000 hours per year
B. Completion of continuing education and compliance with state
requirements
Rationale: Maintaining NP licensure requires ongoing professional
development and adherence to state-specific regulations.
10. Which legal doctrine protects healthcare providers from
liability in emergencies?
A. Good Samaritan Law
B. Malpractice Statute
C. Informed Consent
D. HIPAA
A. Good Samaritan Law
Rationale: Good Samaritan laws protect providers from liability when
voluntarily assisting in emergencies outside of employment settings.
11. Which statement best describes malpractice?
A. An unintentional breach of duty that causes harm
B. Intentional harm to a patient
C. A minor documentation error
D. Patient dissatisfaction with care
A. An unintentional breach of duty that causes harm
Rationale: Malpractice is negligence by a healthcare provider that
results in patient injury.
12. What is required for an NP to prescribe controlled
substances?
A. State NP license only
