Exam 20: Legal Issues

A nurse places a heating pad on the lower leg of a patient with peripheral vascular disease.When the heating pad is removed,it is apparent that the patient has sustained partial-thickness burns to the area covered by the pad,and the nurse is sued for malpractice.Which statement is true?

What is a significant action a nurse can take to prevent being named in malpractice suits?

A graduate nurse is preparing to start a first nursing job.What action would be the best legal safeguard for the graduate nurse to take?

Which error in judgment would be the most serious for the nurse defendant in a legal case?

The nurse understands "scope of nursing practice" when making which of the following statements?

Which actions take place in organizations to monitor quality improvement?

Which of the following statements by the nurse indicates understanding of legal actions?

Which statement by the nurse indicates understanding of the Nurse Practice Act?

At the time of admission,a patient gave a history of allergy to penicillin that was duly noted in all critical areas of the patient's record.While giving medications,a nurse accidentally administered penicillin to this patient.The patient had a severe reaction but recovered.What is the implication of the nurse's action?

The nurse enters a patient's room to complete the discharge paperwork and finds the patient in tears.The patient reports that someone from the business office stated the patient could not leave the hospital until the bill was paid.What is the best nursing action?

During a malpractice suit,how can the standard of "what the wise and prudent nurse would do" best be established?

A nurse is giving a presentation on malpractice.Which statement indicates the nurse understands malpractice?