Nursing Jurisprudence and Ethics for Texas Nurses Practice Exam

A nurse was arrested for making death threats with a gun, then subsequently admitted to a psychiatric facility, and diagnosed with previously untreated and other mental health conditions. The BON is likely to consider the conduct by this nurse as grounds for disciplinary action on the nurse's license due to

1. exposing patients or the public to a communicable disease

2. lack of fitness to practice which may impose a risk to patients

3. the likeliness the nurse would have the diagnoses for life

4. the nurse not obtaining treatment when symptoms first occurred

The correct answer is: exposing patients or the public to a communicable disease

The other options are incorrect because B. While lack of fitness to practice is a valid concern, it does not directly relate to the nurse's actions and behavior surrounding the incident with the gun. C. While the diagnosis may have lifelong implications, it is not the main factor in determining the disciplinary action taken by the BON. D. The nurse seeking treatment when symptoms first occurred would not necessarily affect the BON's decision, as the incident and resulting diagnosis occurred after the nurse was licensed.