TCRN Professional and Legal Issues Flashcards

A trauma nurse administers the wrong medication dose to a patient. The nurse's immediate priority after addressing the patient's safety is to:

Answer: Complete an incident/variance report and notify the treating physician

After ensuring patient safety, the nurse must notify the physician and complete an incident report to facilitate investigation and prevent recurrence.

Which document designates a person to make healthcare decisions on behalf of a patient who becomes incapacitated?

Answer: Durable power of attorney for healthcare

A durable power of attorney for healthcare designates a specific person (healthcare proxy) to make medical decisions if the patient cannot do so.

A trauma patient is a registered organ donor. The patient is declared brain dead. The nurse's role includes:

Answer: Notifying the organ procurement organization (OPO) and maintaining physiologic stability of the donor

Federal law requires hospitals to notify the OPO of all potential donors, and physiologic support must be maintained to preserve organ viability.

Which behavior by a trauma nurse best exemplifies the principle of justice in clinical practice?

Answer: Providing equitable care to all patients regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or insurance

Justice requires fair, equitable distribution of care and resources without discrimination based on personal characteristics or financial status.

A trauma nurse who acts as a patient advocate is primarily responsible for:

Answer: Ensuring the patient's rights, preferences, and needs are communicated and protected

Patient advocacy means actively protecting and promoting the patient's rights, preferences, and best interests within the healthcare system.

A nurse is floated to the trauma unit without adequate orientation. Which action best protects the nurse legally and ethically?

Answer: Communicate limitations to the charge nurse and request assignment of only patients within competency

Nurses must practice within their scope of competence; communicating limitations allows supervisors to make safe assignments and protects both the patient and the nurse.

Which statement about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is correct?

Answer: HIPAA permits sharing patient information among the treatment team without additional authorization

HIPAA's treatment exception allows providers directly involved in care to share information necessary for treatment without additional patient authorization.