Module E - Laws and Ethics (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Module E - Laws and Ethics. Each card defines a term relevant to abuse, rights, privacy, and legal concepts in long-term care.

Abuse

Willful infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation or punishment with resulting physical harm, pain, or mental anguish.

Assault

Act of threatening to touch, or attempting to touch a person, without proper consent.

Basic Human Rights

Rights protected by the Constitution that allow a person to be treated with respect, live in dignity, pursue a meaningful life, and be free of fear.

Battery

Touching a person without consent.

Civil Law

Laws that deal with relationships between people.

Code of Ethics

Rules of conduct for a group; emphasizes that residents deserve ethical care, though specifics may vary by facility.

Confidentiality

Not disclosing or sharing information that is personal or private about a resident, except to authorized people.

Consent

The right to decide what will be done to the body and who can touch it; can be written, verbal, or implied.

Criminal Law

Offenses against the public and society.

Defamation

False statements that harm a person’s reputation; written is libel and verbal is slander.

Disclosure

Making known information to the public.

Diversion of Drugs

Unauthorized taking or use of any drug.

Exploitation

Taking advantage of a resident for personal gain using manipulation, intimidation, threats, or coercion.

False Imprisonment

Unlawful restraining or restricting a person’s movement.

Fraud

Intentional deception or misrepresentation that could benefit the deceiver.

Invasion of Privacy

Violation of the right to control personal information or to be left alone.

Malpractice

Giving care that is not legally allowed to be performed; e.g., a nurse aide performing tasks only nurses may perform.

Misappropriation of Property

Deliberate use of a resident’s belongings or money without consent for personal gain.

Neglect

Failure to provide goods and services necessary to avoid physical harm, pain, or emotional distress.

Negligence

Actions or inaction that result in injury due to failure to provide proper care.

Nondisclosure

Not making information known to the public.

Privacy

Protecting personal information and preventing intrusion into a person’s life.

Resident’s Rights

Rights written into federal law (OBRA) outlining how residents must be treated in long-term care facilities.

Sexual Abuse

Non-consensual sexual contact of any type with a resident.

Vulnerable Adults

Adults at risk for abuse due to limitations in protection from harm from mental, emotional, developmental disability, brain damage, or aging.

Tort

A wrong committed against a person or property.

Unintentional

Did not mean to cause harm.

Intentional

Did mean to cause harm.

Written Consent

Consent demonstrated by signing a form.

Verbal Consent

Consent given through spoken words (e.g., a verbal 'yes' or 'ok').

Implied Consent

Consent inferred from a person’s actions (e.g., extending an arm for a check)