During a busy shift, a registered nurse directed an unlicensed care provider to change a dressing and perform wound care on an older adult client's surgical incision. This action exists outside of the unlicensed care provider's scope of practice. Which concept would apply to this situation?
The nurse can be held liable for the actions of the unlicensed care provider.
The unlicensed care provider is solely responsible for the inappropriate practice.
Liability rests with the company that owns the healthcare facility.
In the absence of documented harm to the client, the action is legally permissible.
The Correct Answer is A
A. The nurse can be held liable for the actions of the unlicensed care provider.
In healthcare settings, registered nurses are responsible for delegating tasks to unlicensed care providers within their scope of practice. If a registered nurse directs an unlicensed care provider to perform a task outside of their scope of practice, the nurse can be held liable for any resulting harm to the patient. It's essential for nurses to delegate tasks appropriately and ensure that unlicensed personnel are only assigned tasks that they are trained and authorized to perform.
B. The unlicensed care provider is solely responsible for the inappropriate practice.
While unlicensed care providers must also adhere to their scope of practice, it is ultimately the responsibility of the registered nurse to ensure that tasks are delegated appropriately. If the registered nurse directs the unlicensed care provider to perform tasks beyond their scope, both parties may be held accountable, but the nurse has a higher level of responsibility due to their licensure and authority.
C. Liability rests with the company that owns the healthcare facility.
While the healthcare facility may have some level of responsibility for ensuring appropriate staffing and training, in this scenario, the immediate accountability lies with the registered nurse who directed the unlicensed care provider to perform tasks outside of their scope of practice.
D. In the absence of documented harm to the client, the action is legally permissible.
Performing tasks outside of one's scope of practice is never legally permissible, regardless of whether harm occurs. Nurses and other healthcare providers must adhere to professional standards and regulations regarding delegation and scope of practice to ensure patient safety and quality care.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. The client is using this as a means of going home.
While this could be a possibility, it is not the primary concern in this scenario. Assuming this without further evidence may lead to misunderstanding the client's needs and preferences.
B. The food served may violate religious beliefs.
While this could be a concern, the client's statement, "I just do not like the food here," suggests a personal preference rather than a religious restriction. It's important to consider religious beliefs, but it's not the immediate issue raised by the client.
C. The food served may not be culturally appropriate.
This option directly addresses the client's statement about not liking the food. It suggests that the food may not align with the client's cultural preferences, which is a significant factor to consider in understanding the client's refusal to eat. Exploring cultural preferences and providing culturally appropriate meals can help address the client's concerns.
D. The client does not like to eat with other residents of the home.
While social factors may contribute to the client's reluctance to eat, the primary concern expressed by the client is dissatisfaction with the food itself, not with the dining environment or social interactions. While social factors may also need to be addressed, they are not the immediate focus based on the information provided.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. "You will need to get used to this at your age." - This response is dismissive and invalidating. It implies that the client's feelings of depression and grief are simply a natural part of aging that they should accept or become accustomed to. It fails to acknowledge the client's emotions and does not offer any support or empathy.
B. "Perhaps you need to make friends with younger people." - This response is not empathetic and fails to address the client's feelings. It suggests a solution that may not be feasible or appropriate for the client's situation. Additionally, it overlooks the importance of the client's existing relationships and the impact of losing friends.
C. "That must be hard for you." - This response demonstrates empathy and validation of the client's feelings. It acknowledges the difficulty of losing friends and the impact it may have on the client's emotional well-being. By expressing understanding and sympathy, the nurse shows willingness to listen and provide support.
D. "That is to be expected." - While this response acknowledges the client's experience, it may come across as somewhat dismissive. It suggests that feeling depressed due to the loss of friends is a normal and expected reaction for an older adult, but it doesn't offer much in the way of validation or support for the client's emotions.
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