Nursing Legal and Ethical Considerations

Flashcards covering negligence, HIPAA, client rights, and ethical considerations in nursing practice.

Negligence

Failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in similar circumstances.

Example of Negligence

Student nurse forgot to lower the client's bed after completing colostomy care, and the client fell when trying to get out of bed.

Reviewing ex-husband's chart without permission

A violation of HIPAA.

Nurse's best action when giving testimony

Respond answering yes or no whenever possible without adding opinions.

Client Rights

The right to revoke a signed informed consent verbally on the way to surgery; The right to designate who will make decisions for them should they become incapable; The right to file a suit for injury that they see as being the result of negligence.

Needed to prove negligence

Duty, Proximate cause, Damages

Nurse's action in the morphine sulfate scenario to protect the client and themself

The nurse should have refused to administer the medication, contacted the nursing supervisor, and documented the situation thoroughly.