Chapter 23

Question 1

Constitutional Law

Answer 1

Branch of law dealing with the organization and function of a government.

Question 2

Statutory Law

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Civil Law

Answer 3

Statutes concerned with protecting a person’s rights.

Question 4

Nurse Practice Acts

Answer 4

A statute enacted by the legislature of each of the states or by the appropriate officers of the districts or professions. The act delineates the legal scope of the practice of nursing within the geographic boundaries or the jurisdiction. The purpose of the act is to protect the public.

Question 5

Criminal Law

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Common Law

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPAHC)

Answer 7

A document that designates an agent or proxy to make health care decisions if the patient is no longer able to make them. The document directs the surrogate person to function as “attorney-in-fact” and make decisions regarding all treatment, including the final decision about cessation of treatment.

Question 8

Informed Consent

Answer 8

Permission obtained from a patient to perform a specific test or procedure. Informed consent is required before most invasive procedures are performed and before a patient is admitted to a research study.

Question 9

Neglect

Answer 9

A condition that occurs when a parent of gaurdian fails to provide minimal physical and emotional support for a child or other dependent person.

Question 10

Intentional Torts

Answer 10

Willful and intentional acts that violate another person’s rights or property.

Question 11

Battery

Answer 11

The unlawful use of force on a person.

Question 12

Unintentional Torts

Answer 12

Unintended acts against another person that produce injury or harm.

Question 13

Negligence

Answer 13

(In law) The commission of an act that a prudent person would not have done or the omission of a duty that a prudent person would have fulfilled, resulting in injury or harm to another person.

Question 14

Malpractice

Answer 14

(In Law) Professional negligence that is the proximate cause of injury or harm to a patient, resulting from a lack of professional knowledge, experience, or skill that can reasonably be expected in others in the profession in similar circumstances or from a failure to exercise reasonable care or judgement in the application of professional knowledge, expertise, or skill.

Question 15

Occurence Report

Answer 15

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