Select an example of a tort.
An advanced practice nurse recommends hospitalization for a patient who is dangerous to self and others.
The plan of care for a patient is not completed within 24 hours of the patient's admission.
A nurse gives an as needed (prn) dose of an antipsychotic drug to an agitated patient because the unit is short-staffed.
A patient's admission status changed from involuntary to voluntary after the patient's hallucinations subside.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Recommending hospitalization for a patient who is dangerous to self or others is an example of appropriate professional judgment and does not constitute a tort.
B. Delays in completing a plan of care may reflect poor documentation or practice issues, but it is not automatically considered a tort.
C. Administering medication to a patient solely due to staffing issues, rather than based on clinical need or prescription, constitutes battery or negligence, which are examples of torts in healthcare law.
D. Changing a patient’s admission status based on clinical improvement is appropriate practice and not a tort.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Giving medication against a patient’s wishes does not fulfill the standard of care; it violates patient autonomy.
B. Malpractice involves professional negligence resulting in harm, but here the issue is intentional violation of patient rights, not negligence.
C. Administering medication after a patient has explicitly refused is considered battery, which is intentional and unauthorized physical contact, even if harm does not occur.
D. Negligence is a failure to act reasonably or omission of care. This situation is an intentional act, making battery the correct legal term.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Referring the patient to a minister avoids the nurse’s responsibility to provide immediate therapeutic support.
B. This response reflects the patient’s feelings and encourages further expression, which is therapeutic in depression.
C. Asking “why” can feel judgmental and place the patient on the defensive, which is non-therapeutic.
D. Giving false reassurance or imposing religious beliefs does not address the patient’s feelings and may shut down communication.
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