Page Test
1Test
of 444
Bank
BankforforCritical
Critical
TestCare
CareNursing
BankNursingDiagnosis
Diagnosis
- Critical Careand
and
Management,
Management,9th
Nursing-Diagnosis9thEdition
Edition20262027
20262027Linda
and Management, Linda
D.D.Urden,
9th Urden,Kathleen
EditionKathleen
(Urden,M.M.
Stacy
Stacy& &Mary
2022) MaryE.E.Lough
Lough.pdf
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding REF: p. 29
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Legal
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
12. The ability to practice as a licensed professional nurse is a privilege granted by what entity?
a. Employee contract
b. State legislature
c. State boards of nursing
d. Congress
ANS: B
The very ability to practice as a licensed professional nurse is a privilege granted by the
state and is a function of each state’s authority to promote and protect the health and welfare
of its citizens. State boards of nursing (BON) are administrative bodies created by—and that
operate under—state statutes, or more generally written state laws created by state
legislatures and signed by the governor. In turn, the BONs develop more specific rules (or
regulations) for obtaining and maintaining licensure.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding REF: p. 24
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Legal
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
13. Why is restraining a competent patient against his or her wishes considered an intentional
tort?
a. The nurse did not document the patient’s need for restraints.
b. The nurse failed to get a phW ’sBoSrdMe.
ysWicWia.nT rW
foS
r restraints.
c. The nurse touched the patient in an unauthorized manner.
d. The nurse does not inform the patient that the restraints were needed.
ANS: C
Assault and battery are examples of intentional torts that are frequently brought against
health care providers. Battery occurs if the health care professional actually touches the
patient in an unauthorized manner. The act of restraining a patient without consent is
battery.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding REF: p. 32
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: Intervention TOP: Legal
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
14. What is the best action a nurse could take to prevent allegations of malpractice?
a. Carrying malpractice insurance
b. Clarifying orders with the nursing supervisor
c. Delegating care to nursing assistants
d. Providing care according to standards of practice
ANS: D
19 | P a g e
2/1/2026
Test
TestBank
BankforforCritical
CriticalCare
CareNursing
NursingDiagnosis
Diagnosisand
andManagement,
Management,9th
9thEdition
Edition20262027
20262027Linda
LindaD.D.Urden,
Urden,Kathleen
KathleenM.M.Stacy
Stacy& &Mary
MaryE.E.Lough
Lough.pdf
,Page Test
2Test
of 444
Bank
BankforforCritical
Critical
TestCare
CareNursing
BankNursingDiagnosis
Diagnosis
- Critical Careand
and
Management,
Management,9th
Nursing-Diagnosis9thEdition
Edition20262027
20262027Linda
and Management, Linda
D.D.Urden,
9th Urden,Kathleen
EditionKathleen
(Urden,M.M.
Stacy
Stacy& &Mary
2022) MaryE.E.Lough
Lough.pdf
Maintaining standards of practice is the best way to reduce risk. The hallmark of risk
reduction is knowledge of the professional standards of care, delivery and documentation of
that care, and consistent demonstration that the standards are met. Nurses caring for acutely
and critically ill patients may be alleged to have acted in a manner that is inconsistent with
standards of care or standards of professional practice and may find themselves involved in
civil litigation that focuses in whole or in part on the alleged failure.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding REF: p. 24
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Legal
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
15. While participating in rounds, a nurse is interrupted by the wife of a ventilated patient, who
informs the nurse that her husband is having difficulty breathing. The patient is found to be
disconnected from the ventilator and unresponsive when the nurse enters the room after
rounds. The alarm mode on the ventilator had been turned off. This situation is an example
of what legal situation?
a. Assault
b. Battery
c. Injury
d. Malpractice
ANS: D
All four elements of negligence are present: duty and standard of care, breach of duty,
causation, and injury. If a nurse caring for acutely and critically ill patients is accused of
failing to act in a manner consistent with the standard of care, that nurse is subject to
liability for professional malpractice (negligence applied to a professional). Assault occurs if
the patient fears harmful or offeWnWsiW
ve.T
toB
ucShM
in.
g.WBSattery is any intentional act that brings about
actual harmful or offensive contact with the plaintiff.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Evaluating REF: p. 27 | p. 28
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Legal
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
16. After admission a patient shares with the nurse a concern that her adult children will not be
able to reach agreement on what to do if she is no longer able to make decisions for herself.
