Common Legal Issues in Nursing Practice

These flashcards cover key legal concepts, ethical principles, and the nursing process based on the lecture notes.

Negligence

Failure to act in a reasonable manner, leading to a breach in care.

Gross Negligence

Recklessness, acting with conscious disregard for patient welfare.

Malpractice

Failure of a nurse to provide care that meets standards of practice, causing harm to a patient.

Intentional Tort

Actions that infringe on a person's rights, such as assault, battery, or false imprisonment.

Informed Consent

Agreement to accept treatment after being informed of risks and benefits.

Expressed Consent

Verbal or written consent given by a patient.

Implied Consent

Assumed consent based on a patient's behavior, such as rolling up sleeves for a shot.

CANA Code of Ethics

Principles that guide nurse-patient relationships and professional conduct.

Autonomy

The right of patients to make their own decisions.

Beneficence

The practice of promoting good and preventing harm.

Nonmaleficence

The ethical obligation to not inflict harm.

Justice

The principle of fairness and equal treatment.

Fidelity

The duty to be faithful and keep commitments.

Veracity

The responsibility to tell the truth.

Therapeutic Communication

Interpersonal communication techniques that promote healing and understanding.

Non-Therapeutic Communication

Communication techniques that inhibit communication and understanding.

Medicare

A federal insurance program primarily for individuals 65 and older.

Medicaid

A joint federal and state program providing healthcare for low-income families and individuals.

Patient Self-Management

Active participation by patients in managing their own health conditions.

Nursing Process

A systematic approach to patient care including assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Assessment

The process of gathering information to determine health status and needs.

Nursing Diagnosis

A clinical judgement about an actual or potential health problem.

Independent Nursing Interventions

Actions that a nurse can take without a doctor's orders.

Dependent Nursing Interventions

Actions that require a doctor's orders before they can be performed.

Collaborative Interventions

Actions taken in partnership with other health professionals.

Evaluation

The assessment of patient progress towards achieving treatment goals.

Role of the LPN vs. RN

The RN delegates tasks while the LPN supports and carries out the interventions.