Nursing Jurisprudence and Ethics for Texas Nurses Practice Exam

Which of the following situations is an example of a nurse MAINTAINING appropriate professional boundaries between the nurse and the client?

1. A nurse is personally attracted to a patient and calls and visits him on her days off "to check on how he is doing."

2. A nurse responds less frequently to a demanding patient's call light.

3. A nurse rewards a patient with a small stuffed mascot of his favorite football team for progress made in rehabilitation.

4. A nurse shares personal information regarding her recent bankruptcy because the patient seems genuinely interested.

The correct answer is: A nurse is personally attracted to a patient and calls and visits him on her days off "to check on how he is doing."

The correct answer demonstrates the importance of maintaining professional boundaries in nursing practice. In the context of nursing, appropriate professional boundaries refer to the limits that protect the space between the nurse’s professional role and the patient’s personal life. Keeping such boundaries helps to ensure that the nurse remains objective, provides high-quality care, and respects the patient’s autonomy. In this situation, a nurse visiting a patient outside of professional duties, because of personal attraction, crosses those professional boundaries. This can lead to dual relationships that are unethical and potentially harmful. Professional boundaries are critical in preserving the integrity of the nurse-patient relationship. By contrasting this with the other options, it's evident that each of those scenarios equally demonstrates boundary violations or inappropriate interactions. The second choice involves reduced responsiveness to a patient’s needs, which can be detrimental to patient care and trust. The third option indicates the potential for favoritism or manipulation of patient emotions through rewarding behavior, which can compromise the ethical principle of justice. Finally, in sharing personal financial difficulties, the nurse blurs the lines of professionalism, shifting the focus from patient care to personal issues, which can undermine the therapeutic relationship. Understanding and maintaining professional boundaries is essential for effective, ethical nursing practice, ensuring that the relationship remains guided by the needs of