Question

After reporting to work for a night shift, the nurse learns that the unit is understaffed because two RNs called out sick. As a result, each nurse on the unit must provide care for four acute clients in addition to the nurse's regular clients. Which statement is true for this nurse when working in understaffed circumstances?

Answer 1

Answer:

The nurse will be legally held to the same standards of care as when staffing levels are normal.

Explanation:

Medical service must maintain an excellent quality standard because it is responsible for the health and maintenance of people's lives. Nurses and doctors have to obey a maximum quality standard, this standard must be maintained even in adverse situations, as in the situation shown in the question, where the reduction of RNs led to overwork for the remaining nurses. For this reason, we can conclude that the correct answer to your question is "The nurse will be legally held to the same standards of care as when staffing levels are normal."