VN 161 Unit 1: Introduction to Nursing

Vocabulary flashcards covering key nursing concepts, healthcare levels, legal responsibilities, torts, informed consent, advance directives, and ethical principles from VN 161 Unit 1.

Art of Nursing

The caring, creativity, communication, and compassion necessary to connect with patients in a meaningful way.

Science of Nursing

The analysis and integration of data, the decision-making process, and the technical monitoring of patients.

Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)

An entry-level health care provider who is responsible for rendering basic nursing care under the direction of a physician or registered nurse.

Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT)

The California regulatory board governing the laws, regulations, and licensing standards for vocational nurses and psychiatric technicians.

Preventative Care

A level of health care that focuses on educating and equipping clients/patients to reduce and control risk factors for disease.

EX., immunizations, stress management, seat belt use

Primary Health Care

A level of health care that emphasizes health promotion, disease control, and preventive care to support overall community well-being

EX., clinic visits, work screenings, baby and nutrition care

Secondary Health Care

A level of health care that includes the diagnosis and treatment of acute illness and injury, offering direct intervention for urgent medical needs.

EX. Inpatient, emergency, dianostic centers

Tertiary Health Care

A level of health care involving the provision of specialized and highly technical care, such as intensive care, oncology centers, and burns units.

Restorative Health Care

A level of health care involving intermediate follow-up care for restoring health, including home health care, rehabilitation centers, and skilled nursing facilities.

Continuing Health Care

A level of health care that addresses long-term or chronic health care needs, including end-of-life care, palliative care, hospice, adult day care, and in-home respite care.

Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN)

A core project focused on preparing future nurses with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) necessary to continuously improve healthcare system quality and safety.

Six QSEN Pre-Licensure Focus Areas

The core competency areas comprising

1. Patient-centered care

2. Teamwork and collaboration

3. Evidence-based practice

4. Quality improvement

5. Safety, and Informatics.

Criminal Law

A subsection of public law relating to the relationship of an individual with the government, categorized into felonies or misdemeanors.

Civil Law

A body of law that protects the individual rights of people, which includes tort law in relationship to nursing care.

Assault

An intentional tort involving any action that causes physical or psychological harm leading the patient to feel apprehensive or fearful, where actual physical contact is not required.

Ex. Threats, intimidation, deprivation of needs, hostile environment

Battery

An intentional tort defined as the intentional act of causing physical harm to someone

EX. slapping, pinching, kicking, or striking a patient without consent.

False Imprisonment

An intentional tort involving intentionally preventing a patient from leaving a facility or restricting their movements within it without medical justification or proper authorization.

Breach of Confidentiality

A quasi-intentional tort defined as the unauthorized release of private client information or clinical data without proper consent. Breaking HIPPA

Defamation of Character

A quasi-intentional tort involving false communication with careless disregard for the truth with the intent to injure an individual's reputation.

Libel

Defamation of character expressed through written words or photos.

Slander

Defamation of character communicated via the spoken word.

Professional Negligence (Malpractice)

An unintentional tort defined as the failure of a person who has professional training to act in a reasonable and prudent manner.

Reasonable and Prudent Standard

The standard describing a person who possesses average judgment, intelligence, professional foresight, and skill expected of an individual with similar training and experience.

Student Liability (unintentional Tort)

Direct personal accountability faced by nursing students for client harm resulting from actions or inaction, shared jointly with the instructor and clinical facility.

Scope and Support (unintentional TORT)

Students must not perform tasks which they are not prepared for, and require supervision when learning new procedures.

Shared Liability (unintentional TORT)

A legal concept where both the student and instructor are responsible for any negligence or harm that occurs during clinical practice, sharing the repercussions of actions taken.

Informed Consent

Written permission to allow medical treatment or surgical procedures after the provider explains the reason for treatment, expected benefits, associated risks, alternatives, consequences of refusal, and practitioner credentials.

Emancipated Minor

A minor who has legally established independence from parental control through a court order, marriage, documented self-support/independent living, or active military service.

Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA)

A federal law requiring healthcare facilities to inform patients of their right to accept or refuse care upon admission and inquire about advance directives.

Against Medical Advice (AMA)

A formal legal document signed by a patient who refuses treatment or chooses to leave a facility after being informed of the severe clinical risks by healthcare staff.

Living Will

A legal advance directive document expressing a patient's wishes regarding medical treatment in the event they become incapacitated and face end-of-life issues.

Durable Power of Attorney for Health (POA)

A legal document in which a patient designates a healthcare proxy to make medical decisions on their behalf if they become unable to do so.

Providers Orders

Clinical directives written by a healthcare provider:

• Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)

• Allow Natural Death (AND)

Ethics

The study of conduct and character.

Morals

Values and beliefs that guide behavior and decision-making.

Accountability

The ability to answer for your actions in professional nursing practice.

Veracity

An ethical principle defined as truthfulness and honesty.

Autonomy

An ethical principle respecting the rights of individuals to make decisions about their own health and health care.

Beneficence

An ethical principle meaning 'doing good' through actions that promote good for others without any self-interest.

EX. Providing pain medicice, assiting pateints w tasks, emotional support.

Justice

An ethical principle in nursing defined as treating all patients equally and fairly, including fairness in the use of resources.

Nonmaleficence

An ethical commitment to do no harm.

EX. Preforming checks before administering medication, taking steps to ensure saftey.

Fidelity

An ethical commitment to carry through on promises through a combination of honesty, integrity, and loyalty.