TCRN TCRN Professional and Legal Issues 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A trauma nurse suspects a patient is a victim of human trafficking. The priority nursing action is to:
- Assess the patient privately, screen using a validated tool, and report to appropriate authorities per facility policy (Correct answer)
- Immediately confront the accompanying individual
- Discharge the patient without intervention to avoid retaliation
- Ask the accompanying person to translate the screening questions
Correct answer: Assess the patient privately, screen using a validated tool, and report to appropriate authorities per facility policy
Private assessment using a validated trafficking screening tool, followed by reporting per policy, is the safest and most effective evidence-based response.
Question 2: Which action violates a trauma patient's right to confidentiality?
- Discussing a patient's injuries with a curious coworker who is not involved in the patient's care (Correct answer)
- Reporting a gunshot wound to law enforcement as required by state law
- Sharing information with the patient's surgeon for continuity of care
- Disclosing information to the organ procurement organization after brain death
Correct answer: Discussing a patient's injuries with a curious coworker who is not involved in the patient's care
Sharing patient information with staff who have no care-related need-to-know violates HIPAA and the patient's right to privacy.
Question 3: A trauma nurse disagrees with a physician's treatment plan for ethical reasons. The most appropriate course of action is to:
- Express concerns to the physician, document the discussion, and use the ethics committee if unresolved (Correct answer)
- Follow the order silently to avoid conflict
- Independently change the treatment plan without notifying the physician
- Refuse all further care for the patient
Correct answer: Express concerns to the physician, document the discussion, and use the ethics committee if unresolved
Ethical disagreements should be addressed through direct professional communication and escalation to ethics resources when needed, while continuing safe patient care.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of peer review in trauma nursing practice?
- To evaluate clinical performance and identify opportunities for improvement without punitive intent (Correct answer)
- To discipline nurses who make errors
- To generate documentation for malpractice litigation
- To rank nurses by performance for salary decisions
Correct answer: To evaluate clinical performance and identify opportunities for improvement without punitive intent
Peer review in a just culture context is a quality improvement process focused on learning and improvement, not punishment.
Question 5: A TCRN is caring for a minor trauma patient whose parents disagree about treatment. The nurse should:
- Follow facility legal counsel guidance and, if urgent, provide stabilizing care while the dispute is resolved (Correct answer)
- Wait until both parents agree before providing any treatment
- Allow the parent present at bedside to make all decisions without further inquiry
- Treat the patient according to the nurse's own judgment without parental input
Correct answer: Follow facility legal counsel guidance and, if urgent, provide stabilizing care while the dispute is resolved
In emergencies, stabilizing care proceeds regardless of parental disagreement; custody and consent disputes are resolved through legal channels.
Question 6: Which scenario represents a conflict of interest that a trauma nurse must disclose or avoid?
- Accepting gifts from a medical device company while making product recommendations to the unit (Correct answer)
- Reporting a near-miss incident anonymously through the hospital system
- Seeking consultation from a specialist for a complex patient case
- Attending a hospital-sponsored continuing education event
Correct answer: Accepting gifts from a medical device company while making product recommendations to the unit
Accepting gifts from industry while influencing product decisions creates a conflict of interest that must be disclosed or avoided to maintain professional integrity.
Question 7: Which statement accurately describes the nurse's role regarding informed consent for a trauma procedure?
- The nurse may witness the patient's signature after the physician has provided the information and the patient verbalizes understanding (Correct answer)
- The nurse is responsible for explaining all risks and benefits of the procedure
- Witnessing consent means the nurse is confirming the patient's medical decision is correct
- Nurses may obtain informed consent independently for any procedure they perform
Correct answer: The nurse may witness the patient's signature after the physician has provided the information and the patient verbalizes understanding
The nurse's witnessing role confirms the patient signed voluntarily and appeared competent; the responsibility for the informed consent discussion belongs to the procedure provider.
TCRN TCRN Professional and Legal Issues 5
A trauma nurse suspects a patient is a victim of human trafficking.
The priority nursing action is to: