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SNLE practice questions

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Question 1Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

Which document defines the legal boundaries of nursing practice for licensed nurses in a given jurisdiction?

  1. The hospital's employee handbook
  2. The facility's orientation manual
  3. The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics
  4. The state or provincial nurse practice act Correct answer.

Explanation

Nurse practice acts are statutory laws enacted by each jurisdiction that establish licensure requirements, legal scope of practice, and grounds for discipline. Institutional policies and professional ethics documents guide conduct but cannot expand or restrict the legal scope set by statute.

Question 2Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

A registered nurse is delegating tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel. Which task is most appropriate to delegate?

  1. Teaching a client about a new insulin regimen
  2. Administering a scheduled oral medication
  3. Measuring and recording a client's intake and output Correct answer.
  4. Performing the initial admission assessment

Explanation

Delegation to unlicensed personnel is limited to tasks that are routine, predictable, and do not require nursing judgment. Assessment, medication administration, and client teaching are professional nursing responsibilities that cannot be delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel.

Question 3Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

Which element is required before a nurse may delegate a task to another person?

  1. Approval by the client's insurance provider
  2. Written consent from the client's family
  3. A physician's order for the specific task
  4. A supervisory relationship with authority and accountability Correct answer.

Explanation

Delegation transfers the performance of a task while the delegating nurse retains accountability, so a supervisory relationship with clear authority is essential. The nurse must also ensure the delegatee has the competence, and the task must be within that person's authorized scope.

Question 4Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

A nurse is asked to perform a procedure that is not addressed in the nurse practice act or board rules. What is the best initial action?

  1. Refuse all care until the board issues a written opinion
  2. Ask an unlicensed coworker to perform the procedure instead
  3. Perform the procedure because no rule prohibits it
  4. Consult the employer's policy and the board of nursing for guidance Correct answer.

Explanation

When a task's status is unclear, the nurse should seek guidance from institutional policy and the licensing board to determine whether the activity falls within scope. Performing an unverified procedure risks harm and licensure discipline, and the nurse remains accountable for the decision.

Question 5Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

Which situation best describes a nurse functioning outside the legal scope of practice?

  1. An RN performs a task requiring skills not held and not authorized by law Correct answer.
  2. An RN documents a change in client condition promptly
  3. An RN adjusts a heparin infusion per a written protocol
  4. An RN questions an order that appears unsafe

Explanation

Practicing outside scope occurs when a nurse performs activities that are not authorized by law or for which the nurse lacks competence. Following an approved protocol, documenting changes, and questioning unsafe orders are all within the professional role.

Question 6Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

A client asks a nurse to witness an advance directive. What is the nurse's most appropriate response?

  1. Explain the document and answer questions about its meaning
  2. Refer the client to the facility's designated resources and follow policy on witnessing Correct answer.
  3. Decline and tell the client that nurses cannot discuss directives
  4. Sign as a witness and later interpret the document for the family

Explanation

Nurses should follow facility policy and jurisdictional law regarding who may witness advance directives, and they should direct clients to appropriate resources for interpretation. Providing legal interpretation of the document exceeds the nursing role.

Question 7Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

Which action best reflects the nurse's role as a client advocate?

  1. Persuading the client to follow the family's preferences
  2. Withholding information the client may find distressing
  3. Making treatment decisions on the client's behalf
  4. Supporting the client's informed choices and voicing concerns to the team Correct answer.

Explanation

Advocacy means protecting the client's right to self-determination and ensuring the client's voice is heard in care decisions. The nurse informs and supports rather than decides for the client or defers to family preferences over the client's wishes.

Question 8Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

A client with decision-making capacity refuses a prescribed blood transfusion. What is the nurse's best action?

  1. Administer the transfusion because it is prescribed
  2. Ask the family to override the refusal
  3. Delay care and avoid discussing the refusal
  4. Respect the refusal and document the client's decision Correct answer.

Explanation

A client with capacity has the legal and ethical right to refuse any treatment, even life-sustaining care. The nurse should respect and document the refusal, ensure the client is informed of consequences, and continue to provide other care.

Question 9Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

Which situation requires the nurse to obtain a new informed consent before a procedure?

  1. The client's vital signs are stable before the procedure
  2. The surgeon changes the planned procedure to a more extensive one Correct answer.
  3. The client's family arrives after the consent was signed
  4. The client asks a question the nurse can answer from the consent form

Explanation

Informed consent is procedure-specific; a change to a more extensive or different procedure requires a new consent discussion and signature. The nurse verifies consent and answers questions within scope but does not obtain the surgeon's consent.

