Chapter 02: Legal and Ethical Aspects of Nursing

Chapter 02: Legal and Ethical Aspects of Nursing

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. When a nurse becomes involved in a legal action, the first step to occur is that a document is filed in an appropriate court. This document is called a(n):

ANS:   C

A document called a complaint is filed in an appropriate court as the first step in litigation.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis      REF:    Page 23           OBJ:    1

TOP:    Legal   KEY:   Nursing Process Step: N/A     MSC:   NCLEX: N/A

2. Assuming responsibility for a patient’s care forms a legally binding situation described as:

ANS:   A

When the nurse assumes responsibility for a patient’s care, the nurse-patient relationship is formed. This is a legally binding “contract” for which the nurse must take responsibility.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis      REF:    Page 24           OBJ:    2

TOP:    Legal   KEY:   Nursing Process Step: N/A     MSC:   NCLEX: N/A

3. Universal guidelines that define appropriate measures for all nursing interventions that should be observed during the performance of those interventions are known as:

ANS:   C

Standards of care define actions that are permitted or prohibited in most nursing interventions. These standards are accepted as legal guidelines for appropriateness of performance.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis      REF:    Page 22           OBJ:    3

TOP:    Legal   KEY:   Nursing Process Step: N/A     MSC:   NCLEX: N/A

4. The laws that formally define and limit the scope of nursing practice in that state are the:

ANS:   D

It is the nurse’s responsibility to know the nurse practice act in his or her state.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application REF:    Page 25           OBJ:    4

TOP:    Legal   KEY:   Nursing Process Step: N/A     MSC:   NCLEX: N/A

5. A nurse who failed to irrigate a feeding tube as ordered resulting in harm to the patient could be found guilty of:

ANS:   A

The nurse can be held liable for malpractice for acts of omission. Failure to meet a legal duty, thus causing harm to another, is malpractice. The Nurse Practice Act has general guidelines that can support the charge of malpractice.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis      REF:    Page 26           OBJ:    5

TOP:    Legal   KEY:   Nursing Process Step: N/A     MSC:   NCLEX: N/A