NURS 100 Quiz 2 Key Terms

Abstract

a brief overview of a research study

Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)

An advanced practice nurse who provides direct care to clients and participates in health education and research. (Masters degree)

Clincal practice guideline (CPG)

an evidence-based guide to clinical practice devleoped by experts in a particular field for direct application in clinical enviroments

Control group

subjects in an experiment who do not recieve the experimental treatment and whose performance provides a baseline against which the effects of the treatment can be measured. When a true experimental design is not used, this group is called a comparison group.

Data collection

the process of acquiring existing information or devleoping new information

Empirical

having a foundation based on data gathered through the senses (e.g. observation or experience) rather than purely through theorizing or logic.

Ethnography

a qualitative reseach method for the purpose of investigating cultures that involve data collection, description, and analysis of data to develop a theory of cultural behavior.

evidence-based practice

the process of systematically finding, appraising, and using research findings as the basis for clinical practice

experimental design

A design that includes randomization, a control group, and manipulation between or among variables to examine probability and causality among selected variables for the purpose of predicting and controlling phenomena.

generalizability

the inference that findings can be generalized from the sample to the entire population

grant

proposal devleoped to seek research funding from private or public agencies

grounded theory

a qualitatice research design used to collect and analyze data aiming to develop theories grounded in real-world observations.

Integrative Research Review (IRR)

methodology that simultaneously synthesizes several experimental and non-experimental research findings to provide a comprehensive understanding of the phenomena of interest

meta-analysis

statistical method of quantitative synthesis of findings from several studies to determine what is known about a phenomenon

metasynthesis

interpretive translations produced from the integration or comparison of findings from qualitative studies

methodologic

research design used to develop the validity and reliability of instruments that measure research concepts and variables

Naturalistic paradigm

holistic view of nature and the direction of science that guides qualitative research

needs assessment

study in which the researcher estimates the resource needs of a group

peer review

a process by which a scholarly work (such as a paper or a research proposal) is checked by a group of experts in the same field to make sure it meets the necessary standards before it is published or accepted

practice guidelines

research-based recommendations stated as standards of practice, procedures, or decision algorithms

phenomenology

qualitative research design employing inductive descriptive methodology to describe the lived experiences of study participants

pilot study

conduct of a smaller version of a proposed study that develops or refines methodology prior to use in a larger study

qualitative research

systematic, subjective approach used to describe life experiences and give them meaning

quantitative research

formal, objective, systematic process used to describe and test relationships and examine cause-and-effect interactions among variables

quasi-experimental research

a type of quantitative research study design that lacks one of the components of an experimental design (i.e. randomization, control group, manipulation of one or more variables)

randomization

The assignment of subjects to treatment conditions in a random manner (determined by chance alone).

secondary analysis

A research design in which data previously collected in another study are analyzed for different aims than the original study

survey

a nonexperimental research design that focuses on obtaining information regarding the status quo of a situation, often through direct questioning of participants

Triangulation

the use of a variety of methods to collect data on the same concept

constituent

a citizen who has the oppertunity to vote for a candidates in elections for representation at the local, state, and federal levels

Constituent/State Nurses Association (C/SNA)

the professional organizational unit member of the American Nurses Association that represents all professional nurses within a state or territory or other defined organizational entity or boundary-also known as the state nurses association (SNA)

Grassroots lobbying

Personal advocacy by individual constituents- everyday citizens - in support of a problem/position/option related to a policy issue

Health Policy

A set course of actions undertaken by governments or health care organizations to obtain a desired outcome. Private health policy is made by health care organizations, such as hospitals, whereas public health policy refers to local, state, and federal legislation, regulations, and court rulings that govern health care within a certain arena.

Lobbying

Acting to persuade or educate policymakers to respond positively to a particular position or an issue or to follow a particular course of legislative, regulatory, or funding activity.

Platform

The statement of principles and policies of a political party, candidate, ot elected official

Policymaker

a local, state, or federally elected or appointed official who can propose and directly affect legislation, regulations, or programs that can become actualized

Regulations

rules used to implement legislation and translate concepts into actions that can be put into practice

Stakeholders

Individuals, groups, or organizations who have a vested interest in and may be affected by policy decisions and actions being taken, and thus may attempt to influence those decisions and actions.

