Legal and Functional Aspects of Nursing, Exams of Nursing

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NUR 3738

Integrative Nursing

COMPLETED EXAM w/

RATIONALES

1. What is the legal responsibility of a nurse in ensuring patient safety and preventing harm? Answer: A nurse has a legal responsibility to adhere to safety protocols, report potential risks, and provide appropriate interventions to prevent harm to patients. This is crucial in maintaining patient safety and meeting the standard of care.
2. Can a nurse refuse to provide care to a patient based on personal beliefs or religious reasons? Answer: No, a nurse has a legal responsibility to provide care to all patients regardless of personal beliefs or religious reasons. This guarantees patient access to healthcare services and promotes equitable treatment.
3. Explain the legal responsibilities of a nurse in obtaining informed consent from a patient for a medical procedure. Answer: A nurse is responsible for ensuring that the patient fully understands the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives before obtaining informed consent. This involves providing detailed explanations, answering questions, and documenting the consent process.

8. What are a nurse's legal responsibilities in relation to documentation of an advance directive? Answer: A nurse must ensure that a patient's advance directive is accurately documented in their medical record. This includes understanding and respecting the patient's wishes regarding end-of-life care and notifying the healthcare team accordingly.
9. Can a nurse override a do not resuscitate (DNR) order during an emergency situation? Answer: No, a nurse cannot override a valid DNR order during an emergency situation. Nurses must respect and adhere to a patient's wishes as outlined in the DNR order, even in critical situations.
10. Discuss the legal obligations of a nurse in reporting medication errors. Answer: Nurses have a legal responsibility to report medication errors promptly to the appropriate individuals, such as the treating physician and nurse manager. Timely reporting ensures appropriate corrective measures are taken and helps prevent harm to the patient.
11. What legal responsibilities does a nurse have for reporting an incident of workplace violence? Answer: Nurses are legally obligated to report incidents of workplace violence to their immediate supervisor and follow their organization's policies and procedures. Reporting enables investigations and interventions to

ensure staff safety and prevent further occurrences.

12. Can a nurse disclose a patient's medical information to their family without the patient's consent? Answer: A nurse cannot disclose a patient's medical information to their family without the patient's consent, except in specific circumstances where the patient lacks decision-making capacity and disclosure is necessary for their well-being.
13. Discuss a nurse's legal responsibilities when dealing with patients who lack decision-making capacity. Answer: Nurses have a legal responsibility to advocate for patients who lack decision-making capacity and act in their best interest. This may include involving their legally authorized representative in decision-making and following the principles of substitute decision-making.
14. Can a nurse refuse to care for a patient with a contagious disease? Answer: No, a nurse cannot refuse to care for a patient with a contagious disease. Nurses have a legal obligation to provide care to all patients, regardless of their medical condition, while following appropriate infection control measures.
15. What legal responsibilities does a nurse have when delegating tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel? Answer: When delegating tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel, nurses have a legal responsibility to ensure that

Answer 2: Macronutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, play crucial roles in functional nutrition. Carbohydrates provide energy, proteins are essential for tissue repair and growth, and fats are involved in hormone production and nutrient absorption. Rationale: By comprehending the significance of macronutrients, nursing students can appreciate their impact on overall health and wellness. Question 3: Explain the concept of bioindividuality in the context of functional nutrition. Answer 3: Bioindividuality recognizes that each person has unique nutritional needs based on factors such as genetics, environment, and lifestyle. It underscores the importance of personalized nutrition plans tailored to individual requirements. Rationale: Understanding bioindividuality is fundamental for nursing students as it forms the basis for personalized care and treatment strategies. Question 4:

How can functional nutrition address gastrointestinal disorders, and what dietary interventions are commonly recommended? Answer 4: Functional nutrition approaches gastrointestinal disorders by identifying potential triggers such as food sensitivities and dysbiosis. Dietary interventions may include eliminating trigger foods and incorporating gut-supportive nutrients like probiotics and fiber. Rationale: Nursing students need to comprehend the role of functional nutrition in managing gastrointestinal disorders to provide holistic care to patients. Question 5: Discuss the impact of functional nutrition on chronic inflammatory conditions and the role of specific nutrients in mitigating inflammation. Answer 5: Functional nutrition can modulate chronic inflammation by emphasizing anti-inflammatory foods and nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. These components help reduce systemic inflammation and support overall health. Rationale: Understanding the influence of functional nutrition on

