Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following aspects of gerontological nursing would be most likely classified under private law?

• A. The regulation of who may call himself or herself a 'nurse'
• B. The contract between an older adult resident of a care facility and the owners of the facility
• C. The legal criteria for declaring an individual mentally incompetent
• D. The criminal consequences for instances of elder abuse

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because private law deals with relationships between individuals and organizations, such as the contract between an individual and the care facility. Choices A, C, and D are not classified under private law. Choice A pertains to professional regulation and is a matter of public law. Choice C involves legal criteria and decision-making related to mental competence, falling under public law. Choice D concerns criminal consequences, which are also part of public law.

2. Which of the following statements by family caregivers would the nurse consider most indicative of elder abuse?

• A. Mom can't handle her own money anymore, so I've had to take over her banking.
• B. When my dad starts wandering around the house, I give him sleeping pills until he calms down and falls asleep in his chair.
• C. My mother says she wants me to do everything for her, but I think it's better if she keeps on doing everything she's still capable of.
• D. I get so frustrated because my father used to be so competent, and now he can't even use a toilet.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The statement 'When my dad starts wandering around the house, I give him sleeping pills until he calms down and falls asleep in his chair' is most indicative of elder abuse as it involves the inappropriate use of chemical restraints. This practice can harm the elderly and is considered a form of abuse. Choices A, C, and D do not demonstrate elder abuse. Choice A may be a responsible action depending on the circumstances, choice C reflects a positive philosophy of care, and choice D expresses frustration but does not constitute abuse.

3. A local community has a small budget for community health programs aimed specifically toward its black population. Which type of community health program will the nurse recommend as the best use of the budget?

• A. depression screening
• B. meal planning
• C. blood pressure screening
• D. sleep disorder information

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The best use of the budget for the black population in the local community would be blood pressure screening. Hypertension is a prevalent health issue among black Americans, occurring at a higher rate than in the white population. Therefore, focusing on blood pressure screening would help in early detection and management of hypertension within this community. Depression screening and sleep disorder information are not the priority as there is not a higher incidence of these conditions in older black clients. Meal planning could be beneficial for clients with diabetes, but it may not be the most critical focus considering the higher prevalence of hypertension among the black population.

4. A nurse cares for an Asian American client with a fractured femur. During shift report, which statement by the nurse will another nurse challenge?

• A. The client has requested to wait to receive pain medication.
• B. The client does not want family to visit the room.
• C. The client is a recent immigrant to this country.
• D. The client is stoic and will not complain at all.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Stereotyping the client as stoic and unlikely to complain about pain is incorrect and can lead to inadequate pain management. It is essential for the nurse to assess and address the client's pain regardless of cultural background. Choices A, B, and C are not as critical as they respect the client's autonomy, cultural preferences regarding family visits, and provide relevant background information about the client's immigrant status.

5. During a busy shift, a registered nurse directed an unlicensed care provider to change the dressing and perform wound care on an older adult client's surgical incision, an act that exists outside of the unlicensed care provider's scope of practice. Which of the following statements best captures the legal context of this event?

• A. The unlicensed care provider is solely responsible for the inappropriate practice.
• B. The nurse can be held liable for the actions of the unlicensed care provider.
• C. Liability rests with the nurse manager of the unit.
• D. In the absence of documented harm to the client, the action is legally permissible.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Under the doctrine of respondent superior, nurses can be held liable for the actions of individuals under their supervision. In this scenario, the registered nurse directed the unlicensed care provider to perform a task outside their scope of practice, making the nurse accountable for the consequences. Choice A is incorrect because the responsibility is shared between the nurse and the unlicensed care provider. Choice C is incorrect as the nurse manager may not be directly responsible for the actions of the registered nurse. Choice D is incorrect because legality is not determined solely by the absence of harm; acting within one's legal scope of practice is essential to ensure patient safety.

Similar Questions