| Question | Answer |
| Nurse Practice Act | State Law that governs the practice of nursing. It defines nursing practice and establishes standards for nurses in each state. |
| Board of nursing | entity that is involved in legislation governing nursing law. Legal authority to interpret, implement and enforce the laws that govern nursing practice, education and licensure. |
| libel | written defamation of character |
| slander | spoken defamation of character |
| negligence | conduct that falls below the standard of care or performing duties carelessly that puts a person at harm. |
| malpractice | negligence by a professional |
| Four elements of negligence | 1)Duty-nurse had responsibility, 2)Breach of Duty, 3)Causation- injury must have been caused by breach, 4)Damages/harm- actual injury had to occur |
| ways to decrease legal risk | maintain competence, document, establish rapport (pt. and co-workers), communicate effectively |
| three exceptions to informed consent | under 18 (parent signs unless emancipated), unconscious patient (consent implied in an emergency), mentally ill(power of attorney resp.) |
| T or F patient can withdraw informed consent at anytime up to sedation | true |
| Medical Record/Chart | a legal document and property of the facility. patient has right to copy |
| Advance directives | signed and witnessed documents providing specific instructions for health care treatment, in the event that a person is unable to make these decisions at the time needed. |
| durable medical power of attorney | legal document naming an individual to be responsible for medical decisions on pt. behalf |
| incident report | an in-house doc. not filed with the medical that facilities use to make improvements. |
| T or F. A questionable physician order must be clarified. | True |
| Clarifying questionable orders | clarify anything a pt. questions, question anything illegible, unclear or inappropriate, verbal orders need to be repeated, question if pt. condition changes |
| AMA form | Against Medical Advice- protects hospital if patient refuses treatment. document in notes if they will not sign and notify supervisor. |
| abandonment | leaving work or floor without filling your spot to cover your patients. |
| nonmalficence | to do no harm |
| beneficence | to do good |
| autonomy | right to make own decisions |
| fidelity | to be true; keeps promises |
| justice | fair to all |