Accountability

Being responsible for one's own actions; a sense of duty in performing nursing tasks and activities

Advance directives

Written or verbal instructions created by the patient describing specific wishes about medical care in the event he or she becomes incapacitated or incompetent. Examples include living wills and durable powers of attorney.

Breach of duty

occurs when one person or company has a duty of care toward another person or company, but fails to live up to that standard

Case law

body of written opinions created by judges in federal and state appellate cases; also known as judge-made law and common law

Civil Law

A category of law (tort law) that deals with conduct considered unacceptable. It is based on societal expectations regarding interpersonal conduct. Common causes of civil ligation include professional malpractice, negligence, and assualt and battery

Common Law

Law that is created through the decisions of judges as opposed to laws enacted by legislative bodies (e.g. Congress)

Comparative Negligence

A type of liability in which damages may be apportioned among two or more defendants in a malpractice case. The extent of liability depends on the defendant's relative contribution to the patient's injury.

Criminal negligence

Negligence that indicates "reckless and wanton" disregard for the safety, well-being, or life of an individual; behavior that demonstrates a complete disregard for another, such that death is likely.

Damages

Monetary compensation the court orders paid to a person who has sustained a loss or injury to his or her person or property through the misconduct (intentional or unintentional) of another.

Defendant

The individual who is named in a person's (plantiff's) complaint as responsible for an injury; the person who the plantiff claims committed a negligent act or malpractice

Disclosure

A process in which the patient's primary provider (physician or advanced practice nurse) gives the patient, and when applicable, family members, complete information about unanticipated adverse outcomes of treatment and care.

Durable power of attorney for health care

an instrument that authorizes another person to act as one's agent in decisions regarding health care if the person becomes incompetent to make his or her own decisions

Error

A failure of a planned action to be completed as intended or the use of a wrong plan to achieve a specific aim

Ethical issues

a problem that requires a person or organization to choose between alternatives that must be evaluated as right (ethical) or wrong (unethical)

Gross negligence

A legal concept that means extreme carelessness showing willful or reckless disregard for the consequences to a person (patient).

Health care law

federal, state, and local laws and associated rules and regulations applicable to the health care industry and health care workers

Immunity

Legal doctrine by which a person is protected from a lawsuit for negligent acts or an institution is protected from a suit for the negligent acts of its employees

Legal liability

Failure of a person or an entity to meet legally defined responsibilities and allows a lawsuit for resulting damages

Liability

Being legally responsible for harm caused to another person or property as a result of one's actions; compensation for harm is normally monetary

Licensing laws

Laws that establish the qualifications for obtaining and maintaining a license to perform particular services. Persons and institutions may be required to obtain a license to provide particular health care services.

Malpractice

Failure of a professional to meet the standard of conduct that a reasonable and prudent member of his or her profession would exercise in similar circumstances that results in harm. The professional's misconduct is unintentional.

Negligence

Failure to act in a manner that an ordinary, prudent person (either a layperson or professional) would act in similar circumstances that results in harm. The failure to act in a resonable and prudent manner is unintentional

Nursing case law

the body of written legal opinions developed by judges through court decisions that eventually contribute to the expected standard of nursing conduct

Nursing malpractice

an incident in which a nurse fails to competently perform his or her legal duty owed to a patient and that failure harms the patient

Nursing Practice Act

The body of state law that sets out the scope of practice and responsibilities of the registered nurse in orer to protect the health and welfare of individuals or communities under the care of the registered nurse.

Plantiff

the complaining person in a lawsuit; the person who claims he or she was injured by the acts of another

Preventable adverse event

An injury caused by medical management rather than the patient's underlying condition. An adverse event attributable to error is a preventable adverse event.

Punitive damages

Monetary compensation awarded to an injured person (patient) that goes beyond that which is necessary to compensate for losses (e.g., the ability to function, death, income) and is intended to punish the wrongdoer.

