During a clinical placement on a subacute, geriatric medicine unit, a student nurse fed a stroke client some beef broth, despite the fact that the client's diet was restricted to thickened fluids. As a result, the client aspirated and developed pneumonia. Which statement underlies the student's potential liability in this situation?

Answer: The same standards of care that apply to a registered nurse apply to the student.

Explanation:

Although the knowledge and skills of a student are still under development, nursing students are held to the same standards of care as registered nurses. Consequently, primary liability does not lie with the student's instructor or the patient's primary nurse. Primary liability refers to an obligation for which a party is directly responsible. Insurance may be carried by the school of nursing fro which the student is enrolled at, but this does not negate the student's legal responsibility to provide care at a high standard.