ATI LPN
Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition
Chapter 5 : Legal and Ethical Issues Questions
Question 1 of 5
The LPN is working in a perioperative setting, and formalin is being used in an unvented room that could result in a health hazard to the other staff as well as clients. The nurse is aware that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is an agency that will fine the hospital for this type of infraction. What type of law does the LPN understand empowers OSHA to regulate for the health, welfare, and safety of federal and state citizens?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Statutory law empowers regulatory agencies to create and carry out the laws. These federal and regulatory agencies practice administrative law, the rules and regulations that concern the health, welfare, and safety of federal and state citizens. For example, OSHA is the federal agency that develops the rules and regulations governing workplace safety. Common law is based on earlier court decisions, judgments, and decrees. Civil law applies to disputes that arise between individual citizens. Criminal law concerns offenses that violate the public's welfare.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse overhears the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) tell an older adult client loudly, 'If you don't get in that bed, I will throw you in there and tie you down so that you don't get up again!' What type of intentional tort does the nurse understand that the UAP has committed?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Assault is an act that involves a threat or attempt to do bodily harm. Types of assault include physical intimidation, verbal remarks, or gestures that lead the client to believe that force or injury may be forthcoming. Battery is actual physical contact with another person without that person's consent. False imprisonment occurs when healthcare workers physically or chemically restrain an individual from leaving a healthcare institution.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is caring for an alert and oriented client in the hospital. The client is unhappy with the care the hospital is giving and states they are leaving the hospital. The nurse brings the client a sedative and tells the client that it is for blood pressure to prevent the client from leaving the facility. What type of intentional tort is this nurse guilty of?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: False imprisonment occurs when healthcare workers physically or chemically restrain an individual from leaving a healthcare institution. A nurse cannot detain a competent client who wishes to leave a hospital or long-term care facility before being discharged by the physician. The client may sign an against medical advice form that releases the hospital from liability. Assault is an act that involves a threat or attempt to do bodily harm. Battery is actual physical contact with another person without that person's consent. Invasion of privacy means the failure of the right to expect that the clients and their property will be left alone.
Question 4 of 5
The LPN was assisting a client with a bath, and some of the bathwater spilled on the floor. The nurse assisted the client back to the bed and left the room, forgetting to clean the spill. The client got out of the bed to use the bedside commode and slipped on the water, leading to a hip fracture. What type of unintentional tort may the client sue the nurse for?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Negligence describes the failure to act as a reasonable person would have acted in a similar situation. If harm results from the action, a person may sue that individual for negligence. The nurse was negligent in not cleaning up the spill and caused the client harm. Battery, assault, and false imprisonments are all intentional torts.
Question 5 of 5
The LPN has the responsibility to take the vital signs for a client who had a surgical procedure earlier that day. The blood pressure results were 78/42 mm Hg from a previous 132/74 mm Hg. The LPN documented the results without reporting them to the RN in charge. The client developed shock and died 3 hours later. What type of unintentional tort may the nurse be sued for?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The law defines malpractice as professional negligence. It refers to harm that result from a licensed person's actions or lack of action. A jury must determine if the responsible person's conduct deviated from the standard expected of others with similar education and experience. All other answers are intentional torts.