Res ipsa loquitur

Legal doctrine applicable to cases in which the provider (i.e., the physician) had exclusive control of events that resulted in the patient's injury; the injury would not have occurred ordinarily without a negligent act; a Latin phrase meaning "the thing speaks for itself".

Respondent superior

Legal doctrine that holds an employer indirectly responsible for the negligent acts of employees carried out within the scope of employment; a Latin phrase meaning "let the master answer."

Risk management

Process of identifying, analyzing, and controlling risks posed to patients; involves human factor and incident analysis, changes in systems operations, and loss control and prevention.

Sentinel event

As defined by The Joint Commission, an unintended adverse outcome that results in death, paralysis, coma, or other major permanent loss of function. Examples of sentinel events include patient suicide while in a licensed health care facility, surgical procedure on the wrong organ or body side, or a patient fall.

Standard of care

In civil cases, the legal criteria against which the nurse's (and physician's) conduct is compared to determine whether a negligent act or malpractice occurred; commonly defined as the knowledge and skill that an ordinary, reasonably prudent person would possess and exercise in the same or similar circumstances.

Statute or statutory law

law enacted by a legislative body; separate from judge-made or common law

Strict liability

a legal doctrine, sometimes referred to as absolute liability, that can be imposed on a person or entity (e.g. hospital) without proof of carelessness or negligence.

Vicarious liability

legal doctrine in which a person or institution is liable for the negligent acts of another because of a special relationship between the two parties; a substituted liability.

Accountability

an ethical duty stating that one should be answerable legally, morally, ethically, or socially for one's activities

autonomy

personal freedom and the right of competent people to make choices

Beneficence

an ethical principle of compassion and patient advocacy, stating that one should do good and prevent or avoid doing harm

Bioethics

the study of ethical problems resulting from scientific advances

Code of ethics

a set of statements encompassing rules that apply to people in professional roles

Deontology

an ethical theory stating that moral rule is binding

Ethics

Science or study of moral values

Ethics acculturation

the didactic and experiential process of developing ethical reasoning abilities as a part of ongoing professional preparation

Fidelity

the agreement to keep promises and commitments, based on the virtue of caring

Justice

the equal and fair distribution of resources, regardless of other factors

Nonmaleficence

an ethical principle stating the duty to not inflict harm

Paternalism

on the basis of the health care provider's belief about what is in the best interest of the patient, he/she chooses to reveal or withhold patient information such as diagnosis, treatment, or prognosis

Rights of conscience

The civil right that protects conscientious health care providers against discrimination, allowing them the right to act according to the dictates of their consciences

Utilitarianism

an ethical theory stating that the best decision is one that brings about the greatest good for the most people

Values

Customs, ideas of life, and ways of behaving that society regards as desirable

Veracity

an ethical duty to tell the truth

Decision support tools

software programs that process data to produce or recommend decisions by linking with an electronic knowledge base controlled by established rules for combining data elements; the knowledge base and rules mimic the knowledge and reasoning an expert health professional would apply to data and information to solve a problem

Electronic Health Record (EHR)

The longitudinal electronic record of patient health information generates by one or more encounters in any care delivery setting; has the ability to support other care-related activity such as evidence-based decision support, quality management, and outcomes reporting.

EHR (electronic health record) interoperability

EHR systems that have ability to share and transfer patient data seamlessly across health care systems and settings in a standardized manner that protects the reliability, confidentiality, privacy, and security of the information

EHR "meaningful use"

a defined set of EHR capabilities and standards that EHR systems must meet to ensure that their full capacity is realized and for the users to qualify for financial incentives from Medicare

Health Information Technology

the use of various forms of technology to improve the quality of health services to individuals and communities

information technology

the hardware and software that enable information to be stored, retrieved, communicated, and managed

point of care technology

technologies that allow real-time data retrieval, documentation, and decision support at the bedside or wherever direct care is provided

Active listening

the process of hearing what others are saying with a sense of seriousness and discrimmination

conflict

an experience in which there is stimultaneous arosal of two or more incompatible motives

filtration

unconscious exclusion of extraneous stimuli