The preoperative admitting nurse witnessed a client sign an operative consent form. The nurse then cosigned the same document as a witness. The client suffered an injury during surgery and names the nurse in the suit because the nurse witnessed the consent form. What is the most likely outcome?.

The nurse is likely not liable because surgery is beyond the nurse's scope of practice.

The nurse is not likely liable because the signature only specifies that the nurse witnessed the client signing the consent form.

The nurse may be liable because cosigning the consent form makes the nurse an equal member of the surgical team.

The nurse is liable because cosigning the consent form confirms that the client fully understood the risks of surgery

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A.   While it’s true that surgery itself is beyond the nurse's scope of practice, liability can still arise from the actions taken in relation to the consent process. The issue is not about the surgery itself but about the responsibility associated with witnessing the consent.
B.   The nurse’s role in this context is to witness the client’s signature, not to guarantee the client’s understanding of the procedure or the risks involved. The witness signature generally indicates that the nurse observed the client signing the document but does not imply that the nurse ensured the client understood all aspects of the surgery.
C.   Cosigning a consent form does not make the nurse an equal member of the surgical team in terms of decision-making or responsibilities. The nurse's role as a witness is limited to observing the signing process.
D.   The nurse’s signature does not imply that they confirmed the client's understanding of the risks involved. The responsibility for explaining the risks and ensuring the client’s understanding typically falls to the physician or surgeon.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. While it’s important to consider the comfort and competency of the LPNs, this approach alone does not ensure that the tasks delegated are within their legal scope of practice. It’s essential for the RN to also verify that the tasks align with the LPN’s training and legal scope of practice.
B. LPNs have a different scope of practice compared to nursing assistive personnel (NAP). They are trained to perform more complex tasks and provide a higher level of care than NAPs. Delegating the same tasks would not take advantage of the LPN's training and could lead to issues related to patient safety and quality of care.
C. While consulting a decision tree can be a useful tool for delegating tasks to NAPs, it does not apply to LPNs. LPNs have a different scope of practice and require a different framework for delegation, as they can perform nursing tasks that are not within the NAP scope.
D. This is the most appropriate action for the RN. Understanding the legal scope of practice for LPNs in their specific jurisdiction is crucial for safe and effective delegation. It ensures that the RN delegates tasks that LPNs are qualified to perform, thereby promoting patient safety and adhering to legal standards.

A. Accompany a client who has depression to occupational therapy. B. Initiate soft wrist restraints on a client who is at risk for self-harm. C. Sit with a client who has alcohol use disorder and whose last drink was five days ago. D. Set limits with a client who has mania. E. Work a jigsaw puzzle with a client who has dementia. F. Assess a client who has hypomania for exhaustion.

Correct Answer is ["A","E"]

Explanation

A. This is a routine task that can be safely delegated to a NAP. It does not require complex decision- making or assessment skills.
B. This task requires the ability to assess the client's condition and determine the appropriate level of restraint. It is a task that should be performed by an RN or licensed practical nurse (LPN).
C. While this may seem like a simple task, it requires the ability to monitor the client for signs of withdrawal and to intervene if necessary. It is a task that should be performed by an RN or LPN.
D. This task requires the ability to assess the client's behavior and to intervene if necessary. It is a task that should be performed by an RN or LPN.
E. This is a therapeutic activity that can be delegated to a NAP. It can help to stimulate the client's cognitive function and provide social interaction.
F. This task requires the ability to assess the client's condition and identify potential complications. It is a task that should be performed by an RN or LPN.

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The preoperative admitting nurse witnessed a client sign an operative consent form. The nurse then cosigned the same document as a witness. The client suffered an injury during surgery and names the nurse in the suit because the nurse witnessed the consent form. What is the most likely outcome?.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A registered nurse has been leading teams of nursing assistive personnel (NAP) for several years and will soon be leading licensed practical nurses (LPNs) for the first time. In preparation for delegating to these nurses, the RN should:

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is planning to assign care activities to nursing assistive personnel (NAP) on her team. Which of the following activities can the nurse assign to the NAP? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY]

Correct Answer is ["A","E"]

Explanation

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