flashcards exam 3.txt

"An ethical duty stating that one should be answerable legally, morally, ethically, or socially for one's activities. (Cherry 191)"

Process whereby a nurse objectively provides patients with the information they need to make decisions and supports the patients in whatever decisions they make.

Unlawful threat to bring about harmful or offensive contact with another.

Ability or tendency to function independently.

Legal term for touching of another's body without consent.

Doing good or active promotion of doing good. One of the four principles of the ethical theory of deontology.

Branch of ethics within the field of health care.

Body of written opinions created by judges in federal and state appellate cases; also known as judge-made law and common law. (Cherry 142)

"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 litigation include professional malpractice, negligence, and assault and battery. (Cherry 142)"

Formal statement that delineates a profession's guidelines for ethical behavior; a code of ethics sets standards or expectations for the professional to achieve.

One source for law that is created by judicial decisions as opposed to those created by legislative bodies (statutory law).

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. (Cherry 142)

Specific range of skills necessary to perform a task.

"The act of keeping information private or secret; in health care, the nurse only shares information about a patient with other nurses or health care providers who need to know private information about a patient in order to provide care for the patient; information can only be shared with the patient's consent."

Concerned with acts that threaten society but may involve only an individual.

"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. (Cherry 142)"

Individual or organization against whom legal charges are brought in a court of law.

"Traditional theory of ethics that proposes to define actions as right or wrong based on the characteristics of fidelity to promises, truthfulness, and justice. The conventional use of ethical terms such as justice, autonomy, beneficence, and nonmaleficence constitutes the practice of deontology."

Dilemma existing when the right thing to do is not clear. Resolution requires the negotiation of differing values among those involved in the dilemma.

Set of guidelines for a profession's expectations and standards of behavior for its members. (Potter 1182)

"The capacity to decide with intelligence and compassion, given uncertainty in a care situation, with an additional ability to anticipate consequences and the courage to act (Cherry 191)"

Principles or standards that govern proper conduct.

The didactic and experiential process of developing ethical reasoning abilities as a part of ongoing professional preparation (Cherry 191)

Delivery of health care based on ethical principles and standards of care.

Crime of a serious nature that carries a penalty of imprisonment or death.

Ethical approach that focuses on relationships of those involved in an ethical dilemma rather than traditional abstract principles of deontology.

The agreement to keep a promise.

"Legislation enacted in some states to protect health care professionals from liability in rendering emergency aid, unless there is proven willful wrong or gross negligence."

"Process of obtaining permission from a patient to perform a specific test or procedure, after describing all risks, side effects, and benefits."

An interdisciplinary committee that discusses and processes ethical dilemmas that arise within a health care institution.

deliberate acts that violate another person's rights (Potter 50)

The ethical standard of fairness.

Instruments by which a dying person makes wishes known.

Injurious or unprofessional actions that harm another.

Lesser crime than a felony; the penalty is usually a fine or imprisonment for less than 1 year.

Personal conviction that something is absolutely right or wrong in all situations.

Careless act of omission or commission that results in injury to another.

"preventable errors, which may include falls, urinary tract infections from improper use of catheters, and pressure ulcers (Potter 52)"

The fundamental ethical agreement to do no harm. Closely related to the ethical standard of beneficence.

Statutes enacted by the legislature of any of the states or by the appropriate officers of the districts or possessions that describe and define the scope of nursing practice.

Confidential document that describes any patient accident while the person is on the premises of a health care agency.

Individual who files formal charges against an individual or organization for a legal offense.

A person designated by the patient to make health care decisions for the patient if the patient becomes unable to make his or her own decisions.

"Local, state, provincial, or national agencies that inspect and certify health care agencies as meeting specified standards. These agencies can also determine the amount of reimbursement for health care delivered."

"A function of administration of a hospital or other health facility directed toward identification, evaluation, and correction of potential risks that could lead to injury of patients, staff members, or visitors and result in property loss or damage."

Minimum level of care accepted to ensure high-quality care to patients. Standards of care define the types of therapies typically administered to patients with defined problems or needs.

Of or related to laws enacted by a legislative branch of the government.

Act that causes injury for which the injured party can bring civil action.

Ethic that proposes that the value of something is determined by its usefulness. The greatest good for the greatest number of people constitutes the guiding principle for action in a utilitarian model of ethics.

Personal belief about the worth of a given idea or behavior.

An ethical duty to tell the truth.