Question 10Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

Which statement accurately describes the nurse's responsibility related to informed consent?

  1. The nurse signs the consent form as the person obtaining consent
  2. The nurse explains the risks and benefits of the procedure
  3. The nurse verifies that consent was obtained and the client understands it Correct answer.
  4. The nurse decides whether the client is competent to consent

Explanation

Obtaining informed consent is the responsibility of the provider performing the procedure; the nurse verifies that consent was given, the client understands, and the signature is present. The nurse clarifies within scope and advocates if understanding is lacking.

Question 11Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

A nurse suspects that a coworker is impaired by a substance while on duty. What is the priority action?

  1. Document the concern and discuss it at the next staff meeting
  2. Report the concern through the facility's established channel and protect client safety Correct answer.
  3. Ask the coworker to leave early without notifying anyone
  4. Confront the coworker privately and monitor for a few hours

Explanation

Impaired practice poses an immediate risk to client safety, so the nurse must report through the designated chain, such as the supervisor or employee assistance program. Protecting clients and following reporting obligations takes precedence over collegiality.

Question 12Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

Which action is most consistent with the professional obligation to report suspected abuse of a vulnerable adult?

  1. Notify the designated agency as required by law Correct answer.
  2. Investigate the allegation personally before reporting
  3. Wait for the family to request a report
  4. Document the suspicion without notifying anyone

Explanation

Mandatory reporting laws require nurses to report suspected abuse of vulnerable adults to the designated authority promptly. Nurses do not conduct investigations, which belong to protective agencies, and documentation alone does not satisfy the reporting duty.

Question 13Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

A nurse receives a verbal order from a provider for a high-alert medication. What is the safest practice?

  1. Assume the order is correct because the provider is known
  2. Accept the order and administer without documentation
  3. Read back the order to the provider and document it per policy Correct answer.
  4. Ask another nurse to transcribe the order later

Explanation

Verbal orders carry a high risk of error, so a read-back verification and prompt documentation per policy are required. This closed-loop communication confirms the order was heard correctly, especially for high-alert medications.

Question 14Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

A nurse who is floated to an unfamiliar unit is assigned a task for which the nurse lacks competence. What is the nurse's best action?

  1. Refuse all assignments on the unit
  2. Accept the assignment to avoid conflict
  3. Perform the task and ask for help afterward
  4. Report the concern to the charge nurse and request appropriate orientation or reassignment Correct answer.

Explanation

A nurse is accountable for practicing only within personal competence, so concerns should be raised before accepting a task outside that competence. The charge nurse can provide orientation, supervision, or reassignment to protect client safety.

Question 15Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

Which behavior by a nurse constitutes professional boundary crossing that should be addressed?

  1. Providing care according to the plan of care
  2. Sharing personal financial problems in detail with a client Correct answer.
  3. Attending an interprofessional care conference
  4. Documenting care objectively in the record

Explanation

Boundary crossings occur when the nurse's personal needs intrude on the professional relationship, such as disclosing intimate personal problems to a client. Professional boundaries keep the relationship focused on the client's needs.

Question 16Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

A nurse who is the subject of a board of nursing complaint should take which action first?

  1. Ignore the complaint until a hearing is scheduled
  2. Contact the board and follow its instructions while seeking appropriate support Correct answer.
  3. Discuss the complaint details publicly to gain support
  4. Alter the medical record to clarify events

Explanation

Responding to the board of nursing through the required process and obtaining appropriate guidance protects the nurse's rights. Ignoring the complaint or altering records can worsen the outcome and may constitute separate violations.

Question 17Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

Which statement best describes the concept of accountability in nursing practice?

  1. Following orders without evaluating their appropriateness
  2. Answering only to the physician for care decisions
  3. Being answerable for one's own actions and the outcomes of care Correct answer.
  4. Delegating responsibility so others bear the consequences

Explanation

Accountability means the nurse is answerable for personal actions, decisions, and their outcomes, and cannot transfer that accountability through delegation. It requires critical evaluation of orders and care rather than blind compliance.

Question 18Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

A client lacks decision-making capacity and has no advance directive or surrogate. Which approach best guides the nurse and team?

  1. Follow the treatment preferences of the client's closest friend
  2. Proceed with any treatment without further review
  3. Use the jurisdiction's default decision-making hierarchy and best-interest standard Correct answer.
  4. Delay all care until the client regains capacity

Explanation

When a client lacks capacity and has no designated surrogate, law and policy typically specify a hierarchy of substitute decision-makers and a best-interest standard. The team should follow that framework rather than informal preferences or indefinite delay of needed care.

