Hospital policy states that a registered nurse must cosign all charts that licensed practical nurses complete. What is the effect of this policy on the registered nurse?
1. It places the RN in the position of endorsing and authenticating the entries made in the charts cosigned.
2. It gives legal proof that the RN was in the hospital.
3. It makes the RN personally liable for any subsequent harm that befalls the patient.
4. It has no legal effect on the RN.
1
Rationale: Cosigning is a practice that is becoming less frequent. It does place the nurse potentially liable for care, observations, or omissions as charted. Therefore, it does have a legal effect on the RN. The RN may have cosigned at a date other than the event, so it does not give absolute proof that the RN was in the hospital. While there are legal implications of endorsing or authenticating entries by cosigning, the person delivering the care is also liable for any harm that may occur due to malpractice. Liability does not lie exclusively with the person who cosigned.
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