A practical nurse (PN) is providing care for several residents in an assisted living facility. Which of the following actions by the PN demonstrate proper adherence to legal and ethical nursing standards? Select all that apply.
- Documenting a resident's informed refusal of prescribed morning medications and notifying the provider.Answer
- BAccepting a task from the registered nurse (RN) to independently develop a new care plan for a complex admission.
- Disposing of personal shift notes containing protected health information into a secure shredder bin.Answer
- DDelaying a report of suspected elder financial exploitation until definitive legal proof is discovered.
- Serving as a witness to a resident's signature on an advance directive document after confirming their identity.Answer
- FDiscussing a resident's recent diagnosis with their visiting neighbors to help them understand the situation.
Answer
The correct actions are: documenting the medication refusal, disposing of shift notes in a secure shredder bin, and serving as a witness to a signature after confirming identity.
Proper adherence to ethical and legal guidelines involves respecting a client's right to refuse treatment, maintaining HIPAA compliance by properly destroying documents with protected health information, and acting within the PN scope of practice to witness signatures.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Legal and Ethical Practice