Question 19Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

Which action by a nurse best demonstrates the ethical principle of veracity?

  1. Telling the client the truth about a medication error that affected them Correct answer.
  2. Documenting a finding that was not assessed
  3. Exaggerating the benefits of a treatment to gain consent
  4. Withholding an error to prevent client distress

Explanation

Veracity is the duty to tell the truth, which includes disclosing errors that affect the client. Honest disclosure supports trust and allows the client to make informed decisions about care.

Question 20Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

A nurse is caring for a client whose cultural beliefs conflict with a prescribed dietary plan. What is the most appropriate nursing action?

  1. Ignore the client's beliefs and document noncompliance
  2. Ask the family to convince the client to comply
  3. Insist on the prescribed diet to ensure compliance
  4. Explore the client's beliefs and collaborate with the team on a culturally acceptable plan Correct answer.

Explanation

Culturally congruent care requires the nurse to assess the client's beliefs and collaborate with the interprofessional team to find an acceptable plan. Imposing the plan or enlisting family pressure disregards the client's values and autonomy.

Question 21Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

Which nursing action reflects the standard of maintaining client confidentiality?

  1. Sharing client information only with those involved in the client's care Correct answer.
  2. Discussing a client's diagnosis in a public elevator
  3. Posting de-identified details on social media without consent
  4. Reviewing a celebrity client's record out of curiosity

Explanation

Confidentiality requires sharing protected health information only on a need-to-know basis for care, treatment, or legally required purposes. Curiosity, public discussion, and social media sharing violate privacy obligations even when details seem minor.

Question 22Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

A nurse is asked to sign a consent form for a research study on behalf of a client who is confused. What is the nurse's best response?

  1. Explain that the nurse cannot consent for the client and notify the investigator Correct answer.
  2. Ask another nurse to sign as a witness in place of consent
  3. Proceed with study procedures until a surrogate is found
  4. Sign the form because the study may benefit the client

Explanation

Consent for research must come from the client or a legally authorized representative, and the nurse cannot consent on the client's behalf. The nurse should notify the investigator so the proper surrogate consent process can occur.

Question 23Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

Which statement best describes the role of a nurse who is a mandated reporter of suspected child abuse?

  1. The nurse must confirm abuse before reporting
  2. The nurse reports reasonable suspicion to the designated agency Correct answer.
  3. The nurse reports only if the family agrees
  4. The nurse may defer reporting to the family's physician

Explanation

Mandated reporting laws require nurses to report reasonable suspicion of child abuse to the designated agency; confirmation is not the nurse's responsibility. Reporting does not require family agreement and should not be deferred when a duty exists.

Question 24Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

A nurse is reviewing a provider's order that appears incorrect for the client's weight-based dose. What is the most appropriate initial action?

  1. Clarify the order with the prescribing provider before administration Correct answer.
  2. Change the dose independently to a safer amount
  3. Ask an unlicensed assistant to verify the dose
  4. Administer the medication as ordered to avoid delay

Explanation

When an order appears unsafe, the nurse must clarify it with the prescriber before administration rather than proceed or self-adjust. The nurse is accountable for safe medication practice and cannot delegate verification to unlicensed staff.

Question 25Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

Which action best demonstrates the nurse's duty to maintain professional competence?

  1. Completing required continuing education and validating new skills Correct answer.
  2. Relying on skills learned years ago without update
  3. Avoiding feedback on clinical performance
  4. Assuming new technology works without training

Explanation

Professional competence is a continuing obligation maintained through education, skill validation, and reflective practice. Relying on outdated skills or avoiding training and feedback places clients at risk and may violate licensure requirements.

Question 26Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

A registered nurse delegates the task of measuring vital signs for a stable client to a nursing assistant. Which element of the delegation process is the nurse primarily responsible for retaining?

  1. Selection of the assistant's work schedule
  2. Direct performance of the delegated measurement
  3. Documentation of the task by the assistant
  4. Accountability for the client's overall nursing outcome Correct answer.

Explanation

Under delegation principles, the nurse may transfer the task but retains accountability for the client's care and outcome. The nurse must still assess, supervise, and evaluate the delegated work. The task itself can be performed by the delegate, but responsibility for the decision and outcome stays with the nurse.

Question 27Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

A nurse is asked by a client's adult child to explain the client's recent laboratory results. The client is alert and has not authorized disclosure. What is the nurse's best response?

