1
PROFESSIONAL VALUES, ETHICAL AND LEGAL TENETS OF HEALTH
CARE (UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT LAFAYETTE) LEGAL AND
ETHICAL ISSUES IN NURSING 2026-27 LATEST VERSION
Question 1
Type: MCSA
Which statement indicates that a nurse understands how the doctrine of respondeat superior alters his liability for
negligent conduct?
1. “If I can prove that this doctrine applies, all of the liability is shifted to the hospital.”
2. ”Respondeat superior will not alter my liability in any way.”
3. “My liability to the patient is reduced by this doctrine.”
4. “Since the hospital is liable for my actions, I am liable to my employer to provide competent care.”
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Vicarious liability is not a shift of liability, but an extension of liability allowing justice to be fairly
distributed.
Rationale 2: If respondeat superior applies to this case, the nurse’s liability will be altered.
Rationale 3: The nurse is always liable for all actions in the care of the patient.
Rationale 4: The courts have supported the concept that the employer is liable for its employees' actions as an
element of the master-servant relationship; therefore, the nurse is liable to the employer. The employer is liable
for the conduct and actions of the employee, but the employee is responsible to the employer.
Global Rationale:
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment
, 2
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Evaluation
Learning Outcome: 13.1 Describe the doctrines of respondeat superior, borrowed and dual servant doctrines,
ostensible authority, corporate negligence, and direct corporate liability.
Question 2
Type: MCSA
In an effort to attract clinic physicians, the hospital has agreed to provide a nurse to work in the physician's office.
The nurse will work under the direction and supervision of the physician whose clinic is housed with the hospital
building. Which doctrine most closely describes the conditions in which this nurse is working?
Guido, Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing, 6e, Test Bank
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc.
PROFESSIONAL VALUES, ETHICAL AND LEGAL TENETS OF HEALTH
CARE (UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT LAFAYETTE) LEGAL AND
ETHICAL ISSUES IN NURSING 2026-27 LATEST VERSION
Question 1
Type: MCSA
Which statement indicates that a nurse understands how the doctrine of respondeat superior alters his liability for
negligent conduct?
1. “If I can prove that this doctrine applies, all of the liability is shifted to the hospital.”
2. ”Respondeat superior will not alter my liability in any way.”
3. “My liability to the patient is reduced by this doctrine.”
4. “Since the hospital is liable for my actions, I am liable to my employer to provide competent care.”
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Vicarious liability is not a shift of liability, but an extension of liability allowing justice to be fairly
distributed.
Rationale 2: If respondeat superior applies to this case, the nurse’s liability will be altered.
Rationale 3: The nurse is always liable for all actions in the care of the patient.
Rationale 4: The courts have supported the concept that the employer is liable for its employees' actions as an
element of the master-servant relationship; therefore, the nurse is liable to the employer. The employer is liable
for the conduct and actions of the employee, but the employee is responsible to the employer.
Global Rationale:
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment
, 2
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Evaluation
Learning Outcome: 13.1 Describe the doctrines of respondeat superior, borrowed and dual servant doctrines,
ostensible authority, corporate negligence, and direct corporate liability.
Question 2
Type: MCSA
In an effort to attract clinic physicians, the hospital has agreed to provide a nurse to work in the physician's office.
The nurse will work under the direction and supervision of the physician whose clinic is housed with the hospital
building. Which doctrine most closely describes the conditions in which this nurse is working?
Guido, Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing, 6e, Test Bank
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc.
