A patient, injured at work, was seen by the factory occupational nurse. The nurse treated the wound and instructed the patient to get a tetanus antitoxin injection at the county health department.
The patient failed to follow instructions, developed tetanus, and subsequently filed a suit against the nurse. What is the most likely result of the ensuing trial? 1. The nurse is not liable, because tetanus is a reportable disease and the health department should have insisted the patient take the injection.
2. The nurse is liable, because there was no follow-up to ensure that the patient received the injection.
3. The nurse is liable, because tetanus is easily treatable after diagnosis.
4. The nurse is not liable for damages, because the nurse has a right to expect that instructions will be followed.
A patient refused to ambulate postoperatively and subsequently developed bilateral pneumonia, causing his hospital stay to be lengthened.
After discharge, the patient filed a lawsuit claiming his primary nurse was negligent in allowing him to develop pneumonia. What is the nurse's best defense in this case? 1. The patient was told that complications could arise when signing the informed consent form.
2. The patient should have anticipated a longer hospital stay if complications arose.
3. The patient was aware of the substandard care at the time it occurred.
4. The patient's conduct contributed to his complications.
The nurse has been sued for defamation after charting that the patient is a prostitute. What is the nurse's best defense in this case?
1. Define the contributing factors.
2. Prove that the statement is true.
3. No defense exists for defamation.
4. Provide hearsay evidence.
After 3 years of uneventful employment, the nurse made a medication error that resulted in patient injury. What hospital response to this event is ethical?
1. The hospital was supportive and assistive as the nurse coped with this event.
2. The nurse was dismissed for incompetence.
3. The hospital quality department advised the nurse not to tell the patient about the error.
4. The nurse was reassigned to an area in which there is no direct patient care responsibility.