  1. Refer the child to the laboratory for the results
  2. Give a general summary without specific numbers
  3. Provide the results because the child is immediate family
  4. Explain that results can be shared only with the client's permission Correct answer.

Explanation

Confidentiality protects a competent adult's health information, and disclosure to family requires the client's authorization. Being a relative does not create an automatic right to protected information. The nurse should protect the client's privacy and direct any discussion back to the client's consent.

Question 28Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

A nurse is assigned a client whose care requires a skill the nurse has not been trained to perform. According to scope-of-practice principles, what is the nurse's most appropriate action?

  1. Decline the assignment and notify the charge nurse so arrangements can be made Correct answer.
  2. Perform the skill and review the procedure afterward
  3. Perform the skill while another nurse observes
  4. Ask the client to consent to the nurse learning on the job

Explanation

A nurse must practice within personal competence and the legal scope of practice. When a required skill exceeds the nurse's training, the nurse should decline and report the gap so safe coverage can be arranged. Learning through unsupervised trial on a client is not acceptable practice.

Question 29Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

A nurse practitioner and a registered nurse are discussing which provider may independently prescribe a medication in a given state. Which factor most directly determines this authority?

  1. The client's insurance plan
  2. The accreditation status of the nursing school attended
  3. The hospital's formulary committee
  4. The state's nurse practice act and related regulations Correct answer.

Explanation

Each state's nurse practice act, along with its regulations, defines the scope of practice for nursing roles, including prescriptive authority. Facility policies and payer rules operate within that legal framework but cannot expand it. Education and accreditation affect eligibility, not the legal authority itself.

Question 30Professional Nursing Practice and Scope of Practice

During a shift, a nurse documents an assessment in a client's record. The client later asks to see the record. Which principle best guides the nurse's response?

  1. The record belongs to the facility, but the client generally has a legal right to access their own information Correct answer.
  2. Access is unrestricted because the record is a public document
  3. The record is the property of the client, who may access it on request
  4. The nurse personally owns the record and may decide who views it

Explanation

The physical or electronic record is generally owned by the facility, but clients have a legal right to access their own health information under privacy law. The nurse should follow facility policy for processing the request. Neither the nurse nor the public has ownership or unrestricted access.

Question 31Legal and Regulatory Requirements in Nursing

A nurse is asked to describe the primary purpose of nurse practice acts. Which statement is most accurate?

  1. They govern the reimbursement rates paid by insurers to nurses.
  2. They set the salary schedule for nurses employed in hospitals.
  3. They establish the curriculum for all nursing education programs nationwide.
  4. They define the legal scope of nursing practice and protect public safety. Correct answer.

Explanation

Nurse practice acts are state statutes that define nursing scope, establish licensure requirements, and exist primarily to protect the public. They do not set wages, national curricula, or insurance reimbursement.

Question 32Legal and Regulatory Requirements in Nursing

A registered nurse is licensed in one state and wishes to practice in another state that participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact. What is the correct understanding of how the compact works?

  1. The compact license applies only to advanced practice registered nurses.
  2. The nurse must obtain a separate license in every state where care is provided.
  3. The compact permits practice in any state regardless of membership.
  4. A multistate license allows practice in all compact member states. Correct answer.

Explanation

The Nurse Licensure Compact allows a nurse holding a multistate license from a compact member state to practice in other member states without obtaining additional licenses. It applies to RNs and LPN/VNs, not only APRNs, and does not extend to non-member states.

Question 33Legal and Regulatory Requirements in Nursing

A nurse suspects that a colleague is practicing while impaired by alcohol. Which action best reflects the nurse's legal and professional obligation?

  1. Document the suspicion in the patient record and take no further action.
  2. Report the concern through the facility's established channels to protect patients. Correct answer.
  3. Confront the colleague privately and agree to keep the matter confidential.
  4. Wait until patient harm occurs before notifying anyone.

Explanation

Nurses have a duty to protect patients and are typically mandated to report impaired practice through established organizational or board channels. Confidentiality promises and waiting for harm to occur conflict with that duty.

Question 34Legal and Regulatory Requirements in Nursing

Which element is generally required to establish professional negligence (malpractice) in nursing?

  1. A duty of care existed, the duty was breached, and the breach caused injury. Correct answer.
  2. The nurse intended to cause the patient harm.
  3. The nurse documented care in a manner the patient disliked.
  4. The patient experienced an unfavorable outcome regardless of care.