The nurse informs the patient that it is possible to grant authority to one person to make
decision through which mechanism?
a. Court-appointed guardian
b. Do-not-resuscitate order
c. Durable power of attorney for health care
d. Living will
ANS: C
20 | P a g e
2/1/2026
Test
TestBank
BankforforCritical
CriticalCare
CareNursing
NursingDiagnosis
Diagnosisand
andManagement,
Management,9th
9thEdition
Edition20262027
20262027Linda
LindaD.D.Urden,
Urden,Kathleen
KathleenM.M.Stacy
Stacy& &Mary
MaryE.E.Lough
Lough.pdf
,Page Test
3Test
of 444
Bank
BankforforCritical
Critical
TestCare
CareNursing
BankNursingDiagnosis
Diagnosis
- Critical Careand
and
Management,
Management,9th
Nursing-Diagnosis9thEdition
Edition20262027
20262027Linda
and Management, Linda
D.D.Urden,
9th Urden,Kathleen
EditionKathleen
(Urden,M.M.
Stacy
Stacy& &Mary
2022) MaryE.E.Lough
Lough.pdf
A durable power of attorney for health care includes legally binding documents that allow
individuals to specify a variety of preferences, particular treatments he or she wants to
avoid, and circumstances in which he or she wishes to avoid them. The durable power of
attorney for health care is a directive through which a patient designates an “agent,”
someone who will make decisions for the patient if the patient becomes unable to do so. A
living will specifies that if certain circumstances occur, such as terminal illness, the patient
will decline specific treatments, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation and mechanical
ventilation.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding REF: p. 36
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Legal
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
17. In which situation did the nurse disregard the patient’s right to privacy?
a. Informing the physician that the patient was verbalizing suicidal thoughts
b. Notifying the health department of a patient’s tuberculosis diagnosis
c. Reporting possible dependent-adult abuse to the police
d. Warning a visitor to wear gloves when giving a back rub because the patient is
HIV positive
ANS: D
Telling a visitor of the patient’s HIV status violated the patient’s right to privacy. The nurse
could have ensured the visitor’s safety by providing gloves and explaining universal
precautions.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyzing REF: p. 31
W/W
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N AW.TBSMT .OWPS: Legal
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
18. Which statement best describes the definition of assault?
a. An intentional act that causes the patient to believe that harm may have been done
b. A statement that causes injury to the patient’s standing in the community
c. Negligence that results in harm to a spousal relationship
d. An intentional act that brings about harm or offensive contact with the patient
ANS: A
Assault occurs if the patient fears harmful or offensive touching. Battery is defined as an
intentional act that brings about harm or offensive contact with the patient.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding REF: p. 32
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Legal
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
19. During transport to the operating room for mitral valve replacement, a patient with a signed
consent form says that she does not want to go through with the surgery and asks to be
returned to her room. What is the best response from the nurse?
a. “The operating room is prepared; let’s not keep the surgeon waiting.”
b. “You have the right to cancel surgery, but it could be weeks before you are
rescheduled.”
c. “You sound frightened; tell me what you are thinking.”
21 | P a g e
2/1/2026
Test
TestBank
BankforforCritical
CriticalCare
CareNursing
NursingDiagnosis
Diagnosisand
andManagement,
Management,9th
9thEdition
Edition20262027
20262027Linda
LindaD.D.Urden,
Urden,Kathleen
KathleenM.M.Stacy
Stacy& &Mary
MaryE.E.Lough
Lough.pdf
, Page Test
4Test
of 444
Bank
BankforforCritical
Critical
TestCare
CareNursing
BankNursingDiagnosis
Diagnosis
- Critical Careand
and
Management,
Management,9th
Nursing-Diagnosis9thEdition
Edition20262027
20262027Linda
and Management, Linda
D.D.Urden,
9th Urden,Kathleen
EditionKathleen
(Urden,M.M.
Stacy
Stacy& &Mary
2022) MaryE.E.Lough
Lough.pdf
d. “Your preoperative medications will have you feeling more relaxed in a minute; it
will be OK.”
