Chapter 31: Common Legal and Ethical Issues Touhy: Ebersole & Hess' Toward Healthy Aging, 9th Edition MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. A nurse suspects that her next-door neighbor, an older woman, is a victim of elder abuse by
her daughter. What is the appropriate action for the nurse to do in this situation? a. Because the neighbor is not a patient, the nurse should not get involved. b. Visit the neighbor frequently to confirm the suspicions. c. Complete a confidential report with the adult protective services in the area. d. Ask the neighbor herself if she is being abused. ANS: C
The best action is to make a confidential report with the local adult protective agency. Suspected cases should be reported at once to the agency, which will send a trained investigator to determine whether an abusive or imminently dangerous situation exists and will be able to offer safety to the victim and resources to the relatives and family members. In some states with mandatory reporting, failure to report suspicions may result in civil and/or criminal penalties. Also in states with mandatory reporting, the nurse can be held liable for civil and criminal penalties for failure to report suspected cases of abuse. In states without mandatory reporting, it becomes an ethical issue if the nurse is aware of suspected abuse and does not report it. Making a personal investigation will not obtain a safe environment for the neighbor in a timely manner. Asking the neighbor about abuse will not quickly obtain a safe environment or help if needed. DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p. 424 TOP: Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity 2. The nurse is providing care to a client diagnosed with dementia. What option is an example of
the appropriate use of implied consent by the nurse? a. Preparing to draw blood from a client’s arm after asking, “Can I see your arm?” b. Changing the client’s dressing when the client asks, “Will you change this bandage now?” c. Using the client’s monthly allowance to buy a watch when he continuously asks for the time d. Arranging for a benign mole to be removed after the client states, “I don’t like this here.” ANS: B
The correct option demonstrates the client’s willing to have a low-risk procedure completed. The remaining options, especially the one dealing with a surgical procedure, lack the element of client cooperation and/or understanding in the decision-making process. DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p. 423 TOP: Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity 3. Which option is an example of elder exploitation? a. A homebound client is left alone for days at a time by the caregiver.