3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and magnesium are known to support cognitive function and emotional stability. Rationale: Understanding the connection between functional nutrition and mental health equips nursing students with valuable insights for holistic patient care. Question 8: Describe the principles of detoxification in functional nutrition and the role of dietary strategies in supporting the body's natural detox processes. Answer 8: Functional nutrition approaches detoxification by optimizing liver function, promoting antioxidant support, and enhancing pathways for eliminating toxins. Dietary strategies may involve consuming cruciferous vegetables, sulfur-rich foods, and adequate hydration to support detox mechanisms. Rationale: Nursing students need to comprehend the principles of detoxification to guide patients in adopting healthy dietary practices for detox support. Question 9: Explain the significance of hormone balance in functional nutrition and the role of specific nutrients in hormonal health.

Answer 9: Functional nutrition emphasizes hormone balance by addressing factors such as stress management, blood sugar regulation, and nutrient support for endocrine glands. Nutrients like vitamin D, zinc, and adaptogenic herbs play essential roles in supporting hormonal equilibrium. Rationale: Understanding the impact of functional nutrition on hormone balance is crucial for nursing students to assist patients in optimizing their endocrine health. Question 10: Discuss the role of functional nutrition in supporting immune function and the influence of dietary and lifestyle factors on immune health. Answer 10: Functional nutrition supports immune function by emphasizing nutrient-dense foods, adequate hydration, and stress reduction. Specific nutrients such as vitamin C, zinc, and probiotics play critical roles in enhancing immune resilience. Rationale: Nursing students should grasp the significance of functional nutrition in fortifying immune function to promote overall well-being in patients.

Rationale: Nursing students should comprehend the role of functional nutrition in optimizing metabolic flexibility to guide patients in achieving metabolic wellness. Question 13: Discuss the impact of functional nutrition on energy metabolism and the role of specific nutrients in supporting energy production and vitality. Answer 13: Functional nutrition influences energy metabolism by supporting mitochondrial function, optimizing nutrient intake, and addressing potential energy imbalances. Nutrients such as B vitamins, coenzyme Q10, and iron play crucial roles in energy production and vitality. Rationale: Understanding the influence of functional nutrition on energy metabolism is vital for nursing students to assist patients in improving their overall energy levels and vitality. Question 14: Examine the relationship between gut health and overall well-being in the context of functional nutrition, highlighting the role of the gut microbiome and dietary interventions for gut support. Answer 14:

Functional nutrition recognizes the integral connection between gut health and overall well-being, emphasizing the role of the gut microbiome in immune function, nutrient absorption, and mental health. Dietary interventions may include consuming prebiotic-rich foods, fermented products, and gut-healing nutrients to support gut integrity. Rationale: Nursing students should grasp the significance of gut health in functional nutrition to provide comprehensive care for patients with digestive and systemic health concerns. Question 15: Describe the principles of personalized nutrition in functional medicine and the significance of individualized dietary approaches in patient care. Answer 15: Personalized nutrition in functional medicine tailors dietary recommendations to each individual's unique needs, incorporating factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and health goals. This approach underscores the importance of individualized care to optimize health outcomes and promote long-term wellness. Rationale: Understanding the principles of personalized nutrition equips nursing students with essential knowledge for delivering patient-centered care and promoting individualized dietary strategies.

2. What is the difference between ethical dilemmas and ethical distress? Give an example of each and describe how a nurse can resolve them.