ANS: C
The patient has the right to withdraw consent at any time. The nurse must listen and then
clarify whether that is really what the patient desires. If it is, the surgeon should then be
notified.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyzing REF: p. 34
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Legal
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
20. Which situation would be considered a failure of proper implementation?
a. Not identifying and analyzing symptoms appropriately
b. Not documenting the patient’s response to pain medication
c. Not recognizing a malfunctioning chest tube
d. Not asking the patient about code or no code wishes
ANS: B
Nurses caring for acutely and critically ill patients are required not only to take appropriate
action but also to accurately document their findings, interventions performed, and patients’
response to those interventions. Failure to thoroughly and accurately document any aspect
of care gives rise to negligence causes of action.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyzing REF: p. 30
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Legal
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and EffeW ctW
ivW
e.CT
arB
eSEM
nv.irWoS
nment
21. Which agency is responsible for maintaining the expectations and limits of nursing practice?
a. State Hospital Association
b. Court system
c. State Board of Nursing
d. State Department of Health
ANS: C
State Boards of Nursing (SBONs) maintain expectations for and limits of nursing practice in
each state through the licensure of nurses and also through challenges to nonnurses engaged
in professional activities that intrude upon the nursing scope of practice.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 24
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Nurse Practice Act
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
22. A nurse providing care for a patient with a recent tracheostomy notes the presence of an
ulceration or wound at the tracheotomy site. The nature of the ulceration or wound clearly
indicates it has been present for at least several days. The nurse finds no documentation
regarding the ulceration or wound since the insertion of the tracheostomy tube 12 days
earlier. This situation is an example of what legal situations?
a. Assessment and implementation failure
b. Failure to appropriately diagnose
22 | P a g e
2/1/2026
Test
TestBank
BankforforCritical
CriticalCare
CareNursing
NursingDiagnosis
Diagnosisand
andManagement,
Management,9th
9thEdition
Edition20262027
20262027Linda
LindaD.D.Urden,
Urden,Kathleen
KathleenM.M.Stacy
Stacy& &Mary
MaryE.E.Lough
Lough.pdf
1Test
of 444
Bank
BankforforCritical
Critical
TestCare
CareNursing
BankNursingDiagnosis
Diagnosis
- Critical Careand
and
Management,
Management,9th
Nursing-Diagnosis9thEdition
Edition20262027
20262027Linda
and Management, Linda
D.D.Urden,
9th Urden,Kathleen
EditionKathleen
(Urden,M.M.
Stacy
Stacy& &Mary
2022) MaryE.E.Lough
Lough.pdf
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding REF: p. 29
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Legal
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
12. The ability to practice as a licensed professional nurse is a privilege granted by what entity?
a. Employee contract
b. State legislature
c. State boards of nursing
d. Congress
ANS: B
The very ability to practice as a licensed professional nurse is a privilege granted by the
state and is a function of each state’s authority to promote and protect the health and welfare
of its citizens. State boards of nursing (BON) are administrative bodies created by—and that
operate under—state statutes, or more generally written state laws created by state
legislatures and signed by the governor. In turn, the BONs develop more specific rules (or
regulations) for obtaining and maintaining licensure.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding REF: p. 24
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Legal
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
13. Why is restraining a competent patient against his or her wishes considered an intentional
tort?
a. The nurse did not document the patient’s need for restraints.
b. The nurse failed to get a phW ’sBoSrdMe.
ysWicWia.nT rW
foS
r restraints.
c. The nurse touched the patient in an unauthorized manner.
d. The nurse does not inform the patient that the restraints were needed.