Explanation

Malpractice requires four elements: duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages. Intent to harm and mere unfavorable outcomes are not required or sufficient.

Question 35Legal and Regulatory Requirements in Nursing

A competent adult patient refuses a prescribed blood transfusion that the nurse believes is necessary. What is the nurse's most appropriate legal response?

  1. Ask a family member to sign consent on the patient's behalf.
  2. Administer the transfusion because the physician ordered it.
  3. Obtain a court order before informing the patient of risks.
  4. Respect the refusal and document the patient's decision and teaching. Correct answer.

Explanation

A competent adult has the right to refuse treatment, including life-sustaining treatment. The nurse should respect the decision, ensure informed refusal, and document the discussion.

Question 36Legal and Regulatory Requirements in Nursing

Which situation requires the nurse to obtain informed consent before a procedure?

  1. Turning a patient to prevent pressure injury.
  2. Assessing vital signs during a routine round.
  3. Performing a scheduled surgical procedure under anesthesia. Correct answer.
  4. Inserting a peripheral IV line for hydration.

Explanation

Informed consent is required for invasive procedures and treatments with material risks, such as surgery under anesthesia. Routine nursing care and assessments are generally covered by general admission consent.

Question 37Legal and Regulatory Requirements in Nursing

A patient's medical record is requested by a third party without the patient's authorization. What is the nurse's best understanding of the applicable federal law?

  1. Privacy protections end when the patient is discharged.
  2. Only the physician, not the nurse, is bound by privacy law.
  3. HIPAA generally prohibits disclosure of protected health information without authorization or a legal exception. Correct answer.
  4. The record may be released to any family member who asks.

Explanation

HIPAA protects individually identifiable health information and generally requires patient authorization or a recognized legal exception before disclosure. All workforce members, including nurses, are bound.

Question 38Legal and Regulatory Requirements in Nursing

A nurse is served with a subpoena duces tecum for a patient's records in a legal case. What is the most appropriate initial action?

  1. Ignore the subpoena because patient records are confidential.
  2. Immediately send copies of the record to the requesting attorney.
  3. Follow facility policy and legal counsel guidance before releasing records. Correct answer.
  4. Alter the record to remove sensitive entries before release.

Explanation

A subpoena must be handled according to facility policy and legal review, which verifies validity and authorization. Records should never be altered, and ignoring a subpoena can carry legal consequences.

Question 39Legal and Regulatory Requirements in Nursing

Which action best describes the nurse's role in preventing a breach of confidentiality when discussing a patient in a public area?

  1. Use the patient's full name so staff can identify the case.
  2. Discuss only the minimum necessary information in a private setting. Correct answer.
  3. Post updates on a unit whiteboard visible to all.
  4. Share details with visitors who appear concerned about the patient.

Explanation

The minimum necessary standard and private discussion settings reduce inappropriate disclosure of protected health information. Identifying details should be shared only with those who need them for care.

Question 40Legal and Regulatory Requirements in Nursing

A nurse delegates a task to unlicensed assistive personnel. Which principle governs the nurse's legal accountability?

  1. The nurse may delegate any task, including those requiring nursing judgment.
  2. The unlicensed assistive personnel assumes all legal responsibility once the task is delegated.
  3. Delegation removes the nurse's responsibility for patient assessment.
  4. The nurse retains accountability for the appropriate delegation and the outcome of the task. Correct answer.

Explanation

The delegating nurse remains accountable for determining that the task is appropriate, providing supervision, and ensuring follow-up. Tasks requiring nursing judgment cannot be delegated to unlicensed personnel.

Question 41Legal and Regulatory Requirements in Nursing

Which statement accurately describes the legal status of a student nurse providing patient care?

  1. The student is held to a lower standard of care than a licensed nurse.
  2. The student is personally responsible for acts performed and is held to the standard of a competent nurse. Correct answer.
  3. The student's instructor assumes sole liability for all student actions.
  4. The student cannot be held liable for any errors during clinical training.

Explanation

Student nurses are accountable for their own actions and are generally held to the standard of a reasonably competent nurse. Instructors and facilities may share liability, but the student is not exempt.

Question 42Legal and Regulatory Requirements in Nursing

A patient is admitted with an involuntary hold under state mental health law. Which statement best reflects the nurse's legal obligation?

  1. The patient loses all rights to refuse treatment while hospitalized.
  2. The patient retains rights except those specifically limited by law, and the nurse must follow legal procedures. Correct answer.
  3. The hold permits indefinite detention without further review.
  4. The nurse may restrain the patient at will to maintain unit order.

