Professional Responsibility State Practice Exam

Which of the following is a critical component of duty of care in nursing?

1. Obtaining payment before treatment

2. Preventing harm to the patient

3. Fulfilling administrative duties

4. Promoting self-management only

The correct answer is: Preventing harm to the patient

The critical component of duty of care in nursing is centered around preventing harm to the patient. This principle is fundamental to nursing practice as it encapsulates the responsibility nurses have to protect their patients' well-being. It emphasizes that nurses must be proactive in assessing patients' needs, recognizing potential risks, and implementing measures to mitigate these risks. Ensuring patient safety and delivering care that upholds their health is paramount in nursing, and failure to address issues that could lead to harm can lead to legal repercussions and ethical violations. In this context, obtaining payment before treatment relates more to financial arrangements and does not directly connect to the duty of care. Fulfilling administrative duties, while necessary for effective operations within a healthcare setting, does not inherently impact the direct care and safety of patients. Promoting self-management is important but is only one aspect of comprehensive patient care and does not encompass the broader responsibility of preventing harm. Thus, the focus on preventing harm highlights the core of nursing's duty of care and its ethical implications in practice.