Nursing Jurisprudence and Ethics for Texas Nurses Practice Exam

How does Texas law define "abandonment" in nursing?

1. Leaving a patient without appropriate care

2. Failing to take notes during a patient visit

3. Handing off care without proper documentation

4. Declining to follow up due to personal reasons

The correct answer is: Leaving a patient without appropriate care

In Texas law, "abandonment" in the context of nursing refers specifically to leaving a patient without appropriate care. This definition captures the legal expectation that nurses must provide continuous and adequate care to their patients. When a nurse assesses that they can no longer fulfill their care responsibilities, they have a duty to ensure that the patient is transferred to another qualified healthcare provider or that appropriate care arrangements are made. Failing to do so puts the patient at risk and is viewed as abandonment. The other options do not encompass the legal definition of abandonment. For instance, while failing to take notes can be seen as a lapse in documentation, it does not equate to abandoning a patient. Similarly, improperly handing off care without documentation or declining follow-up due to personal reasons might reflect poor practice or unprofessional behavior, but they are not classified legally as abandonment unless the patient is left without care. The essence of abandonment lies in the absence of care rather than actions taken during the care continuum or personal decisions impacting follow-up.