CPNRE - Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination Legal Scope and Accountability Questions and Answers

Question 1

A Practical Nurse (PN) is asked by a physician to administer a medication intravenously, a procedure the PN has not been trained to perform.
Which of the following actions demonstrates professional accountability?

Accepted Answer

Refusing to administer the medication and reporting the request to the nursing supervisor.

Answer

Administering the medication as requested to maintain a good working relationship.

Answer

Asking a Registered Nurse (RN) to supervise the procedure.

Answer

Researching the procedure online before attempting to administer the medication.

Question 2

A client with dementia becomes agitated and refuses their morning medication. The Practical Nurse documents the refusal and informs the charge nurse. Later, the client's family insists the medication must be given. What is the PN's most appropriate legal and ethical response?

Accepted Answer

Explain to the family that a competent client has the right to refuse treatment.

Answer

Administer the medication discreetly in the client's food.

Answer

Request the family to sign a waiver before administering the medication.

Answer

Inform the family that since the client has dementia, their refusal is not valid.

Question 3

Which of the following is a primary purpose of the provincial/territorial nursing regulatory body?

Accepted Answer

To set standards for nursing education and practice to protect the public.

Answer

To negotiate collective bargaining agreements for Practical Nurses.

Answer

To provide legal representation for nurses accused of malpractice.

Answer

To advocate for increased government funding for healthcare facilities.

Question 4

A Practical Nurse overhears a colleague discussing a client's confidential health information in the cafeteria with another staff member not involved in the client's care. What is the PN's initial and most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Approach the colleague privately and remind them of their duty to maintain client confidentiality.

Answer

Report the colleague to the provincial regulatory body immediately.

Answer

Confront the colleague loudly in the cafeteria to stop the breach of confidentiality.

Answer

Ignore the conversation to avoid creating a conflict with a coworker.

Question 5

A Practical Nurse is documenting care provided to a client. Which of the following documentation entries is most legally sound?

Accepted Answer

"Administered pain medication for client's complaint of abdominal pain. Client reports pain level decreased from 8/10 to 3/10, 45 minutes post-administration."

Answer

"Client appeared to be in a better mood today."

Answer

"Performed wound care as per protocol. Dressing changed. No signs of infection noted."

Answer

"Client was uncooperative and difficult during the morning assessment."

Question 6

Under the principle of self-regulation, Practical Nurses are accountable for:

Accepted Answer

Maintaining their own competence and fitness to practice.

Answer

Following physician's orders without question.

Answer

Ensuring the profitability of their employing healthcare facility.

Answer

Supervising the work of all unregulated care providers.

A Practical Nurse (PN) is asked by a physician to administer a medication intravenously, a procedure the PN has not been trained to perform.Which of the following actions demonstrates professional accountability?

A Practical Nurse (PN) is asked by a physician to administer a medication intravenously, a procedure the PN has not been trained to perform.
Which of the following actions demonstrates professional accountability?