Chp 3 Legal and Ethical Aspects of Nursing

permission to do what is usually not permitted in other circumstances.

actions and beliefs approved of by a particular group of people.

different from laws, and are important because not all situations are covered by a law and there may not be one right action.

rules of right and wrong from an ethical point of view.

formed to consider ethical problems.

rules of conduct that are established by our govt.

when a law or court decision is challenged in the courts and the judge affirms or reverses the decision.

written statement expressing wishes of the patient regarding future consent for or refusal of treament if the pt is incapable of participating in decision making.

challenge to a court decision; a higher court will judge whether the original decision is affirmed or reversed.

Personal or individual conditions guarantedd by the constitution, bill or rights, and federal or regulatory law.

mentally and emotionally able to understand and act. able to appreciate consequences of actions.

specific drugs with a potential for abuse, such as narcotics, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives. Laws regulate how these are prescribed, dispensed, and stored.

violation of the law.

person accused of violoation of public law (crime) or civil law (tort).

the monetary award to an injured plaintiff when the defendantis found responsible for the injury.

a person under 18 yrs of age wh os legally considered an adult, usually because of marriage, parenthood, or enlistment in the armed services.

a serious crime that may result in a prison term of more than 1 year.

person designated by the pt to make health care decisions when the pt is incapacitated. Usually part of an advice directive.

the responsibility to pay or compensate for a loss or injury that results from ones negligence.

lawsuit, legal process to prove facts of a dispute.

failure to do, or doing. what a prudent reasonable professional would or would not do, results in harm or injury to a pt who is in the professional's care.

policy that protects nurse from expense of defending self from lawsuit; will pay the amt awarded up to policy limits if nurse if found guilty of malpractice.

legal assignment of ability to make health care decisions for another person. similar to a health care agent.

less serious crime than felony. may result in fines, imprisonment of 1 year or less, or both.

failure to do what a prudent (reasonable) person would do, or doin what a reasonable person would not do; results in harm or injury to aother person.

person who believes he or she has been injured by the actions of another, and seeks to prove it in a court of law.

legal action to allow a person to conduct business matters for another.

a judicial decision that is used as a guide to interpreting the law and deciding cases afterward.

one that requires confidentiality; trust information gained in the relationship will not be made public.

legal term for a law.

a violation of a civil law, a wrong against an individual.

comes from agencies created by the legislative. These agencies write regulations or rules that control the profession and its practice.

state licensure is required to practice nursing in the US, each states writes its own laws and regulations.

regulates the degree of dependence or independence of a licensed nurse with regard to other nurses, physicians, and health care providers.

determined by each states board of nursing, usually involving completion of an approved educational program.

recognition of ones states nursing licensure by another state.

although they are not yet licensed, are held to the same standards as a licensed nurse.

to know the nurse practice act and its definition of nursing in the state in which they are practicing, and not exceed the scope of practice for their state. It is not legal to do soemthing beyond the scope of nursing practice just because you were told to do so.

taking responsibility for one's actions.

asking for assistance when unsure, performing nursing tasks in the safe and prescribed manner, reporting and documenting assessments and interventions, and evaluating the care given and the pt's response to that care.

the assignment of duties to another person. (only to another licensed person)

which can be done to an unlicensed person such as a nursing assistant,.