Nursing Jurisprudence and Ethics for Texas Nurses Practice Exam

In the NPA, "conduct subject to reporting" includes:

1. conduct that causes a person to suspect that the nurse's practice is impaired by chemical dependency or drug or alcohol abuse.

2. mandatory overtime resulting in sixteen consecutive hours worked.

3. a nurse who disagrees with the supervisor over a patient assignment.

4. the occurrence of 2 minor incidents within a twelve month period in a facility with no nursing peer review.

The correct answer is: conduct that causes a person to suspect that the nurse's practice is impaired by chemical dependency or drug or alcohol abuse.

The correct answer identifies a crucial aspect of the Nursing Practice Act (NPA) regarding the obligations of nurses to report specific behaviors that may compromise patient safety or the integrity of nursing practice. Conduct that causes suspicion of impairment due to chemical dependency or substance abuse is taken very seriously, as it poses a significant risk not only to the nurse's ability to perform their duties but also to the safety and care of patients. This type of conduct qualifies as "subject to reporting" because it can lead to unsafe nursing practice, potentially endangering patients. The NPA establishes a legal and ethical framework that obligates nurses to prioritize patient safety, and reporting such conduct is a critical step in maintaining professional standards and accountability within the nursing profession. The other choices describe situations that may raise concerns but do not fall under the same level of reporting obligation as impairment due to substance use. For instance, mandatory overtime or disagreements with supervisors, while they may create challenging work conditions, do not directly indicate a risk to patient safety or professional integrity. The occurrence of minor incidents, unless they indicate a deeper issue concerning the nurse's competence or fitness to practice, similarly may not trigger the need for reporting under the standards outlined in the NPA.