Chapter 03: Legal and Ethical Aspects of Nursing
Williams: deWit’s Fundamental Concepts and Skills for Nursing, 5th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A
... [Show More] student nurse who is not yet licensed:
a. may not perform nursing actions until he or she has passed the licensing examination.
b. is not responsible for his or her actions as a student under the state licensing law.
c. are held to the same standards as a licensed nurse.
d. must apply for a temporary student nurse permit to practice as a student.
ANS: C
Student nurses are held to the same standards as a licensed nurse. This means that although
a student nurse may not perform a task as quickly or as smoothly as the licensed nurse would, the
student is expected to perform it as effectively. In other words, she must achieve the same
outcome without harm to the patient. The student is legally responsible for her own actions or
inaction, and many schools require the student to carry malpractice insurance.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 32 OBJ: Theory #1
TOP: Practice Regulations for the Student Nurse KEY: Nursing Process
Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: N/A
2. During an employment interview, the interviewer asks the nurse applicant about HIV
status. The nurse applicant can legally respond:
a. “No,” even though he or she has a positive HIV test.
b. “I don’t know, but I would be willing to be tested.”
c. “I don’t know, and I refuse to be tested.”
d. “You do not have a right to ask me that question.”
ANS: D
In employment practice, it is illegal to discriminate against people with certain diseases or
conditions. Asking a question about health status, especially HIV or AIDS infection, is illegal.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 34 OBJ: Clinical Practice #1
TOP: Discrimination KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: N/A
3. An example of a violation of criminal law by a nurse is:
a. taking a controlled substance from agency supply for personal use.
b. accidentally administering a drug to the wrong patient, who then has a serious reaction.
c. advising a patient to sue the doctor for a supposed mistake the doctor made.
d. writing a letter to the newspaper outlining questionable or unsafe hospital practices. [Show Less]