Question

an older client who requires frequent monitoring fell and fractured a hip. which nurse is at greatest risk for a malpractice judgment? a the nurse assigned to care for the client who was at lunch at the time of the fall. b the charge nurse who completed rounds 30 minutes before the fall occurred. c the nurse who transferred the client to the chair when the fall occurred. d the nurse who worked the 7 to 3 shift at the hospital and wrote poor nursing notes.

Explanation:

Malpractice in nursing involves a breach of duty of care that directly causes harm to a patient. For a fall leading to injury, the nurse with the most direct link to the incident (failing to ensure safety during the action that led to the fall) faces the highest risk.

• Option A: The nurse at lunch was not providing direct care at the time of the fall, so their duty of care was transferred.
• Option B: The charge nurse completed rounds 30 minutes prior, which does not directly relate to the immediate fall event.
• Option C: This nurse was directly assisting the client during the transfer when the fall happened, meaning they had an active duty to ensure the client's safety during that action, and the fall occurred under their direct care.
• Option D: Poor nursing notes from a prior shift do not directly cause the fall.

Answer:

C. The nurse who transferred the client to the chair when the fall occurred.