Disciplinary actions by the nursing board can arise from violations of patient safety and professional standards.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. It depends on the case
• D. Only criminal violations

Answer: (A)

Disciplinary actions by the board can arise from violations of patient safety and professional standards because protecting the public is the board’s primary role. The nurse practice act gives the board authority to sanction nurses whose conduct jeopardizes patient safety or falls below accepted professional standards, even if no criminal charges are filed. This covers issues like unsafe medication administration, inadequate patient monitoring, incompetence, falsified records, practicing without a license, or other unprofessional behaviors. Penalties can include probation, licenses restrictions, suspension, or revocation, and fines. Criminal violations may also lead to board action, but the board’s authority is not limited to criminal cases.