3 Key terms Law & Ethics Flashcards
abandonment
failure to continue to provide medical care to a patient without proper notification
Act
a bill or measure that has become law, often referring to legislation with several parts
advocate
a person who intercedes on another person’s behalf
arbitration
formal process in which the parties to a dispute agree to submit to the decision of a neutral party
autonomy
ability to make independent decisions without constraint or coercion from others
assumption of risk
a defense to a lawsuit that establishes the plaintiff assumed the risk of whatever caused the injury
beneficence
acting in the best possible way; performing good deeds
case law
law established by decisions of previous court cases
cloning
producing genetically identical cells or individuals artificially
common law
unwritten body of law based on general custom
DNR
do not resuscitate; medical order signed by physician that relieves health care personnel from the obligation to resuscitate a patient who stops breathing or whose heart stops
contingency
a condition that must be met before a contract is binding
duty
commitment to act in a certain way
controlled substance
drug that has the potential for addiction or abuse
etiquette
rules of socially acceptable behavior; manners
defendant
the person or group against whom an action is brought in a court of law
fidelity
faithfulness
Drug Enforcement Agency
DEA; the federal agency that enforces the Controlled Substances Act of 1970
gene therapy
giving patients new genes or parts of genes to treat a disease or condition
embezzlement
fraudulent appropriation of funds or property of an employer or client
genetic engineering
making, altering, or repairing genetic material
felony
a serious crime punishable by death or imprisonment
health care proxy
legal document that names an agent to make decisions about a person’s medical care if he or she becomes unable to make wishes known
fraud
intentional deception resulting in injury or loss
living will
legal document that specifies the kind of medical treatment a patient wants or does not want if he or she becomes incapacitated
informed consent
agreement to a medical procedure based on understanding of the procedure and its possible consequences and effects
nonmalfeasance
ethical concept requiring that an action do no harm, or do less harm than good
larceny
stealing another person’s property or money without violence
stem cells
cells that have the capacity to develop into various types of body tissue
liability
legal responsibility
right
a claim that is expected to be honored
license
official permission to perform an activity or practice a profession
veracity
truthfulness
litigation
process of taking a lawsuit through the courts
malfeasance
a crime or wrongdoing that is illegal or contrary to official obligation
malpractice
negligence by a professionsal
mediation
negotiation by a third party to help two parties resolves a dispute
misdemeanor
a less serious crime, punishable by a fine or imprisonment for less than 1 year
misfeasance
performing a legal act in an improper way
negligence
failure to act (or refrain from action) as a reasonably prudent person would in similar circumstances
nonfeasance
failing to perform an act that should have been performed
plaintiff
the person or group that makes the complaint in a lawsuit
prescription
an order to a pharmacist to dispense a supply of medication
privilege
a special immunity that protects against legal liability
prudent
using care or common sense
respondeat superior
legal doctrine making an employer liable for the negligent acts of employees
standard of care
level of appropriate care required of a health care provider
statute of limitations
law limiting the time period for beginning a lawsuit
statutory law
law enacted by a legislative body
subpoena duces tecum
court order to produce documents or records
reciprocity
automatic issuing of a license in one state to the holder of a license in another state
emancipated minor
person under the age of 18 with the rights of an adult including the ability to consent to medical care
