Fundamentals Of Nursing Flashcards
What is the job of the state board of nursing?
Manage nursing licensure, testing requirements, and nursing education program standards.
What is the job of the nursing practice acts?
Legal document that governs nursing practice in each state. Defines nursing scope of practice of clear definitions of roles. Nurses who violate the defined standard of care face discipline.
What is a big thing to remember about the nurse practice act‘s?
The laws affecting your practice is different in each state.
What does evidence-based practice mean?
Utilizing the best evidence from research to guide nursing practice.
What does the American nurses Association do?
Establishes ethical standards for the nursing profession.
What is an ethical dilemma? Example?
Conflicting values that causes stress and controversy. For example, daughter of an intubated patient with terminal cancer does not want her mother to have opioid pain medication due to religious reasons even though she is in severe pain.
What is an ethics committee? And what do they do?
Interdisciplinary team, made up of a nurse physician social worker, that provides guidance in the face of ethical dilemma. Provides recommendations, does not impose decisions.
What is autonomy? Example?
Autonomy is the patient’s right to make their own healthcare decisions. For example respect to patients right to refuse a treatment.
What is beneficence? Example?
Beneficence is to promote good. For example, take a patient outside to get fresh air.
What is nonmaleficence? Example?
Nonmaleficence is to avoid causing harm. For example, performing multiple checks to avoid a medication error.
What is justice? Example?
Justice is to treat fairly and equally. For example, distribute care equally among assigned patients.
What is Fidelity? Example?
Fidelity is to be faithful and loyal. For example, keep promises to a patient.
What is advocacy? Example?
Advocacy is to promote/protect patients rights, health, and safety. For example, notify provider of concerning change in patient’s condition.
What is veracity? Example?
To tell the truth. For example, be honest with patient about possible side effects of the medication.
If a patient is not orientated can they give consent?
They may not give consent.
When can a minor, less than 18 years old, have the right to consent to treatment?
If they are emancipated, married, in the military, or requiring mental health/substance abuse/STI treatment.
If a patient has questions about the procedure before or after provided consent what should you do?
The provider must be contacted to answer them.
Can a patient who does not speak English give consent? When can they give consent?
They can only consent when there is a medical interpreter available to translate.
Can a patient change their mind after they have already consented?
Yes.
What is informed consent?
Process that confirms a patient’s voluntary decision to undergo a procedure or intervention.
What is the healthcare providers roll when obtaining informed consent?
It is the providers job to explain the nature, risks, and benefits of the procedure, alternatives to the procedure, risks and benefits of the alternatives. They assess the patient’s understanding of the information and answer all patient questions.
What is the nurses roll when obtaining informed consent?
Signed consent form as a witness, confirm patient received and understands above information, ensure patient is competent, and gave consent voluntarily.
Where do we document the patient informed consent?
All elements of informed consent must be documented on a form or in the patient’s medical record.
What are advanced directives?
Legal documents that communicate preferences regarding medical care of the patient becomes incompasitated to it or is an able to verbalize their wishes.
What is the patient self determination act PSDA?
Ensures of patient’s right to self-determination in healthcare decisions, including advance directives.
What is a Living Will?
Indicates desired of prohibited medical interventions including code status, level of intervention, or life-sustaining measures.
What does DNR mean?
Do not resuscitate. No CPR or resuscitation actions should be taken.
What does physicians orders for life-sustaining treatment POLST mean?
These are medical orders that summarize the patient’s wishes regarding medical care.
What is durable power of attorney?
Identifies another person responsible for medical decision-making. This person does not have to be related to the patient.
What is health insurance portability and accountability act HIPPA?
Law that protects the patient’s right to privacy and regulates how their health care information is used in disclose.
What are to keep provisions of the health insurance portability and accountability act?
One, patient information may not be disclose to anyone that is not directly involved in the care of the patient without patient consent.
Two, patients have a right to receive a copy of their healthcare records.
What are for best practices when it comes to health insurance portability and accountability act information?
Only discuss patient information in a secure environment instead of public places like the elevator.
Report any breach of confidentiality.
Do not access information or charts not needed for work.
Log off computer when stepping away. Use secure, unique passwords and change them frequently. Never share passwords.
Do patients have the right to refuse treatment?
Patients who are competent to provide consent have the right to refuse medications or other therapies even if they were involuntary omitted (except in emergency). 
What does AMA mean?
Leaving against medical advice. AMA means the patient chooses to leave the hospital before the treatment team recommends discharge.
What are the five steps that nurses should take for a patient leaving AMA?
Notify the provider.
Discussed risks associated with leaving AMA with the patient.
Have patient signed AMA form, or document patient refusal to sign form.
Remove any IV catheters and apply dressing.
Do not call security.
What are some examples of intentional torts?
Assault, battery, False imprisonmeant, invasion of privacy, deformation of character.
What is intentional torts?
Willful acts her violate her patients rights.