CNA - Unit 4 Vocabulary

abuse

improper treatment or misuse

aiding and abetting

not reporting dishonest acts that are observed

assault

attempt or threat to do violence to another

battery

an unlawful attack upon or touching of another person

boundaries

invisible lines that define healthy relationships and limit the sphere of activity

coercion

forcing a patient to do something against his or her wishes

confidential

keeping what is said or written to oneself; private; not shared

defamation

something harmful to the good name or reputation of another person; slander

ethical standards

guides to moral behavior

false imprisonment

unlawfully restraining another person

Heath Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

a law passed in 1996 that protects privacy, confidentiality, and medical records and other individually identifiable patient information

informed consent

permission given after full disclosure of the facts

invasion of privacy

taking liberties with the person or personal rights of another

involuntary seclusion

separation of a patient from other patients and people, against the patient's will

legal standards

guides to lawful behavior

liable

legally responsible

libel

any written defamatory statement

malpractice

improper, negligent, or unethical conduct that results in harm, injury, or loss to a patient

need to know

information is disclosed only if workers need it to carry out their duties

neglect

failing to provide services to patients to prevent physical harm or mental anguish

negligence

failure to exercise the degree of care considered reasonable under the circumstances, resulting in an unintended injury to a patient. _________________ is carelessness that may be caused by hurrying or not focusing on the task at hand

physical abuse

mistreatment by hitting or other physical contact

Platinum Rule

"Treat others the way they want to be treated." Guide to behavior that affects feelings and relationships; shifts the focus from treating everyone alike to providing individualized care and treating patients as they want to be treated, in keeping with their plans of care

professional boundaries

limits on how a health care worker interacts with patients

protected health information (PHI)

any individually identifiable patient information from facility records

psychological abuse

mistreatment by threatening, belittling, or otherwise causing mental or emotional harm or upset

relationship danger zone

an invisible area that threatens a relationship or causes ethical and legal problems

sexual abuse

use of physical means or verbal threats to force a person to perform sexual acts

sexual harassment

unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. The action may be physical, verbal, or nonverbal

slander

false oral statement that injures the reputation of another person

social networking sites

internet-based services that enable users to share information

termination

loss of one's job

theft

taking anything that does not belong to you; stealing

verbal abuse

use of speech to humiliate, threaten, or cause fear or anxiety in another person

zone of helpfulness

healthy relationship area in which most patient contact should occur