Nursing Jurisprudence and Ethics for Texas Nurses Practice Exam

A nurse is counseled for questioning a physician's order that made the physician mad. Which of the following documents on the BON web site BEST explains why the nurse was correct to question a physician's order that the nurse believed could be harmful to a patient?

1. Guideline for LVN Scope of Practice under Board Rule 217.11

2. Guideline for Nurses Transitioning to a New Practice Setting

3. Position Statement 15.14 Duty of a Nurse in Any Setting

4. Statistics on the number of nurses living in each county in Texas

The correct answer is: Guideline for LVN Scope of Practice under Board Rule 217.11

The best document that explains why the nurse was correct to question a physician's order is the "Guideline for LVN Scope of Practice under Board Rule 217.11." This guideline outlines the responsibilities and expectations for Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), specifically emphasizing the obligation to advocate for patient safety and well-being. The rule recognizes that nurses have the authority to question orders that they believe may jeopardize patient safety, as part of their role in safeguarding their patients' health. By adhering to this guideline, the nurse demonstrates professional accountability and a commitment to ethical practice, ensuring that they act in the best interest of the patient. The other documents do not specifically address the nurse's duty to question potentially harmful orders. The "Guideline for Nurses Transitioning to a New Practice Setting" focuses on the adaptation and competencies required in new roles, rather than on questioning physician orders. Similarly, "Position Statement 15.14 Duty of a Nurse in Any Setting" outlines general ethical duties but may not directly reinforce the specific duty to question unsafe orders. The "Statistics on the number of nurses living in each county in Texas" is not relevant to the ethical obligations of nursing practice and does not provide context for the situation at hand.