The nurse and the hospital share responsibility for safe, functioning equipment.

• A. The nurse and the hospital
• B. The nurse only
• C. The hospital only
• D. The patient only

Answer: (A)

Maintaining safe, functioning equipment is a joint responsibility of both the nurse and the hospital. The nurse is responsible for using equipment correctly, performing pre-use checks, ensuring alarms and safety features are working, monitoring device performance during care, and promptly reporting any malfunctions so repairs can be made. The hospital is responsible for selecting appropriate devices, providing regular preventive maintenance and calibration, ensuring staff competency through training, establishing clear safety policies for device use and documentation, and taking faulty equipment out of service until it is repaired or replaced. When both sides fulfill their roles, equipment works as intended and patient safety is protected; neglect by either the individual clinician or the organization can put patients at risk. For example, if a device shows a fault or alarms fail to sound, the nurse should pause and use a safe alternative if needed while reporting the issue, and the hospital should arrange timely maintenance or replacement and review safety practices.