Nursing Law and Jurisprudence Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, legal concepts, doctrines, criminal liabilities, and Philippine legal acts from the nursing jurisprudence lecture notes.

Divine Law

Law given by God.

Human Law

Law created by people or government.

PD 223 / RA 8981

Professional Regulation Commission Law.

Code of Ethics for Nurses

Promulgated by the Board of Nursing in 2004 and revised in 2014.

Code of Good Governance

Promulgated by the PRC in 2003.

Constitution

Highest law of the land.

Statutory Law

Written laws created by the legislative branch.

Common Law / Case Law

Law developed through court decisions and legal precedents.

Civil Law

Deals with disputes between individuals; involves private rights and compensation.

Criminal Law

Deals with offenses against the public and government.

Administrative Law

Regulations created by nursing boards and government agencies; controls how government agencies operate and make decisions.

Preponderance of Evidence

Standard of proof for civil cases.

Guilt Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Standard of proof for criminal cases.

Tort

Wrongful act that causes harm to another person.

Battery

Actual harmful or offensive touching without consent.

Breach of Confidentiality

Sharing patient information with unauthorized people.

Slander

Spoken defamation.

Libel

Written defamation.

Proximate Cause

The foreseeable cause connecting the negligent act to the injury.

Professional Negligence

Negligence committed by professional personnel in the course of professional practice.

Actus Reus

Wrongful act or doing.

Mens Rea

Deliberate or reckless state of mind.

Principal

Main person who commits or orders the crime.

Accomplice

Person who helps or supports the commission of the crime.

Felony

Major public offense.

Misdemeanor

Less serious crime, minor violation, or low-level bad behavior.

Justifying Circumstance

Circumstance under which an act is justified and lawful.

Exempting Circumstance

Circumstance where a person cannot be held liable due to incapacity.

Aggravating Circumstance

Factor that increases criminal liability.

Alternative Circumstance

Circumstance that may increase or decrease liability depending on the situation (e.g., if habitual, liability increases; if not, it may reduce liability).

Res Ipsa Loquitur

"The thing speaks for itself"; situation where an accident is so obvious that carelessness is automatically assumed without needing extra proof.

Force Majeure

An event beyond human control that prevents fulfillment of a duty or responsibility.

Respondeat Superior

"Let the master answer"; doctrine where an employer may be liable for an employee's negligent acts within the scope of employment.

Subpoena Duces Tecum

Legal order requiring a person to bring documents, records, or evidence.

Subpoena Ad Testificandum

Legal order requiring a person to appear and testify.

Summon

Legal notice directing a person to appear in court to answer charges or a complaint.

Informed Consent

Legal permission for surgery, treatment, procedure, or release of information that ensures client participation in healthcare decisions.

Voluntary Consent

Consent given without pressure or threat.

Medical Records

Official, permanent documents containing information about a patient's condition, treatment, and care.

Continuity of Care

Purpose of medical records that helps avoid duplication of tests/treatments.

Living Will

Written document stating the medical treatments a patient wants or does not want.

Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care / Health Care Proxy

Designates another person to make healthcare decisions if the patient becomes incapacitated.

RA 2382

Philippine Medical Act.

RA 7305

Magna Carta for Public Health Workers.

RA 7600

Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act.

RA 9288

Newborn Screening Act of 2004.

RA 7719

National Blood Service Act.

RA 7875

National Health Insurance Act.

RA 6675

Generics Act of 1988.

RA 6425

Dangerous Drugs Act.

RA 8504

Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act.

RA 3573

Law on Reporting Communicable Diseases.

PD 996

Compulsory Immunization Law.

RA 8749

Clean Air Act of 1999.

PD 856

Code of Sanitation.

RA 9211

Tobacco Regulation Act.

RA 9262

Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act.

RA 7432

Senior Citizens Act.

RA 6365

Population Act.

EO 209

Family Code of the Philippines.

RA 4226

Hospital Licensure Act.

RA 6173

Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

LOI 949

Primary Health Care.

Judicial Branch

Interprets and applies the law and regulates if the government is following the constitution.

Nursing Jurisprudence

Ensures that nurses practice safely, ethically, and in line with the law.

Service Beyond Self-Interest

Principle that professionals must consider the broader impact of their work on society and the public interest.

Public Law

Rules that affect society as a whole and involve the state or government.

Private Law

Governs relationships between private entities and individuals such as contracts, property, and torts.

RA 9173 – Philippine Nursing Act of 2002

Main law regulating nursing education, practice, and licensure.

Assault

Threat of physical touch without actual physical touch yet; the threat itself is illegal.

False Imprisonment

Restricting a patient's freedom against their will.

Invasion of Privacy

Example includes not closing curtains during an examination.

Negligence

Failure to use the level of care that a normal, reasonable person would use in the same situation.

Malpractice

Failure by a professional to follow accepted standards of work which leads to harm or loss.

Accessory

A person who helps after the crime has been done.

Manslaughter

Unlawful killing of a human being without malice or the specific intent to kill.

Mitigating Circumstance

Circumstance such as voluntary surrender after committing negligence that lessens or affects liability.

Professional Integrity and Accountability

Practitioners must perform duties honestly, remain free of conflicts of interest, and avoid actions that compromise ethical judgment.

Standard

Desired and achievable level of performance against which actual practice is compared.

Defamation

Damaging another person's reputation through false statements.

Advance Directives

Legal documents that allow a patient to state their preferences for medical care if they become unable to communicate.

Implied Consent

Assumption of consent when no consent is needed if delay will cause harm or death; the law assumes the patient would consent to life-saving care.