Pre-Test 1 and 2: Introduction to Special Questions Based on Official NCLEX-RN[®]
56. Causation is an element that must be demonstrated by the plaintiff in a suit against a nurse for professional malpractice. Under what circumstance will the actions of the nurse be determined to be within a legal causal connection? Select all that apply.
. Only if the nurse's action directly causes the harm.
. If the harm caused was a foreseeable consequence of the nurse's action.
. If the nurse is named in the lawsuit.
. If the nurse was involved in any of the client's care.
. When the nurse did not follow the standards of care and harm was caused.
. If the nurse performed harmful actions while taking narcotic medications.
Test-Taking Tip
Answers that include absolute words such as "only" (Answer 1) and "any" (Answer 4) are likely to be wrong.
Content Area: Management of Care, Legal; Integrated Process: Nursing Process, Analysis; Cognitive Level: Application; Client Need/Subneed: Safe and Effective Care Environment/Management of Care/Legal Rights and Responsibilities
Pre-Test 1 and 2: Introduction to Special Questions Based on Official NCLEX-RN[®]
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Answer 1 is incorrect because the legal causal connection includes indirect as well as direct cause. Answer 2 is correct because legal cause includes both harm caused directly by the actions of the nurse and harm caused by others when the actions of the nurse knowingly placed the client at risk of harm. Answer 3 is incorrect because anyone named in a lawsuit is entitled to a defense that shows that the actions were outside of the legal causal connection. Answer 4 is incorrect because the involvement of the nurse would have to have some direct or indirect connection to the harm produced. Answer 5 is correct because, if the nurse's actions are outside the standards of care and the actions cause harm to the client, then the nurse's actions are within the legal causal connection. Answer 6 is correct because harm caused by a nurse giving care under the influence of narcotic medications is within the legal causal connection.