ANS: C
Assault and battery are examples of intentional torts that are frequently brought against
health care providers. Battery occurs if the health care professional actually touches the
patient in an unauthorized manner. The act of restraining a patient without consent is
battery.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding REF: p. 32
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: Intervention TOP: Legal
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
14. What is the best action a nurse could take to prevent allegations of malpractice?
a. Carrying malpractice insurance
b. Clarifying orders with the nursing supervisor
c. Delegating care to nursing assistants
d. Providing care according to standards of practice
ANS: D
19 | P a g e
2/1/2026
Test
TestBank
BankforforCritical
CriticalCare
CareNursing
NursingDiagnosis
Diagnosisand
andManagement,
Management,9th
9thEdition
Edition20262027
20262027Linda
LindaD.D.Urden,
Urden,Kathleen
KathleenM.M.Stacy
Stacy& &Mary
MaryE.E.Lough
Lough.pdf
,Page Test
2Test
of 444
Bank
BankforforCritical
Critical
TestCare
CareNursing
BankNursingDiagnosis
Diagnosis
- Critical Careand
and
Management,
Management,9th
Nursing-Diagnosis9thEdition
Edition20262027
20262027Linda
and Management, Linda
D.D.Urden,
9th Urden,Kathleen
EditionKathleen
(Urden,M.M.
Stacy
Stacy& &Mary
2022) MaryE.E.Lough
Lough.pdf
Maintaining standards of practice is the best way to reduce risk. The hallmark of risk
reduction is knowledge of the professional standards of care, delivery and documentation of
that care, and consistent demonstration that the standards are met. Nurses caring for acutely
and critically ill patients may be alleged to have acted in a manner that is inconsistent with
standards of care or standards of professional practice and may find themselves involved in
civil litigation that focuses in whole or in part on the alleged failure.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding REF: p. 24
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Legal
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
15. While participating in rounds, a nurse is interrupted by the wife of a ventilated patient, who
informs the nurse that her husband is having difficulty breathing. The patient is found to be
disconnected from the ventilator and unresponsive when the nurse enters the room after
rounds. The alarm mode on the ventilator had been turned off. This situation is an example
of what legal situation?
a. Assault
b. Battery
c. Injury
d. Malpractice
ANS: D
All four elements of negligence are present: duty and standard of care, breach of duty,
causation, and injury. If a nurse caring for acutely and critically ill patients is accused of
failing to act in a manner consistent with the standard of care, that nurse is subject to
liability for professional malpractice (negligence applied to a professional). Assault occurs if
the patient fears harmful or offeWnWsiW
ve.T
toB
ucShM
in.
g.WBSattery is any intentional act that brings about
actual harmful or offensive contact with the plaintiff.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Evaluating REF: p. 27 | p. 28
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Legal
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
16. After admission a patient shares with the nurse a concern that her adult children will not be
able to reach agreement on what to do if she is no longer able to make decisions for herself.
The nurse informs the patient that it is possible to grant authority to one person to make
decision through which mechanism?
a. Court-appointed guardian
b. Do-not-resuscitate order
c. Durable power of attorney for health care
d. Living will
ANS: C
20 | P a g e
2/1/2026
Test
TestBank
BankforforCritical
CriticalCare
CareNursing
NursingDiagnosis
Diagnosisand
andManagement,
Management,9th
9thEdition
Edition20262027
20262027Linda
LindaD.D.Urden,
Urden,Kathleen
KathleenM.M.Stacy
Stacy& &Mary
MaryE.E.Lough
Lough.pdf
,Page Test
3Test
of 444
Bank
BankforforCritical
Critical
TestCare
CareNursing
BankNursingDiagnosis
Diagnosis
- Critical Careand
and
Management,
Management,9th
Nursing-Diagnosis9thEdition
Edition20262027
20262027Linda
and Management, Linda
D.D.Urden,
9th Urden,Kathleen
EditionKathleen
(Urden,M.M.
Stacy
Stacy& &Mary
2022) MaryE.E.Lough
Lough.pdf
A durable power of attorney for health care includes legally binding documents that allow
individuals to specify a variety of preferences, particular treatments he or she wants to
avoid, and circumstances in which he or she wishes to avoid them. The durable power of
attorney for health care is a directive through which a patient designates an “agent,”
someone who will make decisions for the patient if the patient becomes unable to do so. A
living will specifies that if certain circumstances occur, such as terminal illness, the patient
will decline specific treatments, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation and mechanical
