module 2 NURS 3345 self assessment.docx

self-assessment will help you check your own understanding of important legal issues and their applications to nursing practice. Although this self-assessment will only count as a participation grade, answer it as be ...

self-assessment will help you check your own understanding of important legal issues and their applications to nursing practice. Although this self-assessment will only count as a participation grade, answer it as best as you can with your current knowledge. NOTE: If your state has its own version of a Safe Harbor law, you may apply it to this activity instead. In the responses, note that you are applying your state’s Safe Harbor provision. Additionally you must include the exact wording of your state’s Safe Harbor provision so the Academic Coach will have access to that information. If your state has no Safe Harbor provision, you will be responsible for reading the Texas provision and proceeding with the activity as if you were a Texas nurse. Follow all other directions as stated. Throughout module 2-3, we will be covering topics that will provide you with an understanding of what your legal options are in these types of situations. At the conclusion of Module 4, the answers will be discussed in the Review. Read this scenario then answer the questions that follow. ©2014 College of Nursing Page 1 of 3 Submit by Saturday of Module 2 Self-Assessment – Legal Issues You, the RN, arrive early on your regular orthopedic unit. Your Charge Nurse comes to you and says that you need to go to the cardiac step-down unit. You protest, but she says she has no control over the situation and that you at least need to go to the step-down unit and see what is going on. You arrive at the step-down unit. The House Supervisor is present with the unit Charge Nurse. You are told that the unit is very understaffed that day and that you must take patients. You protest that you have worked only orthopedics for the past 10 years- that you do not know the current cardiac drugs and side effects, the current treatments and post- treatment care and that you have never had to read the type of cardiac monitoring strips that are generated on all the patients on this unit. The House Supervisor tells you to not worry. She explains as follows:  There are monitoring techs who are responsible for reading the strips.  You have access to a PDR and Pharmacy if you have questions about the drugs.  A nurse with recent experience on this floor will be able to go around with you to orient you for about two hours. (That nurse must return to his regular floor in two hours.)] You again express concerns that you are not qualified to take this assignment. The House Supervisor takes you aside and says, “We need you to step up and help out here. We need team players in situations like this. If you refuse, I’m going to have to discuss your refusal with the Director of Nursing and your unit manager — it may not be good for your career here at this hospital. Besides, do you think you are the first nurse who ever had to take pati