A nurse accidentally administers a medication to the wrong patient, and the patient experiences a serious untoward reaction.
For which tort can the nurse be legally charged?
Negligence.
Malpractice.
Assault.
Battery.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Negligence is the failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in similar circumstances. While administering the wrong medication is a breach of duty, legal charges of negligence might not fully capture the severity of a serious untoward reaction resulting from a medication error by a professional.
Choice B rationale
Malpractice is a specific type of negligence committed by a professional, such as a nurse, in the performance of their professional duties. Administering the wrong medication, leading to a serious adverse reaction, falls under the scope of professional nursing practice and can be considered a breach of the professional standard of care, thus potentially leading to charges of malpractice.
Choice C rationale
Assault is an intentional act that creates a reasonable apprehension of immediate harmful or offensive contact. Administering medication, even the wrong one, is usually not intended to cause apprehension of harm in the way assault is legally defined.
Choice D rationale
Battery is the intentional touching of another person without consent. While administering the wrong medication involves touching without consent, the more appropriate legal charge in a professional healthcare setting where harm results from a breach of duty is typically malpractice. .
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","C","D"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Moderate consumption of red wine has been associated with potential cardiovascular benefits, primarily attributed to the presence of antioxidants like resveratrol. Resveratrol may help prevent damage to blood vessels, reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol), and prevent blood clots. However, these potential benefits must be balanced against the risks associated with alcohol consumption.
Choice B rationale
Generally, three glasses of red wine would be considered beyond moderate alcohol consumption for most individuals. Moderate drinking is typically defined as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. Three glasses could lead to significant impairment, increased risk of accidents, and potential long-term health consequences associated with excessive alcohol intake.
Choice C rationale
Individuals with liver disease should generally avoid alcohol consumption altogether. The liver is the primary organ responsible for metabolizing alcohol, and liver disease impairs this function. Consuming alcohol can further damage the liver, exacerbate existing conditions, and lead to serious complications.
Choice D rationale
Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production. This diuretic effect can lead to dehydration if fluid intake does not adequately compensate for the increased fluid loss through urination. Therefore, consuming three glasses of red wine, without sufficient water intake, can contribute to dehydration.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Anticipatory grieving is a normal psychological process of acknowledging and preparing for an expected loss. The family's expression of sorrow and crying directly indicates their emotional response to the impending death of their loved one, aligning with the defining characteristics of anticipatory grieving. This diagnosis acknowledges the family's current emotional state in relation to the anticipated loss.
Choice B rationale
Dysfunctional grieving implies an abnormal or maladaptive grief response. Age regression, while a potential manifestation of extreme stress, is not a typical or expected behavior in anticipatory grief. Without further evidence of significantly impaired functioning or prolonged, intense reactions disproportionate to the situation, labeling the grieving as dysfunctional is not supported.
Choice C rationale
Potential for grieving suggests a risk for developing grief, but the family members are already actively expressing sorrow, indicating that grieving has commenced, not just a potential for it. While crying is an expression of sorrow associated with grieving, insomnia, without further context, is a non-specific symptom and does not solely indicate anticipatory grieving related to loss.
Choice D rationale
Dysfunctional grieving, as mentioned before, implies a maladaptive response. While anxiety can be a component of grief, behaviors solely indicating anxiety do not necessarily define dysfunctional grieving related to the loss of a family member. The family's primary expression is sorrow, which is a typical component of anticipatory grief, not necessarily dysfunctional.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.
