Chapter 2 Key Terms

Question 1

Beneficence

Answer 1

performance of good acts

Question 2

Medical negligence

Answer 2

a breach of the health care provider’s obligation to follow the appropriate standard of care, which results in harm to the patient

Question 3

Negligence

Answer 3

an unintentional tort involving duty, breach of duty, injury, and causation

Question 4

Nonmaleficence

Answer 4

the avoidance of evil

Question 5

Principle of double effect

Answer 5

a person may perform an act that has or risks evil effects as long as four certain conditions are met

Question 6

Reasonable care

Answer 6

the degree of care a reasonable person, similarly situated, would use

Question 7

Res ipsa loquitur

Answer 7

Latin term meaning “the thing speaks for itself.” It is a legal concept invoked in situations in which a particular injury could not have occurred in the absence of negligence

Question 8

Standard of care

Answer 8

the degree of skill or care practiced by a reasonable professional practicing in the same field