A nurse fails to monitor vital signs in accordance with the policy's of the hospital for a post- operative client. As a result, complications occur. On what basis might a lawsuit be successful? The nurse:
was negligent, resulting in harm to the client.
was acting on the principle of nonmaleficence.
committed a misdemeanor.
was unethical in her practice.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Negligence in nursing refers to the failure to provide care that meets established standards, resulting in harm to the patient. In this case, if the nurse failed to monitor vital signs as per hospital policies and this failure led to complications for the post-operative client, it could constitute negligence. Negligence involves breaching the duty of care owed to the patient, causing harm that could have been reasonably prevented.
B. Nonmaleficence is the principle of doing no harm. While it is an ethical principle guiding healthcare practice, it does not justify or excuse negligence. Negligence involves a failure to uphold the duty of care owed to the patient, resulting in harm due to substandard practice.
C. A misdemeanor typically refers to a lesser criminal offense. Negligence in healthcare generally does not rise to the level of a criminal offense like a misdemeanor unless there is gross negligence or willful misconduct. In most cases, negligence leading to harm is addressed through civil litigation rather than criminal charges.
D. While negligence can certainly be considered unethical behavior in the context of healthcare, negligence itself is a legal concept related to professional malpractice rather than solely an ethical breach. Ethical violations may involve different aspects of professional conduct not directly related to negligence, such as breaches of confidentiality or conflicts of interest.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
B. Activating a code blue or the facility's emergency response system will bring immediate assistance and resources to the client's bedside. This is crucial to initiate prompt resuscitative measures if indicated and to involve additional healthcare providers in the management of the emergency.
A. While it might be appropriate in some situations to provide privacy or support to the partner, in this urgent scenario where the client is unresponsive and not breathing, the priority should be immediate assessment and intervention for the client's condition.
C. While notifying the physician is important, especially to inform them of the client's condition and potentially discuss the DNR status, it is not the most immediate action in this urgent situation where the client is unresponsive and not breathing. Direct intervention and assessment are needed first.
D. Asking the partner to make a DNR decision immediately is not appropriate as the first action in this scenario. It is crucial to focus first on the client's immediate needs for assessment and potentially resuscitative measures if indicated. The discussion about the DNR order should occur in a timely manner but is secondary to addressing the client's current medical emergency.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
B. This finding suggests deep tissue involvement and is characteristic of a Stage IV pressure injury. Stage IV pressure injuries involve full-thickness tissue loss with exposure of underlying structures such as bone, tendon, or muscle. This level of tissue damage requires extensive wound care and management to promote healing.
A. Thick dark eschar indicates necrotic tissue that typically covers the wound. While eschar itself is a characteristic of severe wounds, its presence alone does not define a Stage IV pressure injury. Eschar can be present in various stages of pressure injuries.
C. Partial-thickness loss of dermis typically corresponds to Stage II pressure injuries, where the injury extends into the epidermis and dermis but does not yet involve full-thickness tissue loss. This finding does not indicate a Stage IV pressure injury.
D. This finding is characteristic of a Stage III pressure injury, where the wound extends through the dermis into the subcutaneous tissue layer. In Stage IV pressure injuries, the damage progresses further to involve deeper structures such as muscle and bone, beyond the subcutaneous tissue.
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