Explanation

Involuntary commitment limits specific liberties according to statutory procedures while preserving other patient rights. Restraint use and continued detention are governed by law and require justification and review.

Question 43Legal and Regulatory Requirements in Nursing

Which of the following is a recognized exception to the requirement for patient authorization before disclosure of health information?

  1. A coworker requests information out of curiosity.
  2. Reporting suspected child abuse as required by state law. Correct answer.
  3. A marketing firm requests contact information.
  4. A neighbor asks about the patient's diagnosis.

Explanation

Mandatory reporting of suspected abuse is a legally required disclosure that falls within recognized exceptions to authorization. Curiosity, neighbor inquiries, and marketing requests do not qualify.

Question 44Legal and Regulatory Requirements in Nursing

A nurse witnesses a coworker administer the wrong medication but does not report it. Under an incident reporting system, what is the primary purpose of the report the nurse should have filed?

  1. To improve safety systems and prevent recurrence. Correct answer.
  2. To satisfy insurance billing requirements.
  3. To assign individual blame and discipline.
  4. To create evidence for future litigation against the patient.

Explanation

Incident reports are quality improvement tools designed to identify system issues and prevent future errors. They are not intended primarily to assign blame or support billing.

Question 45Legal and Regulatory Requirements in Nursing

Which action constitutes false imprisonment in a healthcare setting?

  1. Keeping a patient in a locked unit under a valid involuntary hold.
  2. Applying a physician-ordered restraint with proper monitoring.
  3. Preventing a competent patient from leaving against medical advice without legal justification. Correct answer.
  4. Requiring a patient to sign a financial responsibility form.

Explanation

False imprisonment is the intentional confinement of a person without legal justification or consent. Lawful restraints and valid involuntary holds are legally justified, whereas blocking a competent patient's departure without authority is not.

Question 46Legal and Regulatory Requirements in Nursing

A nurse touches a patient without consent during a procedure in a manner that is offensive and unwarranted. This act may be classified as which intentional tort?

  1. Invasion of privacy
  2. Defamation
  3. Battery Correct answer.
  4. Negligence

Explanation

Battery is intentional harmful or offensive contact without consent. Defamation involves false statements harming reputation, negligence involves breach of duty, and invasion of privacy involves intrusion into private matters.

Question 47Legal and Regulatory Requirements in Nursing

A nurse is caring for a patient who speaks limited English and is scheduled for a procedure requiring informed consent. What is the legally appropriate approach?

  1. Have a family member who speaks English interpret the consent discussion.
  2. Proceed with the procedure because consent forms are standardized.
  3. Use a qualified medical interpreter to ensure understanding before consent. Correct answer.
  4. Ask the patient to sign without discussion to save time.

Explanation

Informed consent requires that the patient understand the information, which generally necessitates a qualified interpreter when language barriers exist. Using family members, especially children, or omitting discussion undermines valid consent.

Question 48Legal and Regulatory Requirements in Nursing

Which federal law requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause serious harm, including needlestick risks?

  1. OSHA Correct answer.
  2. PSDA
  3. HIPAA
  4. EMTALA

Explanation

The Occupational Safety and Health Act, enforced by OSHA, requires employers to provide a safe workplace and includes the bloodborne pathogens standard addressing needlestick hazards. EMTALA, HIPAA, and the PSDA address different areas.

Question 49Legal and Regulatory Requirements in Nursing

A patient presents to the emergency department in active labor and is uninsured. Under EMTALA, what is the hospital's obligation?

  1. Provide an appropriate medical screening examination and stabilizing treatment. Correct answer.
  2. Require prepayment before any assessment.
  3. Deny care because the patient lacks insurance.
  4. Transfer the patient immediately to a public clinic.

Explanation

EMTALA requires Medicare-participating hospitals with emergency departments to provide a medical screening examination and stabilizing treatment regardless of insurance status. Transfer or denial based on payment violates the law.

Question 50Legal and Regulatory Requirements in Nursing

A patient asks the nurse about completing an advance directive. Which law requires healthcare facilities to inform patients of their rights regarding advance directives?

  1. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
  2. Nurse Licensure Compact
  3. Americans with Disabilities Act
  4. Patient Self-Determination Act Correct answer.

Explanation

The Patient Self-Determination Act requires facilities receiving Medicare/Medicaid funds to inform patients of their right to make healthcare decisions and complete advance directives. The other laws address licensure, disability rights, and privacy.