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LEGAL & ETHICAL ISSUES IN NURSING EXAM
SCOPE OF PRACTICE & PATIENT RIGHTS
2026-27 LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS 1–20: SCOPE OF PRACTICE
1. The nurse’s scope of practice is primarily defined by:
A. Hospital policy
B. Physician preference
C. National nursing practice acts
D. Patient expectations
Answer: C
Rationale: Nursing practice acts legally define roles,
responsibilities, and limits of nursing practice.
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2. A nurse who performs a procedure not authorized by law
may be charged with:
A. Negligence
B. Malpractice
C. Assault
D. Fraud
Answer: B
Rationale: Malpractice involves professional misconduct or
failure to meet legal standards.
3. Which action best protects a nurse from practicing outside
their scope?
A. Delegating tasks freely
B. Following physician orders without question
C. Knowing state practice regulations
D. Relying on experience alone
Answer: C
Rationale: Legal scope is governed by regulatory laws, not
experience or orders.
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4. A licensed practical nurse (LPN) administering IV
chemotherapy is an example of:
A. Delegation
B. Accountability
C. Scope violation
D. Ethical practice
Answer: C
Rationale: Chemotherapy administration is outside LPN scope
in most jurisdictions.
5. Accountability in nursing means:
A. Reporting errors only when asked
B. Accepting responsibility for actions
C. Blaming systems for mistakes
D. Following orders regardless of safety
Answer: B
Rationale: Nurses are legally and ethically responsible for their
actions.
6. Which task is appropriate for delegation to unlicensed
assistive personnel (UAP)?
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A. Medication administration
B. Patient assessment
C. Vital sign measurement
D. Care plan development
Answer: C
Rationale: Routine, non-judgmental tasks may be delegated.
7. When delegating, the nurse retains responsibility for:
A. Task performance
B. Final outcomes
C. UAP employment status
D. Institutional policy
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse remains accountable for patient
outcomes.
8. Which situation reflects safe delegation?
A. Assigning assessment to UAP
B. Assigning stable patient ambulation
C. Assigning medication education
D. Assigning wound evaluation
LEGAL & ETHICAL ISSUES IN NURSING EXAM
SCOPE OF PRACTICE & PATIENT RIGHTS
2026-27 LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS 1–20: SCOPE OF PRACTICE
1. The nurse’s scope of practice is primarily defined by:
A. Hospital policy
B. Physician preference
C. National nursing practice acts
D. Patient expectations
Answer: C
Rationale: Nursing practice acts legally define roles,
responsibilities, and limits of nursing practice.
,2
2. A nurse who performs a procedure not authorized by law
may be charged with:
A. Negligence
B. Malpractice
C. Assault
D. Fraud
Answer: B
Rationale: Malpractice involves professional misconduct or
failure to meet legal standards.
3. Which action best protects a nurse from practicing outside
their scope?
A. Delegating tasks freely
B. Following physician orders without question
C. Knowing state practice regulations
D. Relying on experience alone
Answer: C
Rationale: Legal scope is governed by regulatory laws, not
experience or orders.
,3
4. A licensed practical nurse (LPN) administering IV
chemotherapy is an example of:
A. Delegation
B. Accountability
C. Scope violation
D. Ethical practice
Answer: C
Rationale: Chemotherapy administration is outside LPN scope
in most jurisdictions.
5. Accountability in nursing means:
A. Reporting errors only when asked
B. Accepting responsibility for actions
C. Blaming systems for mistakes
D. Following orders regardless of safety
Answer: B
Rationale: Nurses are legally and ethically responsible for their
actions.
6. Which task is appropriate for delegation to unlicensed
assistive personnel (UAP)?
, 4
A. Medication administration
B. Patient assessment
C. Vital sign measurement
D. Care plan development
Answer: C
Rationale: Routine, non-judgmental tasks may be delegated.
7. When delegating, the nurse retains responsibility for:
A. Task performance
B. Final outcomes
C. UAP employment status
D. Institutional policy
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse remains accountable for patient
outcomes.
8. Which situation reflects safe delegation?
A. Assigning assessment to UAP
B. Assigning stable patient ambulation
C. Assigning medication education
D. Assigning wound evaluation
