During a staff shortage, you hire an RN from a temporary agency. The R

QUESTION

During a staff shortage, you hire an RN from a temporary agency. The RN administers a wrong IV medication that results in cardiac arrest and a difficult recovery for the patient. Liability in this situation:

a. Is limited to the temporary agency.
b. Is restricted to the RN.
c. Could include the RN, the agency, and your institution.
d. May depend on the patient’s belief regarding the employment relationship.

ANSWER:

ANS: D
Apparent agency may apply here because your liability and that of your institution could be established if it can be shown that the patient believes that the RN was an employee of yours and of your institution.