A caregiver is caring for a client who is uncooperative, verbally abusive, and disrespectful towards the nurse. The nurse responds defensively and threatens to withhold the client’s meal tray if they do not cooperate. Which of the following intentional torts has the nurse demonstrated?
Abandonment
Battery
Assault
False imprisonment
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A Reason
Abandonment occurs when a nurse terminates the nurse-patient relationship without reasonable notice or providing a competent replacement. This can leave the patient without necessary care and support, potentially leading to harm. In this scenario, the nurse did not abandon the patient but instead threatened to withhold care, which aligns more closely with the definition of assault.
Choice B Reason
Battery involves the actual physical contact with a patient without their consent. This could include actions such as administering a medication against the patient’s will or physically restraining them without justification. In this case, the nurse did not physically touch the patient, so battery is not the correct term for the described behavior.
Choice C Reason
Assault is the threat of harm or unwanted physical contact that causes the patient to fear for their safety. By threatening to withhold the client’s meal tray, the nurse is using intimidation to coerce the patient into compliance. This threat can cause the patient to feel fearful and anxious, which constitutes assault. The key element here is the threat of harm, not the actual physical act.
Choice D Reason
False imprisonment involves restraining a patient against their will without legal justification. This could include locking a patient in a room or using physical restraints without a medical order. The scenario does not describe any form of physical restraint or confinement, so false imprisonment is not applicable in this context.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is E
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Discarding systematic reviews is not a recommended approach for determining the quality and strength of a research study. Systematic reviews are comprehensive summaries of all the available evidence on a particular topic and are considered one of the highest levels of evidence in research. They use rigorous methods to identify, evaluate, and synthesize the results of relevant studies, providing a reliable overview of the evidence. Discarding them would mean ignoring a valuable source of high-quality information.
Choice B Reason:
Selecting only studies with meta-analyses since they are the weakest form of evidence is incorrect. In fact, meta-analyses are considered one of the strongest forms of evidence. They combine data from multiple studies to provide a more precise estimate of the effect of an intervention or exposure. By pooling data, meta-analyses increase the statistical power and provide more robust conclusions than individual studies alone. Therefore, this choice is based on a misunderstanding of the strength of meta-analyses.
Choice C Reason:
Evaluating the quality of studies with a sample size of at least 250 people is not sufficient on its own to determine the quality and strength of a research study. While a larger sample size can increase the reliability of study results, it is not the only factor to consider. Other important aspects include the study design, methodology, data analysis, and potential biases. A comprehensive evaluation should consider all these factors rather than focusing solely on sample size.
Choice D Reason:
Accepting only studies that use a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design is too restrictive. While RCTs are considered the gold standard for evaluating the effectiveness of interventions due to their ability to minimize bias, they are not always feasible or ethical for all research questions. Other study designs, such as cohort studies, case-control studies, and qualitative research, can also provide valuable insights. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the quality of studies based on their design and methodology rather than excluding non-RCT studies outright.
Choice E Reason:
Evaluating studies against the standards for that type of research is the best approach to determine the quality and strength of a research study. This involves using established criteria and guidelines to assess the study’s design, methodology, data analysis, and reporting. By comparing the study to the standards for its specific type, researchers can identify strengths and weaknesses, determine the reliability of the findings, and make informed decisions about the evidence. This comprehensive approach ensures that all relevant factors are considered in the evaluation process.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
The wrong operation was performed on a patient. This incident is a clear example of a sentinel event. According to The Joint Commission, a sentinel event is a patient safety event that results in death, permanent harm, or severe temporary harm and requires immediate investigation. Performing the wrong operation on a patient is a serious error that can lead to significant harm or even death, making it a sentinel event.
Choice B Reason:
A client received an incorrect dose of medication, but it did not result in injury. While administering an incorrect dose of medication is a medication error, it does not qualify as a sentinel event if it does not result in harm. Sentinel events are defined by the severity of the outcome, and in this case, the lack of injury means it does not meet the criteria.
Choice C Reason:
A patient complains that a nurse was rude and abrasive. Although this behavior is unprofessional and can affect patient satisfaction and trust, it does not constitute a sentinel event. Sentinel events are related to significant harm or risk of harm to the patient, which is not the case here.
Choice D Reason:
A nurse withholds a medication upon suspecting that the patient may be allergic to the drug. This action is a precautionary measure taken to prevent potential harm and is not a sentinel event. In fact, it demonstrates good clinical judgment and adherence to patient safety protocols.
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