Chapter 3: ethics and law

Question 1

standards of care

Answer 1

adopted by each level of nursing practice by its governing organizations

Question 2

Nurse Practice Act

Answer 2

• each state has its own
• dictates the acceptable scope of nursing practice
• determines how nurses are judged on scope of practice (what other nurses at this level of practice would reasonably be expected to do)

Question 3

ethics

Answer 3

conducting yourself in a manner that reflects fundamental moral principles that govern behavior

Question 4

types of ethical principles

Answer 4

autonomy
beneficence
nonmaleficence
justice
veracity (honesty)
fidelity

Question 5

culture of nurses

Answer 5

nonphysical traits, values, and traditions passed down over several generations, making professions ‘cultures’
- individual beliefs must meld in order to maintain the profession

Question 6

evidence-based practice (EBP)

Answer 6

practices found through research that provide a positive outcome when applied to patient care

Question 7

standard of care

Answer 7

• the national Association of LIcensed Practice Nurses has adopted Standards of nursing practice that include a code of conduct
• the American Nurses Association has written about standards of care regarding topics important to the nursing profession, some relevant to LPNs

Question 8

the nurse practice act

Answer 8

• dictates the acceptable scope of nursing practice for the different levels of nursing
• when a nurse is questioning whether or not to perform a certain skill or perhaps accused of wrongdoing, he NPA typically is consulted to find out if that nurse is performing at the accepted level of preparation

Question 9

confidentiality

Answer 9

• nurses are usually not included under the Doctrine of Privileged Information
• Inform patient if something might have to be passed on to someone else (parent, police, doctor, etc.)
• be honest/communicate therapeutically
• keep notes and charts private

Question 10

HIPAA

Answer 10

• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, effective April 2003
• National standards regarding electronic transmission and communication of medical information between providers, employers, insurers, and patients
• not usually applicable to workers’ comp at this time

Question 11

the Joint Commission

Answer 11

• leading national accrediting body for hospitals and health-care organizations
• hospitals, LTC facilities able to be cerified

Question 12

goals of the Joint Commission

Answer 12

• accreditation/excellence of care
• reducing risk for unfavorable patient outcomes
• encouraging continuous quality improvement

Question 13

responsibility/accountability

Answer 13

• component of professionalism
• key concept at all levels of nursing
• registered nurse responsibilities differ from LPNs
• be responsible to self as well as patients, coworkers, family, and others

Question 14

Good samaritan law

Answer 14

• usually does not cover nurses while performing the duties of the job; will usually protect nurses OFF duty

Question 15

commitment (voluntary or involuntary)

Answer 15

state by state

Question 16

patient advocacy

Answer 16

nurses usually are “mandated reports” for abuse, neglect, etc.

Question 17

involuntary commitment

Answer 17

regulated by the state for a person who will be hospitalized against their own will. The person’s behavior has been determined as potentially dangerous to themselves or to others

Question 18

voluntary commitment

Answer 18

to a person who realizes that they need help and volunteer to enter a facility to seek help

Question 19

patient rights

Answer 19

• written to protect people receiving care in health care facilities
• each state has its own guidelines
• healthcare facilities must display the “Patient’s Bill of Rights” in a prominent place

Question 20

most commonly adopted patient rights

Answer 20

• treatment in the least restrictive alternative
• freedom from restraints/seclusions
• give or refuse consent for medications
• access to personal belongings
• daily exercise
• visitor
• writing materials
• uncensored mail
• courts and attorneys
• employment compensations
• confidentiality
• informed of their rights

Question 21

patient advocacy

Answer 21

• healthcare providers are responsible for protecting their patients
• all abuse must be reported
• it is a moral and legal obligation to report any known abuse or suspected abuse