PSN – D3

A nurse is overheard discussing a patient’s condition with another nurse in the hospital cafeteria. Which ethical principle is being violated?

A 45-year-old patient is scheduled to undergo a surgical procedure. The nurse is responsible for ensuring that the patient’s informed consent is obtained. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to verify that the consent process is completed correctly?

A nurse accesses a patient’s medical record without a clear clinical need. This action violates the principles of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Which of the following actions by the nurse best exemplifies a breach of confidentiality?

A nurse becomes aware that a colleague is repeatedly administering incorrect doses of medication to patients. The nurse has not observed any direct harm to patients, but suspects that the colleague’s actions may lead to a serious patient safety issue. What should the nurse do?

A 38-year-old pregnant woman at 32 weeks gestation refuses to undergo an emergency cesarean section after a non-reassuring fetal heart rate is noted. The healthcare team explains the risks to both the mother and the fetus, but the woman remains adamant in her decision to refuse the surgery. Which of the following actions is most appropriate for the nurse to take?

A nurse is working in a busy hospital unit and receives a phone call from a colleague in another department who asks for information about a patient that the nurse is caring for. The nurse knows that the colleague is not involved in the patient’s care. Which of the following actions by the nurse is most appropriate?

A 75-year-old patient with advanced Alzheimer’s disease is admitted to the hospital with aspiration pneumonia. The patient’s family is unsure of what the patient’s wishes are regarding life-sustaining treatments. The patient has no advance directive, and the family is asking the nurse whether they should proceed with resuscitation if the patient’s condition worsens. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A nurse suspects that a physician is frequently prescribing excessive amounts of narcotic pain medication to patients without clear medical justification. The nurse feels uncomfortable confronting the physician directly but is concerned about the potential for harm to patients. What is the nurse’s most appropriate action?