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Ethical Legal Issues Elder Abuse

Terms in this set (18)

During a home visit, a nurse notes that an 80-year-old client's blood pressure is 166/99 mm Hg despite the recent introduction of a diuretic to the medication regimen. The client says, "My adult child refuses to give me the medicine because I wet myself. My child gets so furious when this happens." Which action should the nurse perform first?

A. Teach the adult child why the actions are inappropriate.
B. Improve the family dynamics.
C. Take measures to protect the client's safety.
D. Initiate legal action.
C. Take measures to protect the client's safety.
A nurse is assessing an older adult and a family caregiver. Which statement by a family caregiver would lead the nurse to suspect elder abuse?

A. "Mom cannot handle her own money any more so I have had to take over her banking."
B. "When my dad starts wandering around the house, I give him sleeping pills until he calms down and falls asleep in his chair."
C. "My mother says she wants me to do everything for her, but I think it is better if she keeps on doing everything she is still capable of."
D. "I get so frustrated because my father used to be so competent and now he cannot even use a toilet."
B. "When my dad starts wandering around the house, I give him sleeping pills until he calms down and falls asleep in his chair."
A nurse is reviewing the medical records of several clients. Which client would the nurse identify as being at highest risk for elder abuse?

A. A 76-year-old client who lives with an adult child and has no income except for Social Security
B. A 74-year-old client who lives alone and has a good income from investments
C. A 78-year-old client who lives alone and has limited income from a retirement fund
D. A 73-year-old client who lives with an adult child and is unable to drive a car
A. A 76-year-old client who lives with an adult child and has no income except for Social Security
A visiting nurse notices bruises on a client's arms. When asked about them, the client acts evasively and apprehensively. The nurse suspects that the caregiver has abused the client. Which action would be most appropriate by the nurse?

A. Wait until the next visit to see if the client is all right.
B. Assess the degree of danger that the client is in.
C. Confront the caregiver and threaten to report the suspicions.
D. Call the authorities to report suspected elder abuse.
B. Assess the degree of danger that the client is in.
The charge nurse should intervene when overhearing a gerontological nurse make which statement to a client?

A. "If you don't stay in the bed until I get back, I won't give you your pain medicine."
B. "I'll be back in about 10 minutes to give you your pain medicine."
C. "I'm going to put your belongings in the closet so they' don't get lost."
D. "I need to pull down your gown to listen to your heart."
A. "If you don't stay in the bed until I get back, I won't give you your pain medicine."
The nurse is administering pain medication to a hospitalized older adult who states he has had no pain relief at all from his last dose administered by the previous nurse. The nurse notices that there are no morphine ampules in the narcotic drawer. According to the opioid count sheet, there should be three ampules left. What is the nurse's best action?

A. Notify the healthcare provider to obtain an order for another pain medication.
B. Notify the pharmacy during the next delivery rounds.
C. Ask another registered nurse to re-count the drawer at the end of the shift.
D. Report the discrepancy immediately to the charge nurse.
D. Report the discrepancy immediately to the charge nurse.
An emergency room nurse is assessing an older client brought in by a concerned neighbor, who verbalizes that he found the client passed out in the yard. The neighbor states the client lives with his son and daughter-in-law, who were not home at the time. The client appears malnourished with dry skin and mucus membranes, matted hair, and has bruises of various stages of healing scattered over both arms and legs. The client's clothing smells of urine. What is nurse's best action?

A. Notify the local police authorities.
B. Tell the client's neighbor to contact a lawyer on behalf of the client.
C. Report the suspected elder abuse as required with state and facility policy
D. Ask for the telephone number of the client's son.
C. Report the suspected elder abuse as required with state and facility policy
Which of the following may be indicators of elder client abuse? Select all that apply.

A. Neglect
B. Sexual abuse
C. Infliction of pain on the client
D. Rigidity in family roles
E. Infliction of injury on the client
A. Neglect
B. Sexual abuse
C. Infliction of pain on the client
E. Infliction of injury on the client
In the admission's department a client signed a blanket consent form for routine care. For which procedure should the nurse obtain a separate consent?

A. intravenous fluid infusion
B. intramuscular injections
C. wound care
D. biopsy
D. biopsy
The nurse is concerned that a chronically ill older client is becoming debilitated from a treatment prescribed for a health problem and wonders if the treatment is causing more harm. What should the nurse do?

A. discuss the situation with the client's care team
B. suggest that the client tell the healthcare provider to stop the treatment
C. tell the family that the treatment is causing the client to be more ill
D. find out if the payment for the treatment could be suspended
A. discuss the situation with the client's care team
During the ethics committee meeting a situation is discussed where the family wants one course of treatment and the client desires another. On what should the committee members focus when discussing the situation?

A. the cost of the treatment
B. the family's desires
C. the time to provide the treatment
D. the client's desires
D. the client's desires
The nurse is concerned that a breach of client confidentiality has occurred. What information caused the nurse to consider this breach?

A. Charge nurse discussing the client's nutritional needs with the dietitian
B. Physical therapist talking with the charge nurse about the need to order a walker for the client
C. Health care provider discussing the client's diagnosis with a medical consultant
D. Nursing assistive personnel talking with someone on the phone about the client's diagnosis
D. Nursing assistive personnel talking with someone on the phone about the client's diagnosis
After providing a consent form for a surgical procedure the nurse observes the client placing the paper on the bedside table and looking away. What should the nurse do first?

A. Ask the client if there are any questions
B. Ask if someone else should be signing the form
C. Tell the client that the form needs to be signed now
D. Suggest the client place an X on the signature line
A. Ask the client if there are any questions
Two staff nurses from different care areas are having lunch while discussing a difficult client care situation. Which comment demonstrates a violation in client confidentiality?

A. "What can I do to increase protein intake for healing?"
B. "He's worried what the results of the HIV test will be."
C. "That wound care treatment you suggested is working!"
D. "I can't seem to keep the intravenous fluids infusing on time."
B. "He's worried what the results of the HIV test will be."
The nurse notes that an older client has a medical order stating to not perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation if the client experiences a cardiac or respiratory arrest. Which type of order has the health provider written for this client?

A. Assisted suicide
B. Palliative care
C. Rational suicide
D. Do not resuscitate
D. Do not resuscitate
What statement best demonstrates a nurse's understanding of the legal implications of elder abuse?

A. "I can report incidences when I have consent from the individual."
B. "My primary concern is whether the individual is cognitively impaired."
C. "If I believe the individual is in any danger, I need to report the situation."
D. "I need to be aware of an individual's right to privacy."
C. "If I believe the individual is in any danger, I need to report the situation."
An older adult found wandering in the street is brought to the emergency department by emergency medical services. The older adult is unkempt, confused, and exhibits numerous bruises to the face and neck as well as signs of malnutrition and dehydration. Which client problem should the nurse prioritize for assessment and intervention?

A. malnutrition
B. potential elder abuse
C. hygiene
D. dehydration
D. dehydration
The nurse is caring for an 80-year-old client with confusion who is being prepared for discharge. The nurse notes the client's adult child has left-sided weakness from a stroke several years earlier. What nursing action will best address the client and caregiver's safety?

A. Assess the caregiver's ability to help the client at home.
B. Encourage the caregiver to hire a home health aide.
C. Provide the caregiver information on elder abuse.
D. Ask the health care provider to send the client to a nursing home.
A. Assess the caregiver's ability to help the client at home.
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