• Ethical dilemmas are situations where there are two or more conflicting moral values or obligations, and the nurse has to choose one over the other. For example, a nurse may face an ethical dilemma when the patient's family requests to withhold life-sustaining treatment from the patient who is in a persistent vegetative state, but the nurse believes that the patient has a chance of recovery. Ethical distress is a situation where the nurse knows what is the right thing to do, but is unable to do it because of external factors, such as institutional policies, legal constraints, or lack of resources. For example, a nurse may experience ethical distress when they have to provide substandard care to the patient due to understaffing or inadequate equipment. To resolve ethical dilemmas and distress, a nurse can use an ethical decision-making framework, such as the four-step process proposed by Beauchamp and Childress (2009). The steps are: (1) identify the ethical problem and gather relevant facts; (2) analyze the problem using ethical principles and theories; (3) explore the possible options and their consequences; and (4) select and justify the best option and implement it.

3. What is informed consent and why is it important in nursing? What are the essential elements of informed consent and what are some barriers to obtaining it?

• Informed consent is a process of communication between the patient and the health care provider, where the patient

voluntarily agrees to undergo a specific intervention or treatment after receiving adequate information about its benefits, risks, alternatives, and implications. Informed consent is important in nursing because it respects the patient's autonomy, protects their rights, promotes trust and collaboration, and prevents legal disputes. The essential elements of informed consent are: (1) competence: the patient must have the mental capacity to understand and decide; (2) disclosure: the health care provider must provide sufficient and relevant information to the patient; (3) comprehension: the patient must be able to understand the information and ask questions if needed; (4) voluntariness: the patient must be free from coercion or undue influence; and (5) consent: the patient must express their agreement verbally or in writing. Some barriers to obtaining informed consent are: (1) language or cultural differences: the patient may not speak or understand the same language as the health care provider or may have different values or beliefs; (2) cognitive impairment: the patient may have dementia, delirium, mental illness, or other conditions that affect their judgment; (3) emotional distress: the patient may be anxious, depressed, fearful, or angry and may not be able to process the information rationally; (4) power imbalance: the patient may feel intimidated or pressured by the health care provider or their family members; and (5) time constraints: the health care provider may not have enough time to explain everything clearly or answer all the questions.

information; and (6) educating oneself and others about the legal and ethical standards and policies regarding confidentiality.

5. What is accountability and why is it important in nursing? What are some sources and standards of accountability and what are some challenges to maintaining it?

• Accountability is a concept that implies that health care providers are answerable for their actions and decisions and can justify them based on evidence, rationale, and professional judgment. Accountability is important in nursing because it ensures quality and safety of care, promotes trust and respect, fosters professional growth and development, and protects the public interest. Some sources and standards of accountability are: (1) the patient: the nurse is accountable to the patient for providing competent, compassionate, and ethical care that meets their needs and expectations; (2) the employer: the nurse is accountable to the employer for following the policies, procedures, and guidelines of the organization and for using the resources efficiently and effectively; (3) the profession: the nurse is accountable to the profession for adhering to the code of ethics, standards of practice, scope of practice, and continuing competence requirements of the nursing regulatory body; (4) the society: the nurse is accountable to the society for contributing to the health and well-being of the population and for advocating for social justice and health equity. Some challenges to maintaining accountability are: (1) role ambiguity: the nurse may not

have a clear understanding of their role or expectations; (2) role conflict: the nurse may face competing or contradictory demands from different sources or stakeholders; (3) role overload: the nurse may have too many or too complex tasks to perform within a limited time or with limited resources; (4) role strain: the nurse may experience stress, burnout, moral distress, or compassion fatigue due to the nature or intensity of their work; and (5) role change: the nurse may have to adapt to new roles or responsibilities due to changes in practice settings, technology, legislation, or health care needs.

6. What is advocacy and why is it important in nursing? What are some types of advocacy and what are some skills and strategies for effective advocacy?

• Advocacy is an act of speaking up for or supporting the rights, interests, or needs of oneself or others, especially those who are vulnerable, marginalized, or oppressed. Advocacy is important in nursing because it empowers patients to make informed decisions and participate in their care; protects patients from harm or injustice; promotes quality and safety of care; and advances health equity and social justice. Some types of advocacy are: (1) patient advocacy: the nurse advocates for the patient by respecting their autonomy, providing information and education, facilitating communication, negotiating on their behalf, and intervening when necessary;