A licensed practical/vocational nurse caring for clients should be aware of the different types of laws that influence public life. Which situations exemplify public law (statutory law)? Select all that apply

Question

A) The nurse provides an absentee voter's ballot for a Presidential election for a client age 18 as requested following the U.S. Constitutional 26th Amendment.
B) The nurse signed a legal contract to work at a hospital according to contract law.
C) The nurse follows the strict rules and regulations set forth by the nurse's state nurse practice act.
D) The nurse failed to pay his rent on time and was evicted by the court from his apartment.
E) The nurse follows Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines by not caring for clients requiring chemotherapy administration while pregnant.

Answer 1

Ans: A, C, E
Feedback:
Laws that come from the government (federal, state, and local) are termed public (statutory) laws and include constitutional law, administrative law, and criminal law. This includes providing an absentee ballot, following the rules and regulations of the nurse practice act, and following OSHA guidelines. Contracts and civil or common laws are part of private law. Private law is between persons or parties and does not involve the larger public. This includes signing a contract to work and being evicted from one's apartment.