Question

The nurse working in an acute care environment would utilize which strategies to reduce the risk of malpractice litigation? Select all that apply.

1.Discuss any errors with the client and family in detail.
2.Keep incident reports on file.
3.Maintain expertise in practice.
4.Offer opinions to clients when the situation warrants.
5.Report unsafe staffing levels to supervisor

Answer 1

A nurse in an acute care setting should maintain expertise, keep incident reports, and report unsafe staffing levels to reduce the risk of malpractice litigation. Discussions with clients should follow hospital policies, and opinions should be provided judiciously.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse working in an acute care environment can utilize several strategies to reduce the risk of malpractice litigation. It is essential for a nurse to maintain expertise in practice, ensuring that they stay current with medical knowledge and procedures. Keeping incident reports on file is another important practice as it serves as documentation of any unusual occurrences and can help address issues proactively. Additionally, reporting unsafe staffing levels to a supervisor is critical, as adequate staffing is crucial to patient safety and can help prevent errors that may lead to malpractice claims.

While discussing errors with clients and their families, it should be done in a mindful and professional manner, often in adherence to hospital policy and with legal counsel advice. Offering personal opinions may not always be advisable unless the nurse is providing professional advice within the scope of their expertise and practice.

Answer 2

Nurses can reduce malpractice litigation risk by keeping incident reports on file, maintaining expertise in practice, and reporting unsafe staffing levels to supervisors (Options 2, 3, and 4).

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse working in an acute care environment can utilize several strategies to reduce the risk of malpractice litigation.

These strategies include maintaining expertise in practice, which encompasses ongoing education and adherence to updated medical protocols and best practices.

It also involves keeping thorough and detailed records, such as incident reports, which should be filed appropriately and not discussed in detail with clients and family, to preserve confidentiality and legal processes.

Furthermore, reporting unsafe staffing levels to a supervisor helps to address potential risks that could lead to negligent care and subsequent litigation.
Hence, the correct answers are Options 2, 3, and 4.