Ethical & Legal Issues Flashcards
The nurse hears a client calling out for help, hurries down the hallway to the client’s room, and finds the client lying on the floor. The nurse performs an assessment, assists the client back to bed, notifies the primary HCP, and completes an occurrence report. Which statement should the nurse document on the occurrence report?
a) The client fell out of bed
b) The client climbed over the side rails
c) The client was found lying on the floor
d) The client became restless and tried to get out of bed
c) The client was found lying on the floor
A client is brought to the emergency department by EMS after being hit by a car. The name of the client is unknown, and the client has sustained a severe head injury and multiple fractures and is unconscious. An emergency craniotomy is required. Regarding informed consent for the surgical procedure, which is the best action?
a) Obtain a court order for the surgical procedure
b) Ask the EMS team to sign the informed consent
c) Transport the victim to the operating room for surgery
d) Call the police to identify the client and locate the family
c) Transport the victim to the operating room for surgery
The nurse has just assisted a client back to bed after a fall. The nurse and primary HCP have assessed the client and have determined that the client is not injured. After completing the occurrence report, the nurse should implement which action next?
a) Reassess the client
b) Conduct a staff meeting to describe the fall
c) Contact the nursing supervisor to update information regarding the fall
d) Document in the nurse’s notes that an occurrence report was completed
d) Document in the nurse’s notes that an occurrence report was completed
The nurse arrives at work and is told to report (float) to the ICU for the day because the ICU is understaffed and needs additional nurses to care for the clients. The nurse should take which best action?
a) Refuse to float to the ICU based on lack of unit orientation
b) Clarify the ICU client assignment with the team leader to ensure that it is a safe assignment
c) Ask the nursing supervisor to review the hospital policy on floating
d) Submit a written protest to nursing administration, and then call the hospital lawyer
b) Clarify the ICU client assignment with the team leader to ensure that it is a safe assignment
