Scope Of Practice Quiz: Is It In Your Lane?

1. True or False: A registered nurse can independently diagnose and treat medical conditions.

True

False

2. A nurse recognizes that working outside their scope of practice can result in which consequence?

Positive performance reviews

License revocation, patient harm, and legal liability

Faster patient discharge

Improved team morale

3. When a nurse is uncertain about delegating a task, the safest action is to ____.

Delegate it anyway

Check facility policy and professional guidelines

Ask the patient

Perform the task themselves without question

4. True or False: A nurse can delegate assessment of a patient's condition to a nursing assistant.

True

False

5. A nurse's scope of practice is determined by which factors?

Personal preference and experience only

State licensure laws, employer policies, and education level

The physician's orders exclusively

Facility budget and staffing levels

6. Which professional can independently prescribe medications?

Registered Nurse

Licensed Practical Nurse

Physician or Advanced Practice Provider

Nursing Assistant

7. A nurse must understand scope of practice to ensure ____.

Patient safety and legal compliance

Faster task completion

Higher patient satisfaction

Reduced paperwork

8. Which situation requires immediate notification to the charge nurse or supervisor?

A patient requests additional pain medication

A staff member performs a task outside their scope of practice

A patient misses breakfast

A visitor arrives during visiting hours

9. A nurse is asked to perform a procedure for which they have not received training. What is appropriate?

Attempt the procedure with caution

Refuse and request training before performing

Watch another nurse and then perform it

Perform it under another nurse's general supervision

10. True or False: Scope of practice is the same for all nurses regardless of education and licensure.

True

False

11. A nurse is assisting a patient with activities of daily living. Which task is within the nurse's scope of practice?

Prescribing antihypertensive medications

Bathing and grooming the patient

Performing surgical wound closure

Diagnosing a urinary tract infection

12. A nurse may delegate patient care tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel under which condition?

The task is routine and the patient is stable

The task does not require nursing judgment or assessment

The task is supervised and within the assistant's training

The patient requests the assistant perform the task

13. Which scenario represents a violation of scope of practice?

An RN performing a patient assessment

A nursing assistant performing hygiene care

An LPN prescribing antibiotics

A nurse documenting vital signs

14. A physician orders a nurse to perform a task that the nurse believes is outside their scope. What should the nurse do?

Perform the task to maintain the physician relationship

Refuse and document the refusal

Politely question the order and discuss concerns with the physician

Ask another nurse to perform it instead

15. A nurse is unsure whether a task is within their scope. What is the best action?

Proceed cautiously and document carefully

Ask a colleague if it is acceptable

Consult the job description, facility policy, and state nursing board regulations

Assume it is acceptable if no one objects

16. Which of the following is within the scope of practice for a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)?

Assessing patient needs and developing care plans

Administering medications under RN supervision

Performing independent surgical procedures

Prescribing diagnostic tests

17. A patient asks the nurse for advice on a legal matter. How should the nurse respond?

Provide general legal advice based on experience

Recommend the patient consult an attorney

Tell the patient to ask the physician

Explain that nurses cannot give legal advice

18. A nurse observes another nurse administering a medication outside the standard protocol. What should the nurse do?

Say nothing to avoid conflict

Report the concern to the charge nurse or supervisor

Ask the nurse privately but take no further action

Document it only in their own notes

19. Which action represents appropriate delegation by a registered nurse?

Asking a nursing assistant to administer IV medications

Asking a nursing assistant to feed a post-stroke patient

Asking a nursing assistant to assess wound drainage

Asking a nursing assistant to adjust ventilator settings

20. A nursing assistant asks the nurse if they can perform a straight catheterization. What is the appropriate response?

Yes, if the patient consents

Yes, it is within their scope of practice

No, catheterization is outside their scope; the nurse must do it

Yes, if a licensed nurse supervises in the room

Scope of Practice Quiz: Is It in Your Lane?

1. True or False: A registered nurse can independently diagnose and treat medical conditions.

2.

What first name or nickname would you like us to use?

2. A nurse recognizes that working outside their scope of practice can result in which consequence?

3. When a nurse is uncertain about delegating a task, the safest action is to ____.

4. True or False: A nurse can delegate assessment of a patient's condition to a nursing assistant.

5. A nurse's scope of practice is determined by which factors?

6. Which professional can independently prescribe medications?

7. A nurse must understand scope of practice to ensure ____.

8. Which situation requires immediate notification to the charge nurse or supervisor?

9. A nurse is asked to perform a procedure for which they have not received training. What is appropriate?

10. True or False: Scope of practice is the same for all nurses regardless of education and licensure.

11. A nurse is assisting a patient with activities of daily living. Which task is within the nurse's scope of practice?

12. A nurse may delegate patient care tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel under which condition?

13. Which scenario represents a violation of scope of practice?

14. A physician orders a nurse to perform a task that the nurse believes is outside their scope. What should the nurse do?

15. A nurse is unsure whether a task is within their scope. What is the best action?

16. Which of the following is within the scope of practice for a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)?

17. A patient asks the nurse for advice on a legal matter. How should the nurse respond?

18. A nurse observes another nurse administering a medication outside the standard protocol. What should the nurse do?

19. Which action represents appropriate delegation by a registered nurse?

20. A nursing assistant asks the nurse if they can perform a straight catheterization. What is the appropriate response?