Nursing Legal and Ethical Concepts

A collection of flashcards focusing on legal and ethical concepts relevant to nursing care, aimed to assist in studying and understanding important principles in the nursing profession.

Legal Nursing Care

A framework that governs nursing practice by setting standards for professional conduct and responsibility.

Ethics

Internal values that guide individuals in determining what is right and wrong.

Informed Consent

A written agreement where patients are informed of risks, benefits, and alternatives before a procedure.

Malpractice

Professional negligence by a nurse resulting in harm to a patient.

Tort Law

Legal framework for addressing injury or harm caused by actions or failure to act.

Intentional Tort

A wrongful act done on purpose, such as assault or battery.

Negligent Tort

An unintentional act leading to harm, such as failing to ensure patient safety.

Advance Directive

Legal documents stating a person's wishes regarding medical treatment if they are unable to communicate.

Good Samaritan Law

Provides legal protection to individuals who provide care in emergency situations.

HIPAA

Federal law ensuring privacy and confidentiality of patient health information.

EMTALA

Law requiring hospitals to provide medical screening and stabilize patients before transferring them.

Mandatory Reporting

Legal obligation to report suspected cases of abuse or neglect.

Living Will

A document in which a patient outlines their wishes regarding medical treatment.

Power of Attorney

A legal document designating someone to make health care decisions on behalf of a patient.

Criminal Law

Laws pertaining to acts harmful to society; prosecuted by the state.

Civil Law

Laws dealing with disputes between individuals; typically resolved through compensation.

Consent Capacity

The requirement that a patient has the ability to understand and process information to consent.

Negligence

Failure to take proper care in doing something, leading to damage or injury.

Privacy

The right of individuals to keep their personal health information confidential.

Accountability

The obligation of nurses to take responsibility for their actions and decisions.

Documentation

The act of accurately recording patient information and care provided.

Sentinel Event

An unforeseen occurrence that results in death or serious injury to a patient.

Near Miss

An incident that could have led to an error but was caught before impact.

Patient Rights

Legal entitlements that patients have regarding their care and treatment.

Ethical Dilemma

A situation where a choice must be made between conflicting ethical principles.

Scope of Practice

The range of responsibilities and duties that a nurse is qualified to perform.

Organizational Policies

Guidelines established by healthcare organizations to govern conduct and procedures.

Personal Ethics

An individual's own set of moral principles influencing their behavior and decisions.

Reporting Requirements

Laws mandating healthcare professionals to report specific types of information.

Lifelong Learning

The ongoing, voluntary pursuit of knowledge for personal or professional development.

Professional Conduct

Behaviors and actions expected from nurses to maintain professionalism in practice.

Rights and Responsibilities

The legal and moral obligations that govern the interactions between patients and healthcare providers.