Which statement about nurse practice acts is true?

• A. They provide for unlimited scope of nursing practice.
• B. They informally define the scope of nursing practice.
• C. Only some states have adopted a nurse practice act.
• D. The nurse must know the nurse practice act within his or her state.

Answer: (D)

Nurse practice acts are state laws that govern nursing, defining the legal scope of practice, licensure requirements, and disciplinary processes to protect the public. They are formal statutes, not informal guidelines, and their scope is clearly bounded rather than unlimited. Since each state enacts its own act, every nurse must know the act in the state where they practice to ensure compliance with the law and to understand permissible activities and consequences for violations. All states have a nurse practice act, so a nurse’s obligation to know it isn’t optional.