ATI LPN
Ethical and Legal Issues in Healthcare Questions
Question 1 of 5
A 12-year-old girl presents with severe right lower-quadrant abdominal pain and marked tenderness and is found to have acute appendicitis. The child is at a sleep away camp. You are not able to locate her parents. They are not at home and you cannot reach them on the cell phone. The camp counselor and the director of the camp bring in the child. What should you do?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In emergencies, treatment can proceed without consent to prevent harm, with parents notified later.
Question 2 of 5
A 68-year-old man is brought to the hospital due to 2 days of progressive shortness of breath and cough. He has a history of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and has had multiple recent exacerbations and several hospitalizations over the past year. During his last hospitalization, he had acute respiratory failure requiring endotracheal intubation. This prompted the patient to make a living will specifying that he does not want any resuscitative measures or invasive therapies in the event of a life-threatening emergency. On examination, he is lethargic and arousable only to noxious physical stimuli. His temperature is $37.2 \mathrm{C}(99 \mathrm{~F})$, blood pressure is $132 / 70 \mathrm{~mm} \mathrm{Hg}$, pulse is $102 / \mathrm{min}$, and respirations are $32 / \mathrm{min}$. Examination reveals diffusely decreased breath sounds, bilateral expiratory wheezes, and labored breathing. It is determined that he lacks decision-making capacity. His daughter says, 'I have been taking care of my father for many years and I know him better than anyone. He would not want any aggressive measures. Please just make him comfortable.' However, the patient's wife demands that everything be done to save her husband's life, including intubation if necessary. She insists that she knows what her husband would have wanted and threatens to file a lawsuit. Which of the following interventions is the most appropriate next step?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The living will reflects the patient's wishes and takes precedence over family disagreement.
Question 3 of 5
A medical resident on call is asked to see a 72-year-old woman who has a headache. The medical record indicates that she was admitted 5 days ago after a fall that caused a hip fracture requiring surgical correction. The patient developed postoperative chest pain and was transferred to the medical service for further care. She is stabilized and receiving morphine for her pain but frequently calls nurses to say that she is uncomfortable. According to the nurse, the patient developed an intermittent headache earlier in the day that recurred an hour ago after her daughter called to say she would be unable to visit today. When she sees the resident, the patient snaps, 'You look so young. I hope you know what you're doing.' The resident asks a few questions about her headache, but she gives very little information. When the resident attempts to perform a basic physical examination, the patient yells, 'Don't touch me. I'm going to complain to the hospital administrators about you because you have no idea how to properly deal with a patient.' Which of the following is the most appropriate response?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Acknowledging distress and asking open-ended questions defuses anger and preserves the relationship.
Question 4 of 5
The Nurse Practice Act and American Disability Act is what kind of law?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Nurse Practice Act and the American Disability Act are both examples of statutory laws. Statutory laws are laws enacted by a legislative body, such as a state or federal government, and are written down in a formal document. These laws are created to regulate specific areas of society, such as healthcare or civil rights, and are enforceable by the legal system. The Nurse Practice Act governs the practice of nursing, while the American Disability Act protects the rights of individuals with disabilities.
Question 5 of 5
This crime has fines or imprisonment of less than 1 year
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A misdemeanor is a type of crime that typically carries less severe penalties compared to felonies. It is characterized by fines or imprisonment of less than one year. This means that the given crime falls under the category of a misdemeanor, which is a less serious offense than a felony. It is important to note that misdemeanors are generally considered less severe crimes and are punishable by fines, probation, community service, or short-term incarceration.