LVN Legal and Ethical Practice 2

Question 1

A patient refuses a prescribed medication. What is the LVN's first appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Document the refusal and notify the charge nurse or supervising RN

Answer

The LVN must respect patient autonomy, document the refusal, and report it to the supervising nurse for follow-up.

Question 2

Which document legally authorizes another person to make healthcare decisions for a patient who becomes incapacitated?

Accepted Answer

Durable power of attorney for healthcare

Answer

A durable power of attorney for healthcare designates a healthcare proxy to make decisions when the patient lacks decision-making capacity.

Question 3

An LVN witnesses a co-worker falsifying a patient's medication administration record. What should the LVN do?

Accepted Answer

Report the falsification to the supervisor and document the observation

Answer

Falsifying medical records is fraudulent and illegal; the LVN has a professional and legal duty to report it to a supervisor.

Question 4

Under HIPAA, which of the following is permissible without specific patient authorization?

Accepted Answer

Releasing information to other treating providers for continuity of care

Answer

HIPAA permits disclosure of PHI to other treating providers without authorization because it is needed for treatment purposes.

Question 5

A patient signs a consent form but later tells the LVN they did not understand what they signed. The LVN should:

Accepted Answer

Notify the supervising RN or physician so informed consent can be re-established

Answer

Informed consent requires understanding; if that is lacking, the procedure should be paused and the provider notified to re-explain and re-obtain consent.

(LVN) Licensed Vocational Nurse Practice Test

(LVN) Licensed Vocational Nurse Practice Test

LVN Legal and Ethical Practice 2