Chapter 5 Flashcards
Which of the following is an aspect of self-regulation?
a. Setting standards of entry into a profession
b. Representing coworkers during disciplinary meetings with an employer
c. Self-evaluating practice
d. Determining the length of shift
ANS: A
Correct A: Self-regulation is a privilege granted to a profession by a provincial or territorial government. Setting standards of entry into the profession is one aspect of self-regulation.
Which of the following clarifies the nature and scope of nursing practice?
a. A provincial regulatory body
b. A national nursing association
c. A nurse practitioner regulation
d. The Criminal Code of Canada
ANS: A
Correct A: A provincial regulatory body (or the legislation under which it falls) will describe and define the nature and scope of nursing practice.
What is the main difference between a two-tier regulatory system for nurses and a single-tier system?
a. A two-tier system ensures due process in the complaint resolution process.
b. A single-tier system does not deal with complaints about a nurse’s practice.
c. A single-tier system is not self-regulatory.
d. A two-tier system has a regulatory branch underneath a higher-level body.
ANS: D
Correct D: A two-tier system has a regulatory branch underneath a higher-level body. The higher-level body may be involved with complaints and appeal and may have a broader scope than nursing alone. In a single-tier system, a provincially created regulatory body has a complete legislative mandate.
Which of the following is an objective of a nursing regulatory body?
a. The regulation of nursing education
b. The promotion and advancement of nursing regulation issues on a national level
c. The day-to-day governance of the affairs of the regulatory body
d. The support of a high-quality and publicly funded health system
ANS: A
Correct A: Regulating education, nursing roles, scope of practice, entry into the profession, standards of practice, complaints processes, and discipline of members are all objectives of a nursing regulatory body.
A nurse who continues to practise while under suspension is guilty of which of the following?
a. Professional negligence
b. Professional incompetence
c. Professional misrepresentation
d. Professional misconduct
ANS: D
Correct D: Under most provincial laws, a nurse who continues to practise while under suspension is guilty of professional misconduct.
Which of the following sequences best describes the investigation process of disciplinary and competency matters?
a. Complaint, investigation, interim investigation, disciplinary committee
b. Complaint, disciplinary committee, investigation, discipline
c. Interim investigation, complaint, investigation, discipline
d. Discipline, complaint, interim investigation, investigation
ANS: A
Correct A: A written complaint relating to alleged professional misconduct is received by the regulatory body. A preliminary investigation verifies if the complaint is well founded. If the complaint is well founded, it is referred for an interim investigation to a disciplinary committee or professional conduct committee. Before a hearing is scheduled to consider the matter, the disciplinary committee will notify the nurse against whom the claim was brought. Then the committee, after hearing the evidence, will make its decision.
A nurse teaches an unregulated care provider to administer medication through a nasogastric tube. Which of the following terms describes this nurse’s actions?
a. Assignment
b. Delegation
c. Reassignment
d. Regulation
ANS: B
Correct B: Allowing a nonqualified person to perform specific controlled acts is known as delegation.
What is the main purpose of having nursing students and nurses seeking employment complete a criminal background check?
a. To exclude anyone with a criminal record from practising nursing or entering the profession
b. To avoid threats to the safety of vulnerable patients
c. To identify those at risk for misappropriating narcotics
d. To keep records on the number of nurses with criminal records
ANS: B
Correct B: A person would be excluded from the profession of nursing if her criminal record indicates she poses a threat to the safety of vulnerable patients.
Professional standards and practice standards of a nursing regulatory body describe the ability and functioning of the majority of registrants.
ANS: F
Correct: The standards describe the minimum expectations of registrants; however, the majority of registrants exceed the minimum expectations for practice.
The use of registration assures the public that nurses meet appropriate standards and can safely practise.
ANS: T
Correct: Through registration, the member is recognized as a person who is then authorized to practise nursing in the particular province or territory concerned. The use of registration assures the public that nurses meet appropriate standards and can safely practise.
The investigation of a nurse’s fitness and capacity to practise indicates a likelihood of professional misconduct.
ANS: F
Correct: Investigation may reveal concern about a nurse’s physical or mental abilities, and does not necessarily indicate incompetence or misconduct. Physical or psychological examinations may be required.
The terms “controlled acts” and “reserved acts” are specific to the nursing profession.
ANS: F
Correct: Several professions may have some controlled, reserved, or restricted acts (medical actions and procedures that may be performed, and who may perform or delegate them; the terms vary depending on the province) in common. For example, some controlled acts and reserved acts are shared by physicians and nurses.
The primary purpose of nursing regulatory bodies is the protection of the public.
ANS: T
Correct: As Canadians become more aware of their legal rights, they question the ability of health professionals to regulate themselves in the public interest. Thus, the primary purpose of nursing regulatory bodies is to serve as a watchdog and to promote the welfare of the public.
Regulatory bodies are responsible for maintaining processes to support the evaluation of the ongoing competence of nurses.
ANS: T
Correct: Regulatory bodies are responsible for introducing and maintaining mechanisms or processes to evaluate the ongoing competence of nurses.
