Question 1

Various states recognize that nurses can render a nursing diagnosis. Where a defendant physician ignores a nurse's assessment of a patient's diagnosis and the patient is injured, the court would most likely determine that ___________.

Accepted Answer

The court would likely determine that the physician contributed to the delay in treatment and injury by ignoring the nurse's assessment, as nurses are recognized to make valid assessments in many states.

Question 2

A solution was prepared by an employee and injected into the patient by a physician. The physician made no examination of the fluid, and the patient suffered permanent injuries as a result of the injection. The court determined that the physician is ___________.

Accepted Answer

The court determined that the physician is not responsible for drugs prepared by an employee unless he knowingly could have prevented injury to the patient. This implies that the physician's liability is limited to situations where he had knowledge or reason to suspect that the drug could cause harm.

Question 3

Staff members who administer to patients, moving from one patient to another, must wash their hands ___________.

Accepted Answer

Staff members must wash their hands both before and after changing dressings and carrying out routine procedures to prevent the spread of infections and ensure patient safety.

Question 4

A navy veteran successfully underwent coronary bypass surgery at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. However, he was injured as a result of being left unattended for several hours by nursing personnel in the intensive care unit. The veteran suffered anoxic brain injury following a complication with his endotracheal tube. A lawsuit was filed and the court determined ___________.

Accepted Answer

The trial court properly required the federal government to make an immediate lump-sum payment of future medical damages to the veteran because the veteran suffered anoxic brain injury as a result of being left unattended for several hours by nursing personnel in the intensive care unit.

Question 5

A nurse ___________.

Accepted Answer

A nurse has a professional and ethical responsibility to advocate for patient safety and well-being, which includes questioning a physician's decision if it could potentially harm the patient.

Quiz 9: Nursing and the Law

Various states recognize that nurses can render a nursing diagnosis. Where a defendant physician ignores a nurse's assessment of a patient's diagnosis and the patient is injured, the court would most likely determine that ___________.

A solution was prepared by an employee and injected into the patient by a physician. The physician made no examination of the fluid, and the patient suffered permanent injuries as a result of the injection. The court determined that the physician is ___________.

Staff members who administer to patients, moving from one patient to another, must wash their hands ___________.

A nurse ___________.