ATI LPN
Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition
Chapter 5 : Legal and Ethical Issues Questions
Question 1 of 5
An LPN is at a community softball game observing the game when a person sitting nearby clutches the chest and falls to the ground. The nurse begins cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and in the process, one of the person's ribs cracks. The client is taken by rescue squad to the hospital and survives a heart attack. What may protect the nurse from this outcome?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Many states have enacted Good Samaritan laws, which provide legal immunity for rescuers who provide first aid to accident victims in an emergency. The law defines an emergency as one occurring outside a hospital, not in an emergency department. Statute of limitations is the designated time in which a person can file a lawsuit. Assumption of risk is if a client is forewarned of a potential safety hazard and chooses to ignore the warning; the court may hold the client responsible. The state board of nursing would not be involved unless the nurse was reported for negligent or care outside of the scope of practice.
Question 2 of 5
The LPN administered a medication to a client reporting pain. When checking the armband and the medication administration record, there were no allergies listed. The client then tells the nurse of having informed the admitting nurse of being allergic to that medication. What documentation on the incident form would be the best option?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Healthcare workers complete incident reports when they make or discover errors or when an event occurs that results in harm. The first option is concise and to the point without any accusation. The LPN's documentation should not accuse the admitting nurse of failure to document. The LPN's documentation should not judge the client's statement nor place blame on the client. The LPN's documentation also should not place the blame on oneself.
Question 3 of 5
A client has designated a family member as a person to make healthcare decisions for the client if the client is not able to do so. What type of advance directive is this considered?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A client may designate another person to be the DPOA for healthcare or healthcare proxy. This person has the authority to make healthcare decisions for the client if the client is no longer competent or able to make these decisions. A general power of attorney does not give that designated person the ability to make healthcare decision. In a DNR order, the client wishes to have no resuscitative action taken in the event of a cardiac or respiratory arrest. A living will is a document that states a client's wishes regarding healthcare if the client is terminally ill.
Question 4 of 5
A client who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer states wanting no further treatment and also informs the physician of not wanting any resuscitative action taken if the client experiences a cardiac or respiratory arrest. What type of order does the nurse anticipate the physician will write?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: DNR orders are written when clients wish to have no resuscitative action taken if they experience cardiac or respiratory arrest. Intubation, mechanical ventilation, emergency medications, and do everything but resuscitate are measures that are against the client's wishes.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse has a client who is confused and disrupting the unit by screaming obscenities and making a lot of noise. The client has been medicated as prescribed but is not responding to the sedation. The other clients on the unit are reporting agitation. The nurse makes the decision to move the client to a location further down the hall where there are fewer clients. What theory of ethics is the nurse demonstrating?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Utilitarianism is an outcome-oriented approach for decision making. There are two important principles: 'the greatest good for the greatest number' and 'the end justifies the means.' Deontology argues that consequences are not the only important consideration in ethical dilemmas. The idea of rights and the obligation of duty are not theories.