,Chapter1: Foundations of Nursing Practice
Stem: A registered nurse (RN) is asked to perform a clinical task
that falls outside the RN’s education and state nurse practice
act. According to the ANA scope statement, the nurse’s first
professional obligation is to:
A. Perform the task and document it thoroughly to avoid
liability.
B. Accept the assignment if supervised by another RN.
C. Decline or seek clarification and consult applicable laws,
policies, and standards.
D. Delegate the task to a nursing assistant and oversee it.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale (Correct): ANA scope guidance emphasizes nurses’
responsibility to practice within their competence and the law;
when in doubt they must seek clarification and consult Nurse
Practice Acts and organizational policies before acting. This
protects patient safety and the nurse’s professional
accountability.
Rationale (A): Performing an unfamiliar task to avoid immediate
conflict risks patient harm and professional misconduct.
Rationale (B): Supervision by an RN does not replace legal
scope or required competencies; verification of legality and
competence is required.
Rationale (D): Delegation is inappropriate if the RN lacks
competence to oversee the task safely.
,Teaching Point: Always confirm legal and competency
boundaries before accepting unfamiliar clinical tasks.
2.
Chapter 1 — Section: Scope of Nursing Practice — Title:
Professional Responsibilities
Stem: Which statement best reflects the ANA’s description of
the “scope of nursing practice”?
A. A prescriptive list of tasks that nurses must perform daily.
B. A definition of who may practice nursing, what they do,
where, when, why, and how.
C. A regulatory document that supersedes state nurse practice
acts.
D. A checklist for employer hiring practices.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale (Correct): The scope statement describes the “who,
what, where, when, why, and how” of nursing practice—
defining the domain and purpose rather than a rigid task list.
Rationale (A): It is not a prescriptive daily task list; it’s
conceptual and guides practice.
Rationale (C): Scope guidance does not supersede state law;
state Nurse Practice Acts are regulatory.
Rationale (D): While useful to employers, it is not merely a
hiring checklist.
, Teaching Point: Scope statements define the breadth and
purpose of nursing practice, not a daily task list.
3.
Chapter 1 — Section: Standards of Professional Nursing
Practice — Title: Purpose of Standards
Stem: The Standards of Professional Nursing Practice primarily
serve to:
A. Provide legal immunity for nurses who follow them.
B. Define authoritative expectations of RN actions and
behaviors across roles.
C. Replace specialty guidelines developed by nursing
organizations.
D. List mandatory procedures for performance reviews.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale (Correct): Standards articulate authoritative
expectations for professional performance applicable to all RNs,
supporting competency assessment and public protection.
Rationale (A): Following standards does not guarantee legal
immunity; they may be used as evidence of appropriate
practice.
Rationale (C): Standards complement, not replace, specialty-
specific guidelines.
Rationale (D): They inform performance evaluation but are
broader than procedural checklists.
Stem: A registered nurse (RN) is asked to perform a clinical task
that falls outside the RN’s education and state nurse practice
act. According to the ANA scope statement, the nurse’s first
professional obligation is to:
A. Perform the task and document it thoroughly to avoid
liability.
B. Accept the assignment if supervised by another RN.
C. Decline or seek clarification and consult applicable laws,
policies, and standards.
D. Delegate the task to a nursing assistant and oversee it.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale (Correct): ANA scope guidance emphasizes nurses’
responsibility to practice within their competence and the law;
when in doubt they must seek clarification and consult Nurse
Practice Acts and organizational policies before acting. This
protects patient safety and the nurse’s professional
accountability.
Rationale (A): Performing an unfamiliar task to avoid immediate
conflict risks patient harm and professional misconduct.
Rationale (B): Supervision by an RN does not replace legal
scope or required competencies; verification of legality and
competence is required.
Rationale (D): Delegation is inappropriate if the RN lacks
competence to oversee the task safely.
,Teaching Point: Always confirm legal and competency
boundaries before accepting unfamiliar clinical tasks.
2.
Chapter 1 — Section: Scope of Nursing Practice — Title:
Professional Responsibilities
Stem: Which statement best reflects the ANA’s description of
the “scope of nursing practice”?
A. A prescriptive list of tasks that nurses must perform daily.
B. A definition of who may practice nursing, what they do,
where, when, why, and how.
C. A regulatory document that supersedes state nurse practice
acts.
D. A checklist for employer hiring practices.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale (Correct): The scope statement describes the “who,
what, where, when, why, and how” of nursing practice—
defining the domain and purpose rather than a rigid task list.
Rationale (A): It is not a prescriptive daily task list; it’s
conceptual and guides practice.
Rationale (C): Scope guidance does not supersede state law;
state Nurse Practice Acts are regulatory.
Rationale (D): While useful to employers, it is not merely a
hiring checklist.
, Teaching Point: Scope statements define the breadth and
purpose of nursing practice, not a daily task list.
3.
Chapter 1 — Section: Standards of Professional Nursing
Practice — Title: Purpose of Standards
Stem: The Standards of Professional Nursing Practice primarily
serve to:
A. Provide legal immunity for nurses who follow them.
B. Define authoritative expectations of RN actions and
behaviors across roles.
C. Replace specialty guidelines developed by nursing
organizations.
D. List mandatory procedures for performance reviews.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale (Correct): Standards articulate authoritative
expectations for professional performance applicable to all RNs,
supporting competency assessment and public protection.
Rationale (A): Following standards does not guarantee legal
immunity; they may be used as evidence of appropriate
practice.
Rationale (C): Standards complement, not replace, specialty-
specific guidelines.
Rationale (D): They inform performance evaluation but are
broader than procedural checklists.
