Legal Aspects of Nursing

The standards of professional nursing practice are applied for all nurses regardless of role, population and specialty.

• True

• False

Federal and state laws will not have any impact the manner in which nursing is practiced.

• True

• False

In previous decades, prior to the growth of professional nursing practice, nurses were judged by the same standard of care as the ordinary man or woman, because a nurse was not considered a professional who delivered specialized care.

• True

• False

Malpractice is negligence, misconduct, or breach of duty by a professional that results in injury/damage to a patient.

• True

• False

Example of a common malpractice claims arise against nurses when nurses fail to assess, monitor, document, or communicate.

• True

• False

To prove malpractice, all 3 of the following elements must be proven by the plaintiff.

• True

• False

Know and follow your state's nurse practice act and your facility's policies and procedures may help minimize a nurse's risk of being sued for malpractice.

• True

• False

When you are served with a complaint or a letter of intent to sue, your first response should be to contact a representative of the plaintiff.

• True

• False

A staff nurse working in an institution such as a hospital is unlikely to need additional coverage, unless he or she practices outside of the hospital.

• True

• False

Malpractice insurance can help when the nurse are sued.

• True

• False