Chapter 04: Legal Principles in Nursing

Chapter 04: Legal Principles in Nursing

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. The State Nurse Practice Act is an example of which of the following?

ANS:   C

Nurse Practice Acts are examples of statutes enacted by state legislatures to regulate the practice of nursing.

PTS:    1                      DIF:    Cognitive Level: Knowledge             REF:    49

OBJ:    Describe the legal obligations and role of nurses regarding federal and state laws that affect health care            TOP:               Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC:   Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment

2. A student nurse has been studying hard throughout her nursing program to prepare for the licensure examination. This is an examination that she must pass before she can practice nursing in her state. NCLEX^® stands for __________ Examination.

ANS:   D

To be licensed in a state, a nurse must have a passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to obtain the initial license and meet the educational requirements set by the state.

PTS:    1                      DIF:    Cognitive Level: Knowledge             REF:    49

OBJ:    Describe the legal obligations and role of nurses regarding federal and state laws that affect health care            TOP:               Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC:   Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment

3. A registered nurse was accused of patient abandonment when she became angry, quit her job, and left the hospital before the end of her shift. This is an example of violating guidelines set by which of the following?

ANS:   C

Nurse Practice Acts permit the State Board of Nursing to set rules, regulations, and guidelines that specifically define the standard of care in nursing practice. An example is the guidelines that define patient abandonment.

PTS:    1                      DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application             REF:    49

OBJ:    Describe the legal obligations and role of nurses regarding federal and state laws that affect health care            TOP:               Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC:   Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment

4. A RN suffers from chronic back pain that was the result of an injury she suffered when pulling a patient up in bed. She is addicted to pain medication and has recently been accused of stealing narcotics. This is an example of which of the following violations of the law?

ANS:   D

A felony is a serious offense that results in significant harm to another person or to society in general. Felony crimes may carry penalties of monetary restitution, imprisonment for greater than 1 year, or death. Examples of Nurse Practice Act violations that may carry criminal penalties include practicing nursing without a license and misuse of controlled substances.

PTS:    1                      DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application             REF:    50

OBJ:    Explain the concept of negligence and identify the elements of professional negligence     TOP:            Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC:   Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment

5. A registered nurse was pulled from her normal unit to fill in for a pediatric unit. She is caring for a 16-year-old patient who refuses to cooperate for a dressing change. The nurse tells the patient that she will tie the patient down if she does not hold still. This threat is an example of which of the following?

ANS:   A

Assault is an intentional threat toward another person that gives that person a reasonable fear of harmful contact. No actual contact is required for an assault to occur. An example of an assault in nursing practice is to threaten to restrain a patient for an x-ray procedure when the patient has refused consent.

PTS:    1                      DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application             REF:    50

OBJ:    Explain the concept of negligence and identify the elements of professional negligence     TOP:            Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC:   Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment