LVN Legal and Ethical Practice 3

Question 1

Which action constitutes battery in the nursing context?

Accepted Answer

Performing a procedure on a competent patient who explicitly refused it

Answer

Battery is the unauthorized, offensive touching of another person; performing a procedure on a patient who refused it meets this legal definition.

Question 2

An LVN observes signs of physical abuse on an elderly patient admitted from a nursing home. The LVN is legally required to:

Accepted Answer

Report the suspected abuse to the supervisor and appropriate authorities

Answer

LVNs are mandated reporters; suspected elder abuse must be reported to the supervisor and the relevant protective services agency.

Question 3

The term 'respondeat superior' in nursing law means:

Accepted Answer

Employers can be held liable for the negligent acts of their employees

Answer

Respondeat superior is the legal doctrine holding employers vicariously liable for employees' negligent acts performed within the scope of employment.

Question 4

A patient with decision-making capacity asks the LVN to keep their HIV status secret from their spouse. The LVN should:

Accepted Answer

Maintain confidentiality and consult the supervisor about duty-to-warn obligations

Answer

Confidentiality must be respected, but the LVN should escalate the ethical tension around duty-to-warn to a supervisor or ethics committee for guidance.

Question 5

Which of the following best defines 'negligence' in nursing practice?

Accepted Answer

Failure to meet the standard of care that a reasonably prudent nurse would provide

Answer

Negligence occurs when a nurse fails to act as a reasonably prudent nurse would under similar circumstances, resulting in patient harm.

(LVN) Licensed Vocational Nurse Practice Test

(LVN) Licensed Vocational Nurse Practice Test

LVN Legal and Ethical Practice 3