Question

Which of the following puts the nurse at increased risk for legal action?

Option 1: Lack of proper documentation
Option 2: Regular continuing education
Option 3: Collaborative teamwork
Option 4: Effective communication with colleagues

Answer 1

Among the provided options, 'lack of proper documentation' increases a nurse's risk for legal action, whereas regular education, teamwork, and communication may lower it.The correct option is 1.

Step-by-step explanation:

The factor that puts a nurse at increased risk for legal action among the given options is lack of proper documentation. Proper documentation is essential as it is a record of the care provided to patients and a defense mechanism against claims of negligence. In contrast, regular continuing education, collaborative teamwork, and effective communication with colleagues are all practices that tend to reduce the risk of legal issues by ensuring that nurses are up-to-date with the latest medical practices, promote positive working environments, and prevent misunderstandings or errors in patient care.

Conditions such as work overload, dealing with patient concerns, and interpersonal problems with other medical staff can contribute to the risk of legal issues if they interfere with the ability to provide appropriate care and maintain accurate documentation. However, these are separate factors not listed as options in the original question.