Question

Which nursing actions could result in professional negligence? Select all that apply.

a. Learns about a new piece of equipment.
b. Forgets to complete the assessment of a client.
c. Does not follow up on client's complaints.
d. Charts client's drug allergies.
e. Questions primary care provider about an illegible order.

Answer 1

Professional negligence in nursing includes failing to complete a patient assessment or not following up on patient complaints. Actions that improve patient care, like learning new equipment usage or addressing unclear orders, are considered responsible practices.

Step-by-step explanation:

Nursing actions that could result in professional negligence include situations where the nurse fails to perform their duties, leading to harm or risk of harm to a patient. Specific examples of such negligent actions are:

• Forgetting to complete the assessment of a client, which is a crucial part of patient care.
• Not following up on a client's complaints, potentially overlooking serious health issues.

In contrast, the actions of learning about a new piece of equipment, charting client's drug allergies, and questioning a primary care provider about an illegible order would likely be considered responsible nursing practices, as they aim at ensuring patient safety and care quality.