Nurses are working a night shift on a rehabilitation floor. During the shift, a client falls and breaks a hip. This client sues the nurses working on the shift, claiming negligence
Which condition(s) still need(s) to be met in order for the client to win the case against the nurses? Select all that apply.
1. Proof that the broken hip was directly caused by the nurses' actions
2. Proof that the standard of care was not met
3. Proof that the client suffered an injury
4. Proof that the nurses on the shift were responsible for the client's care
5. Proof that the nurses' failure to act put the client at risk for injury
Answer: 1; 2; 5
Rationale:
• Proof that the broken hip was directly caused by the nurses' actions: From the scenario, there is no indication of how the client fell and broke a hip. Therefore, the client would have to provide proof that one of the nurse's actions or inactions directly resulted in the fall and subsequent broken hip.
• Proof that the standard of care was not met: The standard of care is the "golden rule" in negligence cases. The client must provide proof that the nurses did not act in a manner in which any other nurse in the same situation would have acted.
• Proof that the client suffered an injury: The client doesn't have to prove the injury occurred. The scenario explicitly mentions the fall and the injury while on the unit.
• Proof that the nurses on the shift were responsible for the client's care: While hospitalized, the nurses have a duty to provide professional, competent care to the clients on the unit.
• Proof that the nurses' failure to act put the client at risk for injury: There is insufficient information about the exact nature of the fall and injury, so the client would have to provide proof that the nurses' actions or inactions put the client at risk for injury.
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