Final answer:
The correct guideline for nurses to avoid liability is to practice within the scope of the Nurse Practice Act. This ensures legality and adherence to professional standards, which align with the principle of nonmaleficence to do no harm. Malpractice insurance, while useful, is not preventive in itself.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the statements provided, the one that serves as a guideline to help nurses avoid liability is to practice within the scope of the Nurse Practice Act. This is because adhering to the scope of practice helps ensure that a nurse is operating within the legal bounds of their professional capacity, which is informed by state law and the standards set forth by the nursing profession. While following a physician's orders is generally important, there are instances where those orders may be incorrect or unsafe, and a nurse has a duty to question orders that appear harmful, reflecting the principle of nonmaleficence which requires healthcare providers to avoid causing harm.
Having malpractice insurance is important for financial protection, but it does not inherently prevent liability; it simply provides a safety net in case of legal claims. The goal is to avoid incidents that might lead to liability in the first place. Therefore, the most directly preventive measure for avoiding liability is to practice safely and competently within the scope defined by the Nurse Practice Act and professional standards.