The nurse manager is concerned that a staff nurse's care demonstrates gross negligence. What actions did the manager use to make this determination?

Question

1. Removed a client's central line
2. Reconnected contaminated intravenous tubing to a client
3. Accessed the computerized documentation system with a password
4. Walked a client with a blood pressure of 70/58 mm Hg to the bathroom
5. Delegated nasotracheal suctioning for a client to unlicensed assistive personnel

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1, 2, 4, 5

Rationale 1: Gross negligence involves extreme lack of knowledge, skill, or decision making that the person clearly should have known would put others at risk for harm. Removing a client's central line would be gross negligence.

Rationale 2: Gross negligence involves extreme lack of knowledge, skill, or decision making that the person clearly should have known would put others at risk for harm. Reconnecting contaminated intravenous tubing would be gross negligence.

Rationale 3: Accessing the computer documentation system with a password demonstrates compliance with HIPAA.

Rationale 4: Gross negligence involves extreme lack of knowledge, skill, or decision making that the person clearly should have known would put others at risk for harm. Walking a patient with an unsafe blood pressure is gross negligence.

Rationale 5: Gross negligence involves extreme lack of knowledge, skill, or decision making that the person clearly should have known would put others at risk for harm. Inappropriately delegating a skill is gross negligence.