ventilation.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding REF: p. 36
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Legal
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
17. In which situation did the nurse disregard the patient’s right to privacy?
a. Informing the physician that the patient was verbalizing suicidal thoughts
b. Notifying the health department of a patient’s tuberculosis diagnosis
c. Reporting possible dependent-adult abuse to the police
d. Warning a visitor to wear gloves when giving a back rub because the patient is
HIV positive
ANS: D
Telling a visitor of the patient’s HIV status violated the patient’s right to privacy. The nurse
could have ensured the visitor’s safety by providing gloves and explaining universal
precautions.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyzing REF: p. 31
W/W
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N AW.TBSMT .OWPS: Legal
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
18. Which statement best describes the definition of assault?
a. An intentional act that causes the patient to believe that harm may have been done
b. A statement that causes injury to the patient’s standing in the community
c. Negligence that results in harm to a spousal relationship
d. An intentional act that brings about harm or offensive contact with the patient
ANS: A
Assault occurs if the patient fears harmful or offensive touching. Battery is defined as an
intentional act that brings about harm or offensive contact with the patient.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding REF: p. 32
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Legal
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
19. During transport to the operating room for mitral valve replacement, a patient with a signed
consent form says that she does not want to go through with the surgery and asks to be
returned to her room. What is the best response from the nurse?
a. “The operating room is prepared; let’s not keep the surgeon waiting.”
b. “You have the right to cancel surgery, but it could be weeks before you are
rescheduled.”
c. “You sound frightened; tell me what you are thinking.”
21 | P a g e
2/1/2026
Test
TestBank
BankforforCritical
CriticalCare
CareNursing
NursingDiagnosis
Diagnosisand
andManagement,
Management,9th
9thEdition
Edition20262027
20262027Linda
LindaD.D.Urden,
Urden,Kathleen
KathleenM.M.Stacy
Stacy& &Mary
MaryE.E.Lough
Lough.pdf
, Page Test
4Test
of 444
Bank
BankforforCritical
Critical
TestCare
CareNursing
BankNursingDiagnosis
Diagnosis
- Critical Careand
and
Management,
Management,9th
Nursing-Diagnosis9thEdition
Edition20262027
20262027Linda
and Management, Linda
D.D.Urden,
9th Urden,Kathleen
EditionKathleen
(Urden,M.M.
Stacy
Stacy& &Mary
2022) MaryE.E.Lough
Lough.pdf
d. “Your preoperative medications will have you feeling more relaxed in a minute; it
will be OK.”
ANS: C
The patient has the right to withdraw consent at any time. The nurse must listen and then
clarify whether that is really what the patient desires. If it is, the surgeon should then be
notified.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyzing REF: p. 34
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Legal
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
20. Which situation would be considered a failure of proper implementation?
a. Not identifying and analyzing symptoms appropriately
b. Not documenting the patient’s response to pain medication
c. Not recognizing a malfunctioning chest tube
d. Not asking the patient about code or no code wishes
ANS: B
Nurses caring for acutely and critically ill patients are required not only to take appropriate
action but also to accurately document their findings, interventions performed, and patients’
response to those interventions. Failure to thoroughly and accurately document any aspect
of care gives rise to negligence causes of action.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyzing REF: p. 30
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Legal
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and EffeW ctW
ivW
e.CT
arB
eSEM
nv.irWoS
nment
21. Which agency is responsible for maintaining the expectations and limits of nursing practice?
a. State Hospital Association
b. Court system
c. State Board of Nursing
d. State Department of Health
ANS: C
State Boards of Nursing (SBONs) maintain expectations for and limits of nursing practice in
each state through the licensure of nurses and also through challenges to nonnurses engaged
in professional activities that intrude upon the nursing scope of practice.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 24
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Nurse Practice Act
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
22. A nurse providing care for a patient with a recent tracheostomy notes the presence of an
ulceration or wound at the tracheotomy site. The nature of the ulceration or wound clearly
indicates it has been present for at least several days. The nurse finds no documentation
regarding the ulceration or wound since the insertion of the tracheostomy tube 12 days
earlier. This situation is an example of what legal situations?
a. Assessment and implementation failure
b. Failure to appropriately diagnose
22 | P a g e
2/1/2026
Test
TestBank
BankforforCritical
CriticalCare
CareNursing
NursingDiagnosis
Diagnosisand
andManagement,
Management,9th
9thEdition
Edition20262027
20262027Linda
LindaD.D.Urden,
Urden,Kathleen
KathleenM.M.Stacy
Stacy& &Mary
MaryE.E.Lough
Lough.pdf
