Final answer:
Nursing actions that could result in malpractice include forgetting to complete a client's assessment and not following up on client's complaints. Proper practices such as learning about new equipment, charting drug allergies, or clarifying orders are not malpractice. The relationship between doctors and nurses, tackling simple yet complex problems, and determining liability are all nuanced aspects of healthcare.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering which nursing actions could result in malpractice, it's important to understand that malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider deviates from the recognized standard of care in the treatment of a patient, resulting in harm to the patient. Nursing actions that could result in malpractice include:
- Forgetting to complete the assessment of a client. This could lead to a lack of crucial information about the patient's condition and result in substandard care.
- Not following up on a client's complaints. Ignoring or not addressing patient complaints can lead to their condition worsening and is a deviation from a high standard of nursing care.
Actions such as learning about new equipment, charting a client's drug allergies, or questioning a primary care provider about an illegible order are considered responsible nursing practices and are unlikely to lead to malpractice. Regarding the relationship between doctors and nurses, doctors have more authority in a medical setting, which could influence their reactions to list-checking protocols differently than nurses, who may advocate more strongly for their use.
The problems tackled in ensuring safe medical practices can be both simple and complex. The need for clear communication and proper labeling is a simple fundamental concept, yet the actual implementation across diverse and busy healthcare settings can be complex. Similarly, the use of safety checklists is a simple solution, but ensuring compliance and effectiveness in real-life scenarios has complexities.
Issues of liability in healthcare involve multiple parties, including hospitals, health-care workers, equipment manufacturers, and the government. Each has a role in maintaining the safety of medical protocols and equipment. Even if a procedure is followed to the letter, if it is inherently flawed and leads to patient harm, health-care workers and hospitals may still find themselves facing liability. Similarly, if lifesaving equipment fails due to manufacturer defect, there may be grounds for holding the manufacturer liable. The government has regulatory responsibilities to ensure safety standards are met and maintained in the healthcare industry.