Common Mistakes in Legal and Ethical Questions

We’ve identified these critical mistakes that students frequently make when answering legal and ethical questions:

❌ Privacy and Confidentiality Errors:

• Discussing residents in public areas
• Sharing information on social media
• Answering family questions without authorization
• Taking pictures of residents
• Leaving resident information visible
• Gossiping about resident conditions

❌ Resident Rights Violations:

• Forcing care on refusing residents
• Making decisions without resident input
• Rushing through procedures
• Not offering choices
• Ignoring preferences
• Violating dignity during care

❌ Abuse and Neglect Reporting Errors:

• Waiting to report suspected abuse
• Not documenting incidents properly
• Investigating allegations personally
• Discussing suspicions with colleagues
• Confronting suspected abusers
• Failing to recognize signs of abuse

❌ Professional Boundary Issues:

• Accepting gifts from residents
• Sharing personal phone numbers
• Getting emotionally involved
• Lending or borrowing money
• Making promises outside scope
• Taking sides in family disputes

❌ Documentation Mistakes:

• Using subjective language
• Not documenting refusals
• Incomplete incident reports
• Late entries without proper notation
• Failing to document changes
• Not recording resident preferences

❌ Advanced Directive Errors:

• Not checking for existing directives
• Ignoring stated preferences
• Making assumptions about DNR status
• Not reporting changes in wishes
• Failing to communicate with team
• Misunderstanding scope of directives

❌ Scope of Practice Violations:

• Performing unauthorized procedures
• Giving medical advice
• Making promises about outcomes
• Adjusting care without authorization
• Exceeding role limitations
• Taking shortcuts in procedures

❌ Cultural and Religious Rights:

• Ignoring religious dietary restrictions
• Dismissing cultural practices
• Not providing privacy for prayers
• Making cultural assumptions
• Imposing personal beliefs
• Disrespecting customs

❌ Question Analysis Errors:

• Not reading all options carefully
• Missing key legal/ethical implications
• Choosing familiar over correct answers
• Ignoring facility policies
• Making emotional decisions
• Rushing through “obvious” questions

❌ Ethical Decision-Making Errors:

• Putting convenience over rights
• Not considering all perspectives
• Making assumptions about “best interests”
• Ignoring resident autonomy
• Following incorrect peer advice
• Not seeking proper guidance

Key Points to Remember:

• Rights violations have serious consequences
• When in doubt, report it
• Document everything accurately
• Stay within your scope
• Protect privacy always
• Respect comes first

Red Flags in Questions:

• Watch for confidentiality issues
• Notice rights violations
• Look for abuse indicators
• Consider ethical implications
• Check for proper reporting chains
• Identify boundary issues

Common Question Traps:

• Multiple “good” answers (find BEST)
• Emotionally appealing but incorrect choices
• Convenient but unethical options
• Partially correct answers
• Common practice vs. correct practice

Ready to master ethics and legal aspects? Continue to ‘Rights & Ethics Success Strategy’.