Pearson Chpt 4 NCLEX-PN

this group provides guidance to nurses and protection for clients and families

Freedom to make decisions that affect self and to take action for self;

is self-governing and includes 4 basic elements: respect for others, ability to determine person goals, complete understanding of choice, and freedom to implement plan or choice

to do no harm, either intentional or unintentional

to act in the best interest of others; to contribute to the well-being of others; includes client advocacy, has three major components: to promote good, prevent harm or evil, and remove harm or evil

fair, equitable, and appropriate treatment; resources are distrubuted equally to all

raminaing faithful to ethical principles and ANA  Code of Ethics for Nurses; keeping commitments and promises

to tell the truth, which has added benefit of promoting trust between client and nurse

being answerable to self and others of one's actions; includes the concept of responsibiltiy, a specific type of accountability for duties performed within a specific role

legal limits of nursing are dictated by state and federal laws and guidelines are are regulate by who?

determines the scope of practice for a professional nurse in a specifice state

Type of law:
law of the land; defines structure, power and limits of government; guarantees fundamental rights and liberty.  Example due process or equal protection

Type of Law:
Law enacted by legislative branch of government; regulatory agencies are established through statutes.  Example:  Nurse practice act, informed consent, living wills, reporting abuse, and sexual harassment

Type of law:
judge made law, derived from court decision that establish a precedent by which other cases are judged.  Example:  Resoulution of a dispute between two parties

Type of law:
Authority of administrative agencies to create rules and regulations to enforce statutory laws.  Example:  Rules and regulations of a State Board of Nursing

Type of law:
laws affecting safety and welfare of public.  Example  Homicide, theft, arson, sexual assault, euthanasia

Type of law:
Law that applies to relationship between private individuals; includes contract law and tort law. 

nurses are responsible and accountable for incorrect or inappropriate actions or inactions

unintentional failure to act as a reasonable person in similar circumstances would act that results in injury to another

nurse has responsibility to care for and watch over clients as a componenet of employment; it indicates legal relationship between clients and nurses

nurse fails to complete this duty; this can include acts of commission (activities nurses did) or omission (activities nurse failed to do)

client has suffered physical, emotional, or financial injuries

there is a reasonable close causal connection between nurse's conduct and resulting injury

negligence by a professional; professional failure to carry out or perform duties that result in injury to another; acting outside one's scope of practice

threat of harm or unwanted contact with client that causes the client fear

a purposeful touching of client without that client's consent

can result from violations of confidentiality

deliberately deceiving client for purpose of unlawful gain

sharing client information with a third party that results in damage to client's reputation; can occur in the form of slander (oral) or libel (in writing)

prohibiiting a client from leaving a health care facility with no legal justification

using chemical or physical restraints without satisfactory clinical evidence of need

a legal protection of client's right to choose type of care desired and make own decision about health care

There are two types:  living will or health care proxy (also called durable power of attorney for health care)

outlines medical treatment client wishes to refuse (e.g. intubation) if client unable to communicate wishes at that time

appoints someone (usually family or trusted friend) to make health care decisions if client unable to do so

do not put a copy of this report in the clients records or make reference to incident report in client  record

clients in mental health setting do not relinquish right to this upone admission; may still accept or refuse specific aspects of treatment or care

extremely important also in psychiatric mental health nursing