Final answer:
To best defend against a lawsuit, an LPN/LVN should promote a positive nurse-patient relationship, adhere to safety regulations, and engage in proper infection control measures while also considering patient privacy and treatment costs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The LPN/LVN knows that one of the best defenses against a lawsuit is for a nurse to promote a positive nurse-patient relationship. Fostering good communication and trust can often prevent misunderstandings and dissatisfaction that may lead to legal action. While working in a large hospital or nursing home might provide more administrative support, and carrying individual professional liability insurance is a prudent measure for financial protection, these do not necessarily prevent a lawsuit from occurring. Ensuring that each patient's needs are met quickly is important for patient care but does not solely guard against legal claims.
Healthcare providers must also ensure compliance with protocols and procedures designed to minimize risk and injury. Such measures include providing safety training, keeping accurate health records, offering personal protective equipment, and adhering to OSHA regulations for workplace safety and health. Furthermore, to prevent the transmission of infections like HBV in healthcare settings, it's critical to follow strict infection control protocols, such as using proper sterilization techniques, employing safe needle practices, and ensuring healthcare workers are vaccinated against HBV.
Lastly, when developing policies, it's essential to consider the balance between treatment costs, patient quality of life, and privacy risks. Questions that may arise include how to maintain patient confidentiality, how to ensure equitable access to treatments, and how to handle inadvertent privacy breaches.