Nursing Elites

1. The laws enacted by states to provide immunity from liability to persons who provide emergency care at an accident scene are called:

• A. Good Samaritan laws.
• B. HIPAA.
• C. Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA).
• D. OBRA.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is Good Samaritan laws. These laws protect individuals who provide voluntary emergency care from being held liable for any unintended injury or harm that may occur during the care. Good Samaritan laws encourage individuals to assist in emergencies without fear of legal repercussions. HIPAA, on the other hand, focuses on safeguarding patient information and privacy, ensuring confidentiality. The Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) pertains to a patient's rights to make decisions about their medical treatment and advance directives. OBRA, enacted in the late 1980s, aims to improve the quality of care in nursing homes and enhance residents' quality of life, focusing on nursing home reform and standards, which is not directly related to immunity for emergency care providers.

2. Ethics committees typically do not handle which of the following issues?

• A. Nonpayment of bills.
• B. Euthanasia.
• C. Starting or stopping treatment.
• D. Use of feeding tubes.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Ethics committees primarily focus on addressing ethical dilemmas in healthcare. Issues like euthanasia, decisions regarding starting or stopping treatment, and the use of feeding tubes for nutritional support involve complex ethical considerations related to patient care and end-of-life decisions, which are commonly deliberated by ethics committees. However, nonpayment of bills is a financial matter and falls outside the typical scope of ethics committees' functions.

3. A client asks a nurse about the procedure for becoming an organ donor. The nurse provides the client with which information?

• A. To speak with the chaplain about the psychosocial aspects of becoming a donor
• B. That this decision must be made by the next of kin at the time of the client's death
• C. That anatomic gifts must be made in writing and signed by the client
• D. To let the health care provider know about the request so that it may be documented in the client's record

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a person wishes to become an organ donor, they need to understand that anatomic gifts must be made in writing and signed by the individual. The gift must be made by the donor themselves, typically an individual who is at least 18 years old. If the client is unable to sign, the document should be signed by another person and two witnesses. While speaking to a chaplain or informing the healthcare provider may be part of the process, the essential step is to have a written document signed by the client. Choice A is incorrect as it does not address the procedural aspect of becoming an organ donor. Choice B is incorrect as the decision to make an anatomic gift is typically made by the individual themselves, not the next of kin. Choice D is incorrect as simply informing the healthcare provider is not sufficient for the procedure of becoming an organ donor; a written and signed document by the client is necessary.

4. A nurse discharge planner is preparing a client for discharge from an acute care setting. The nurse assesses that skilled home care services are clinically indicated. This assessment is based on all of the following indicators except:

• A. the client has been admitted to the hospital three times in the last 2 months.
• B. the client has a Foley catheter.
• C. the client's family is available to care for him 24 hours a day.
• D. the client is ordered to continue IV antibiotics 5 days post discharge.

Correct answer: V

Rationale: Family availability to provide care and assistance is not an indicator for skilled home care services. In fact, the nurse might see an opportunity for family education to meet the client's needs so that less community support is needed. This should be discussed and negotiated with the family. Frequent hospital readmissions indicate that the client has not been able to manage either due to condition instability or lack of care needs being met, which is a red flag for home care services to monitor and meet those needs appropriately. A Foley catheter requires home health care due to infection potential and care requirements. IV antibiotics also necessitate home care for maintaining line patency and assessing the site.

5. A nurse is taking a morning break with the unit secretary in the nurses' lounge. The unit secretary says to the nurse, 'I read in Mr. Gage's medical record that he has gonorrhea.' How should the nurse respond to the secretary?

• A. Yes, he does, but be sure not to discuss this with anyone else.
• B. Yes, that's why we've imposed contact precautions.
• C. We can't discuss a client's medical condition.
• D. Oh, really? I didn't see that!

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A client's medical condition is confidential and should never be discussed with anyone other than the client and the client's healthcare provider. Therefore, the nurse must tell the unit secretary that the client's condition is not to be discussed. Choices A and B confirm the client's disease, which is inappropriate as it breaches patient confidentiality. Choice D promotes further discussion of the client's condition, which is also inappropriate. The correct response is to firmly state, 'We can't discuss a client's medical condition,' to uphold patient privacy and confidentiality.

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