Professional and Ethical Practice Flashcards

A PN working in a long-term care facility discovers that a colleague has been falsifying vital sign records. The PN should:

Answer: Report the behaviour to the supervisor or appropriate authority

Falsifying records is professional misconduct that must be reported to protect client safety and uphold professional integrity.

Informed consent for a surgical procedure is primarily the responsibility of:

Answer: The surgeon performing the procedure

The physician or surgeon performing the procedure is responsible for obtaining informed consent; the PN may witness the signature and reinforce information.

A PN is caring for a client who is expressing suicidal ideation. The most immediate ethical and legal obligation is to:

Answer: Ensure client safety by reporting to the responsible physician and team immediately

When there is risk of serious harm, the duty to protect overrides confidentiality and requires immediate escalation.

Which action best demonstrates the PN's commitment to evidence-informed practice?

Answer: Consulting current clinical practice guidelines when planning care

Evidence-informed practice requires integrating current best evidence, clinical expertise, and client preferences into care decisions.

A client with dementia is unable to provide informed consent for a procedure. Who is the most appropriate decision-maker?

Answer: The client's legally designated substitute decision-maker

When a client lacks decision-making capacity, the legally designated substitute decision-maker is responsible for providing consent according to provincial legislation.

A PN who disagrees with a physician's order should first:

Answer: Clarify the order directly with the physician and express concerns professionally

PNs have a professional responsibility to question orders that appear unsafe or unclear through direct, respectful communication with the prescriber.

In the context of professional self-regulation, which body holds the authority to discipline a PN for professional misconduct in most Canadian provinces?

Answer: The provincial regulatory body for practical nurses

Provincial regulatory colleges (e.g., CLPNBC, CNO) have statutory authority to investigate complaints and impose disciplinary measures on PNs.