A newly licensed nurse is unsure if an assigned task is within their scope Of practice. Which Of the following resources should the nurse consult?
Institutional policies and procedures
Verbal direction from the nurse manager
State Nurse Practice Act
Written prescription from the provider
The Correct Answer is C
A. Institutional policies and procedures: While institutional policies provide guidance on how tasks are performed within a facility, they cannot legally expand or limit a nurse’s scope of practice. Nurses must always ensure tasks are permitted by state law first.
B. Verbal direction from the nurse manager: Managers may offer direction, but their guidance should not override legal regulations. Relying solely on verbal instructions risks performing tasks outside the legal scope of practice, which can lead to liability issues.
C. State Nurse Practice Act: The Nurse Practice Act is a legal document specific to each state that defines the scope of practice for nurses. It outlines what tasks are legally permissible and serves as the most authoritative reference for professional responsibilities.
D. Written prescription from the provider: Although a provider can order treatments or procedures, nurses are still responsible for ensuring those actions fall within their legal scope. Following a prescription without verifying legality may result in practicing beyond licensure.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Critical pathways have an unlimited timeframe for completion: Critical pathways are designed with specific timelines to standardize care and ensure timely achievement of outcomes, so they do not have unlimited timeframes.
B. Nurses should discontinue the critical pathway if variances occur: Variances are documented and addressed, not a reason to discontinue the pathway. They help track deviations and guide individualized care adjustments.
C. Nurses' notes are used to create the critical pathway: Critical pathways are developed from evidence-based guidelines and clinical expertise, not directly from nurses' notes, though documentation helps evaluate their effectiveness.
D. Critical pathways should reduce health care costs: By standardizing care, minimizing delays, and improving efficiency, critical pathways aim to reduce unnecessary interventions and overall health care costs.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Aspirin 1 tablet daily: This prescription is incomplete because it does not specify the dosage in milligrams or the route of administration, which are essential for safe medication administration.
B. Metoprolol 5 mg IV now: This is a complete prescription as it includes the medication name, exact dosage (5 mg), route (IV), and timing (now), meeting all criteria for safe administration.
C. Furosemide 20 mg BID: Although the dose and frequency are included, the prescription is incomplete without specifying the route (e.g., oral or IV), which is necessary for clarity and safety.
D. Nitroglycerin transdermal patch: This order is incomplete as it does not include the dosage, frequency of application, or duration of use, all of which are critical components of a complete prescription.
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