Author Question: A home health nurse notices that a patient's preschool children are often playing on the sidewalk ... (Read 128 times)

mcmcdaniel · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

A home health nurse notices that a patient's preschool children are often playing on the sidewalk and in the street unsupervised and repeatedly takes them back to the home and talks with the patient, but the situation continues.

Which immediate action by the nurse is mandated by law?
a. Contact the appropriate community child protection facility.
b. Tell the parents that the authorities will be contacted shortly.
c. Take pictures of the children to support the overt child abuse.
d. Discuss with both parents about the safety needs of their children.

Question 2

While recovering from a severe illness, a hospitalized patient wants to change a living will, which was signed 9 months ago. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

a. Check with your admitting health care provider whether a copy is on your chart.
b. Let me check with someone here in the hospital who can assist you.
c. You are not allowed to ever change a living will after signing it.
d. Your living will can be changed only once each calendar year.

s.meritte · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The nurse has a duty to report this situation to protect the children. Any health care professional who does not report suspected child abuse or neglect may be liable for civil or criminal legal action. Talking with both parents is not mandated by law. There is no obligation to tell the parents that they will be reported to authorities. There is no obligation for the nurse to take pictures of the children.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
As long as the patient is not declared legally incompetent or lacks the capacity to make decisions, living wills can be changed. It is the nurse's responsibility to find an appropriate person in the facility to assist the patient. Checking with the health care provider about the presence of a living will on the chart has nothing to do with the patient's desire to change the living will. The question states that the patient wants to change a living will. A living will can be changed whenever the patient decides to change it, as long as the patient is competent.