Legal Practice and Scope Flashcards
7 cards from real RPN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Legal Practice and Scope flashcards as text
An RPN is asked by a researcher to share de-identified patient data from charts for a study. The RPN should:
Answer: Direct the researcher to the facility's IRB and privacy officer for proper authorization
Even de-identified data sharing for research requires proper institutional review board (IRB) approval and privacy officer authorization.
Which of the following BEST defines 'informed consent' in nursing practice?
Answer: The patient receives adequate information about risks, benefits, and alternatives to make a voluntary decision
Informed consent requires disclosure of material information (risks, benefits, alternatives), patient comprehension, and voluntary agreement.
An RPN discovers that a coworker is diverting controlled substances for personal use. The PRIMARY obligation is to:
Answer: Report the situation to the supervisor and follow facility diversion policy
Drug diversion is a patient safety and legal issue requiring immediate reporting through proper channels per facility policy.
When can an RPN legally share a patient's mental health information with the patient's employer?
Answer: Only when the patient provides written authorization
Mental health information is especially protected and may only be released to an employer with the patient's explicit written authorization.
An RPN signs off on care they did not personally perform in order to help a busy colleague. This constitutes:
Answer: Falsification of medical records, a form of fraud
Charting care that one did not personally perform or verify is falsification of medical records, which is both illegal and a serious professional violation.
A patient withdraws consent for a procedure after signing the consent form but before the procedure begins. The RPN should:
Answer: Halt preparation, notify the physician, and document the withdrawal of consent
Consent can be withdrawn at any time before a procedure begins; the RPN must stop, notify the provider, and document.
Which action would place an RPN at risk for a charge of battery?
Answer: Administering an injection after the patient clearly refused it
Battery involves intentional, unauthorized physical contact; administering treatment after a patient's clear refusal constitutes battery.
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