Texas Board of Nursing (BON) Practice Exam

What would be a valid reason for the Texas BON to investigate a nursing practice?

1. Increased nursing staff competition

2. Reported incidents of unsafe patient care

3. Introduction of new nursing technologies

4. Request from hospital management

The correct answer is: Reported incidents of unsafe patient care

A valid reason for the Texas Board of Nursing to investigate a nursing practice is reported incidents of unsafe patient care. This is crucial because the primary role of the Board is to protect the public by ensuring that nursing practices meet established standards for safety and quality. When there are reports of unsafe patient care, it raises serious concerns about the competency of the nurse involved and the potential risk to patient safety. Conducting an investigation allows the Board to assess the situation, evaluate the nurse's actions, and determine whether there has been a breach of professional standards or regulations. In contrast, increased competition among nursing staff, the introduction of new technologies, or a request from hospital management do not inherently indicate a problem with nursing practice or unsafe care. These scenarios may be part of the normal evolution of healthcare practices and workforce dynamics, but they do not necessitate an investigation by the Board unless they are directly linked to concerns about patient safety or licensure violations.