CPNRE Legal Scope and Accountability 4

Question 1

A practical nurse witnesses a colleague administer a medication to the wrong patient. What is the practical nurse's primary legal obligation?

Accepted Answer

Document the incident and report it to the supervising nurse or manager immediately

Answer

Practical nurses are legally obligated to report medication errors through the facility's incident reporting system promptly to protect patient safety.

Question 2

Which concept describes the legal responsibility a practical nurse holds when delegating a task to an unregulated care provider?

Accepted Answer

Accountability for delegation

Answer

The practical nurse retains accountability for delegation decisions, including assessing whether the task is appropriate for the unregulated care provider's competency.

Question 3

A practical nurse is asked to perform a procedure they have not performed since nursing school and feel uncertain about. What should they do first?

Accepted Answer

Inform the supervisor of the competency gap and request supervision or support

Answer

Nurses must practice within their competence; acknowledging a gap and seeking supervision is the legally and ethically correct response.

Question 4

Which of the following best defines 'standard of care' in the context of practical nursing negligence claims?

Accepted Answer

The care a reasonably competent practical nurse would provide in similar circumstances

Answer

Standard of care is measured against what a reasonably competent practical nurse with similar training would do in the same or similar circumstances.

Question 5

A patient asks the practical nurse to keep their diagnosis secret from their spouse, who is listed as next of kin. The nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Respect the patient's confidentiality and not disclose to the spouse without consent

Answer

Competent adult patients control their own health information; next-of-kin status does not override a competent patient's right to confidentiality.

CPNRE - Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination Practice Test

CPNRE - Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination Practice Test

CPNRE Legal Scope and Accountability 4