Ethical Standards & Legal Responsibilities Flashcards
7 cards from real LVN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Ethical Standards & Legal Responsibilities flashcards as text
An LVN discovers a colleague falsifying medication administration records. What is the LVN's primary obligation?
Answer: Report the falsification to a supervisor or appropriate authority
LVNs are legally and ethically obligated to report suspected fraud or falsification of records to protect patient safety.
Which legal doctrine holds employers responsible for the negligent acts of their employees performed within the scope of employment?
Answer: Respondeat superior
Respondeat superior ('let the master answer') makes employers vicariously liable for employee negligence during employment duties.
A patient tells the LVN they want to leave the hospital against medical advice (AMA). The LVN should FIRST:
Answer: Inform the supervising nurse/physician and document the patient's request
Competent adults have the right to refuse treatment; the LVN must notify the appropriate provider and follow AMA documentation procedures.
Which ethical principle requires the LVN to keep a promise made to a patient?
Answer: Fidelity
Fidelity refers to the duty to keep promises and honor commitments made to patients.
An LVN administers the wrong medication due to a misread order. Which action is legally required after notifying the supervisor?
Answer: Complete an incident/variance report documenting the error
Incident reports are a legal requirement to document medication errors and initiate follow-up for patient safety.
Under HIPAA, which of the following is permissible without patient authorization?
Answer: Disclosing information to treating providers for continuity of care
HIPAA permits disclosure of PHI among treating healthcare providers for treatment purposes without patient authorization.
A patient refuses a blood transfusion based on religious beliefs. The LVN should:
Answer: Respect the refusal and document it, notifying the care team
Competent adult patients have the right to refuse treatment for any reason, including religious beliefs, and the LVN must respect and document this.