he newborn nursery is desperately short of staff. During the 14th hour on duty, the nurse makes a medication error. What is the nurse's legal responsibility?
The hospital accepts full responsibility for the negligent act.
No legal action can be brought against the nurse.
The nurse's legal responsibilities are met if an incident report is filed.
The nurse is held to the same standard of care as any nurse with her education and experience.
The Correct Answer is B
The hospital accepts full responsibility for the negligent act: While the hospital does have a shared responsibility for the safety of patients, individual healthcare professionals are accountable for their actions. Hospitals may face consequences as well, but individual practitioners are legally responsible for their own actions.
No legal action can be brought against the nurse: If a nurse makes a medication error, legal action can be taken. Healthcare professionals are accountable for their actions, and legal consequences can follow if negligence or malpractice occurs.
The nurse's legal responsibilities are met if an incident report is filed: Filing an incident report is an important step in addressing errors, but it does not absolve the nurse of legal responsibility. It is a tool used within healthcare institutions to improve patient safety and learn from mistakes, but it does not eliminate the legal consequences of an error.
The nurse is held to the same standard of care as any nurse with her education and experience: Nurses are held to a standard of care based on their education, experience, and the specific circumstances of the situation. If a nurse fails to meet this standard, they can be held legally responsible for their actions.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) A framework for decision-making:
A code of ethics provides a framework that guides professionals in making ethical decisions. It offers principles and standards to help individuals navigate complex ethical dilemmas in their practice.
B) A collection of static rules:
While a code of ethics does contain specific rules and guidelines, it's not merely a static collection of rules. It includes broader ethical principles and values that professionals are expected to uphold.
C) A group of legally binding values:
While the principles in a code of ethics are important and often supported by laws and regulations, the code itself is not a set of legally binding rules. Violating the code might have professional consequences but doesn't necessarily result in legal penalties.
D) The "ball and chain" of the profession:
This phrase is not an accurate or respectful description of a code of ethics. A code of ethics is a professional responsibility and helps maintain high standards of practice and ethical conduct.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Statutory law refers to laws that are enacted by a legislative body, such as the U.S. Congress, state legislatures, and other local government entities like cities and counties. These laws are written and codified, making them formal rules that citizens must follow. They are considered primary sources of law in the United States.
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