Nurse Practice Act
Define the Nurse Practice Act.
The Nurse Practice Act (NPA) is a state law that governs nursing practice and protects the public from unsafe practitioners.
Are licensed nurses and other healthcare professionals mandated to perform CPR?
Yes, according to the regulations set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, nursing homes are required to have CPR-certified staff available at all times and must initiate CPR on residents experiencing cardiac arrest, unless a valid Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is in place; this means nurses, along with other qualified staff, should be CPR certified and prepared to perform CPR when needed.
How many cases of nursing negligence are there per year?
According to available data, there is no single, definitive number for annual nursing negligence cases due to variations in reporting and data collection, but estimates suggest that thousands of nursing negligence cases are filed each year in the United States; with medication errors being a significant portion of these claims.
Define Nursing ethics.
Nursing ethics is the study of the moral aspects of nursing practice and includes the establishment of ethical standards, the description of ethical considerations, and the provision of ethical guidance.
Define LPN as stated in the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
LPNs (sometimes called LVNs, or Licensed Vocational Nurses, or LVNs) provide basic care to their patients. Their contribution is key, as they offer detailed assistance to registered nurses (RNs) or physicians by monitoring patient health, updating health records, and administering treatment. LPNs can work in various health care settings, including assisted living facilities, hospitals, and physicians' offices.
Where can you locate a copy of the NPA for review?
State Board of Nursing for your State of practice.
Define regulations.
A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority such as the State Boards of Nursing.
What are some common causes of nursing negligence?
Medication errors, failure to monitor patients properly, inadequate communication with doctors, and improper use of medical equipment are frequent contributors to negligence claims.
While not every nursing error leads to a lawsuit, serious patient harm or death can result in a significant negligence claim.
Define the ethical principle of Beneficence.
The principle of acting to benefit others, such as by preventing harm, removing harmful conditions, or choosing treatments that benefit patients. Examples include providing comfort to a dying patient or helping with tasks they can't do themselves.
What is the LPN practice according to the Missouri State Board Of Nursing?
"Practice of practical nursing", the performance for compensation of selected acts for the promotion of health and in the care of persons who are ill, injured, or experiencing alterations in normal health processes. Such performance requires substantial specialized skill, judgment and knowledge. All such nursing care shall be given under the direction of a person licensed by a state regulatory board to prescribe medications and treatments or under the direction of a registered professional nurse.
What does the NPA do?
1) Nursing practice acts originated to protect the public from unsafe and unlicensed practice, by regulating nursing practice and nursing education.
2) Nursing practice acts define nursing, set standards for the nursing profession, and give guidance regarding the scope of practice issues. As such, the state nursing practice act is the single most important piece of legislation affecting nursing practice.
What can happen to a nurse who does not perform CPR on a patient who is a FULL CODE?
A nurse can face legal repercussions for not performing CPR on a patient in cardiac arrest unless there is a valid "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) order in place, as this is generally considered medical negligence and could lead to a malpractice lawsuit if the patient suffers harm or dies as a result of the inaction; such cases often arise in nursing homes where nurses may be accused of neglecting residents by failing to initiate CPR when necessary.
What are nurses as a profession?
Nurses are licensed healthcare professionals and can be liable for medical malpractice in the same way as doctors and other health care providers.
Define the principle of Non-maleficence.
The principle of doing no harm, or minimizing the risk of causing harm to patients. For example, a nurse might withhold medication if they believe it will do more harm than good.
According to the Missouri State Board of Nursing, what is the practice of a professional nurse?
"Practice of professional nursing", is the performance for compensation of any act or action that requires substantial specialized education, judgment ,and skill based on knowledge and application of principles derived from the biological, physical, social, behavioral, and nursing sciences, including, but not limited to:
(a) Responsibility for the promotion and teaching of health care and the prevention of illness to the patient and his or her family;
(b) Assessment, data collection, nursing diagnosis, nursing care, evaluation, and counsel of persons who are ill, injured, or experiencing alterations in normal health processes;
(c) The administration of medications and treatments as prescribed by a person licensed by a state regulatory board to prescribe medications and treatments;
(d) The coordination and assistance in the determination and delivery of a plan of health care with all members of a health team;
(e) The teaching and supervision of other persons in the performance of any of the foregoing
What is the ultimate goal of the NPA?
The main purpose of nursing practice acts is to protect the public from unsafe practitioners, and the ultimate goal is competent, quality nursing care provided by qualified practitioners.
Define duty to act.
As a healthcare professional, a nurse has a legal duty to provide necessary medical care, including CPR, when a patient is experiencing cardiac arrest unless there is a clear DNR order.
What does a DNR cover?
A Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) order is a medical order that instructs emergency medical personnel and other health care professionals not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation
A DNR order does not affect other emergency care, such as pain medication, artificial nutrition, hydration, or treatment for major bleeding or difficulty breathing.
Define the principle of Autonomy.
The principle that patients have the right to make their own decisions based on their values and beliefs.
Who may utilize the title of licensed practical nurse?
Any person who holds a license to practice practical nursing in this state may use the title "Licensed Practical Nurse" and the abbreviation "LPN". No other person shall use the title "Licensed Practical Nurse" or the abbreviation "LPN". No other person shall assume any title or use any abbreviation or any other words, letters, signs, or devices to indicate that the person using the same is a licensed practical nurse.
What is the responsibility of ALL nurses?
Nurses have an ethical and legal responsibility to maintain knowledge and skills within their scope of practice.
Define Nursing negligence.
Nursing negligence occurs when a nurse fails to provide care to a patient in a way that meets the expected standards of conduct, resulting in harm to the patient. It is both a legal and ethical issue.
Examples
Should you withhold the Heimlich maneuver if someone has a DNR?
The presence of a DNR order does not mean that other interventions should not be done in situations other than cardiac or pulmonary arrest. For example, an individual with a DNR order who is choking should receive the Heimlich maneuver.
Define the principle of Accountability.
The principle of being answerable to oneself and others for one's actions.
Can all persons licensed as LPNs administer intravenous fluids?
No, according to the Missouri State Board of Nursing, one of the selected acts which may be performed by persons licensed under the provisions of this chapter as licensed practical nurses is the administration of intravenous fluid treatment. The administration of intravenous fluid treatment may be performed only by licensed practical nurses who have been instructed and trained in such procedures in a course of instruction approved by the board.