A nurse places a heating pad on the lower leg of a patient with peripheral vascular disease
When the heating pad is removed, it is apparent that the patient has sustained partial-thickness burns to the area covered by the pad, and the nurse is sued for malpractice. Which statement is true? a. All elements are present to find the nurse liable for damages.
b. Proximate cause cannot be established, so the nurse will not be found liable.
c. The standard of care in such a situation cannot be established, so the nurse will not be found liable.
d. No duty to the patient exists, so the nurse will not be held liable.
A
The nurse had a duty, that duty was breached, the injury was foreseeable, and the patient suffered harm (partial-thickness burn). All four elements for a malpractice suit are present. The other options do not show that all elements are present and are therefore incorrect.
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