Nursing Jurisprudence and Ethics for Texas Nurses Practice Exam

Substance abuse and patient abandonment are serious violations that can lead to disciplinary measures from the Texas Board of Nursing. Engaging in substance abuse while practicing nursing undermines the nurse's ability to provide safe and effective care to patients, posing a significant risk to patient safety and wellbeing. The nursing profession mandates that practitioners maintain a high standard of ethical practice, and substance abuse directly contradicts this obligation.

Patient abandonment occurs when a nurse fails to provide necessary care to a patient or leaves a patient without making appropriate arrangements for their continuity of care. This is a serious breach of professional responsibility, as nurses have a legal and ethical duty to ensure their patients receive the care they need.

In contrast, following standard protocols and providing voluntary overtime are generally in line with nursing best practices and demonstrate a commitment to the profession. Offering medical advice to family members may not constitute a violation by itself, but it could lead to issues if that advice is given outside the professional scope of practice or without adequate context and understanding of the patient's medical history.

Hence, substance abuse and patient abandonment are clear actions that would attract disciplinary action from the Texas Board of Nursing due to their impact on patient safety and the integrity of the nursing profession.