What is the legal significance of a nurse's action when a patient verbally refuses medication and the nurse gives the medication over the patient's objection? The nurse

fulfilled the standard of care.

committed malpractice.

can be charged with battery.

has been negligent.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Giving medication against a patient’s wishes does not fulfill the standard of care; it violates patient autonomy.
B. Malpractice involves professional negligence resulting in harm, but here the issue is intentional violation of patient rights, not negligence.
C. Administering medication after a patient has explicitly refused is considered battery, which is intentional and unauthorized physical contact, even if harm does not occur.
D. Negligence is a failure to act reasonably or omission of care. This situation is an intentional act, making battery the correct legal term.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Voluntary admission does not remove a patient’s right to refuse treatment; informed consent is still required for all medications and procedures.

B. Clients admitted voluntarily retain the right to make decisions about their care, including providing informed consent for treatments and medications. This statement accurately reflects the client’s rights.

C. Healthcare providers are not allowed to disclose patient admission information without consent; confidentiality is maintained.

D. Voluntary patients have the right to request discharge, usually with a short notice period, even before a formal discharge summary is completed.

A. An advanced practice nurse recommends hospitalization for a patient who is dangerous to self and others. B. The plan of care for a patient is not completed within 24 hours of the patient's admission. C. A nurse gives an as needed (prn) dose of an antipsychotic drug to an agitated patient because the unit is short-staffed. D. A patient's admission status changed from involuntary to voluntary after the patient's hallucinations subside.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Recommending hospitalization for a patient who is dangerous to self or others is an example of appropriate professional judgment and does not constitute a tort.

B. Delays in completing a plan of care may reflect poor documentation or practice issues, but it is not automatically considered a tort.

C. Administering medication to a patient solely due to staffing issues, rather than based on clinical need or prescription, constitutes battery or negligence, which are examples of torts in healthcare law.

D. Changing a patient’s admission status based on clinical improvement is appropriate practice and not a tort.

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What is the legal significance of a nurse's action when a patient verbally refuses medication and the nurse gives the medication over the patient's objection? The nurse

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is providing teaching for a client who has major depressive disorder and is seeking voluntary admission to an acute mental health facility. Which of the following statements should the nurse include?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Select an example of a tort.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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What is the legal significance of a nurse's action when a patient verbally refuses medication and the nurse gives the medication over the patient's objection? The nurse

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