Law and Regulatory Environments in Nursing Practice

A set of 100 vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in the Law and Regulatory Environments affecting nursing practice.

Statutory Law

Laws passed by legislatures.

Nurse Practice Acts (NPAs)

Regulatory statutes that define the scope of nursing practice.

Constitutional Law

Rights under the U.S. Constitution, such as due process and privacy.

Regulatory Law

Rules created by administrative agencies, such as Boards of Nursing.

Common Law

Laws developed by court decisions, including negligence and malpractice.

Criminal Law

Law dealing with acts harmful to society.

Civil Law

Law governing private disputes between individuals, focusing on compensation.

Tort

A civil wrong that causes harm or injury.

Intentional Tort

Deliberate actions that cause harm.

Unintentional Tort

Actions that lead to harm without intent.

Assault

The threat or attempt to make physical contact.

Battery

Actual intentional touching of another person.

False Imprisonment

Unlawful restraint or restriction of personal freedom.

Invasion of Privacy

Interference with a person's right to keep personal matters private.

Breach of Confidentiality

Unauthorized sharing of private information.

Defamation

Damage to a person's reputation, through libel or slander.

Negligence

Failure to act as a reasonably prudent person would.

Malpractice

Professional negligence, leading to harm.

Common Causes of Malpractice

Failure to follow standards of care, communicate, assess, or document.

Elements of Malpractice

Duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages must be proven.

Standard of Care

Legal guideline defining appropriate nursing actions.

Good Samaritan Laws

Provide legal immunity to individuals providing emergency care.

Personal Liability

Nurses are accountable for their own actions.

Physician Liability

Nurses are not responsible for unsafe physician orders.

Student Liability

Nursing students are held to RN standards for tasks performed.

Importance of Documentation

Accurate, complete, objective records serve as legal evidence.

Nurse's Role in a Deposition

Remain professional, accurate, and do not volunteer information.

Nursing Practice Act (NPA)

State law regulating nursing practice and licensure.

Texas Nursing Practice Act

State-specific regulations for nursing in Texas.

Texas Board of Nursing

Regulatory body that oversees nursing practice in Texas.

Functions of the Board of Nursing (BON)

Interpret, enforce NPA, investigate complaints, and discipline violators.

Licensure Requirements

Legal credentials required to practice nursing.

Mandatory Reporting by Nurses

Obligation to report coworkers who violate professional standards.

Nurse Licensure Compact

Agreement allowing multistate practice for nurses.

Continuing Education

Requirements for ongoing learning to maintain nursing licensure.

BON Disciplinary Actions

Consequences for violations can include warnings, suspension, or revocation.

Standards of Practice

Guidelines that govern professional nursing behavior.

Unprofessional Behavior in Nursing

Include breaches of confidentiality or poor communication.

Peer Review

Evaluation of nursing care quality within organizations.

Safe Harbor Peer Review

Protects nurses during potentially unsafe assignments.

Incident-Based Peer Review

Evaluation of specific complaints or care incidents involving nurses.

Whistleblower Protections

Legal safeguards for nurses reporting unsafe practices.

Informed Consent

A patient's voluntary agreement after understanding the risks and benefits.

Nurse’s Role in Informed Consent

Witnessing authenticity and voluntariness, not providing medical explanations.

Advance Directives

Documents specifying a patient's preferences for end-of-life care.

Discontinuing Life-Sustaining Treatment

Legal process to withdrawal treatment under Texas law.

HIPAA Overview

Federal law protecting the privacy and security of health information.

HIPAA in Nursing Practice

Regulations relating to safeguarding patient information.

OSHA Overview

Ensures workplace safety standards in healthcare.

Workplace Hazards in Healthcare

Potential risks including biological, chemical, and psychological hazards.

OSHA Safety Measures

Guidelines for safe practices to protect healthcare workers.

The Joint Commission (TJC)

Accredits healthcare organizations focusing on quality and safety.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Federal agency managing Medicare and Medicaid programs.

CMS 'Never Events'

Conditions for which hospitals receive no payment if preventable.

Patient Rights

Legal entitlements that patients have regarding their care.

Nurse-Patient Relationship

The basis for ethical and legal obligations in nursing.

Professional Accountability

Nurses' obligation to answer for their actions and decisions.

Scope of Practice

Definable boundaries of responsibilities for nursing professionals.

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Advanced practice registered nurse with a specific area of expertise.

Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)

Nurse with a limited scope of practice, typically providing basic care.

Registered Nurse (RN)

Nurse who has completed an accredited nursing program and passed the NCLEX.

Patient Advocacy

Acting in the best interests of patients in healthcare settings.

Continuing Competence

Ongoing ability to perform nursing tasks with skill.

Legal Liability

Responsibility under the law for actions or omissions.

Ethical Obligations in Nursing

Moral duties nurses have towards patients and society.

Crisis Intervention

Strategies to address immediate psychological distress in patients.

Mistreatment Reporting

Laws requiring reporting of abuse or harm to patients.

Cultural Competence

Ability to understand and respect diverse cultural backgrounds in care.

Patient Confidentiality

Legal duty to protect personal health information.

End-of-Life Care

Support provided during a patient’s last days or hours.

Informed Decision-Making

Process where patients provide consent based on understood information.

Professional Development

Ongoing learning and growth in nursing skills and knowledge.

Team Collaboration

Working effectively with others to provide optimal patient care.

Risk Management

Strategies to minimize potential legal issues and improve safety.

Patient Safety

Practices to prevent harm to patients during healthcare delivery.

Clinical Competence

The ability to perform nursing duties effectively and safely.

Emergency Care Guidelines

Protocols for providing immediate medical assistance.

Documentation Standards

Requirements for maintaining accurate and legal records.

Nursing Ethics

Principles guiding the conduct of nursing practice.

Holistic Patient Care

Approach addressing all aspects of a patient's well-being.

Competency Evaluations

Assessments of a nurse’s ability to meet professional standards.