Ethical and Professional Practices

Question 1

What is professional misconduct?

Answer 1

The wrong conduct or poor conduct of a nurse outside their duty of care, e.g., drunken behaviour or illegal activity outside work

Question 2

What is unprofessional conduct?

Answer 2

Behaving outside the agreed or accepted standards of being a nurse, e.g., not maintaining patient confidentiality

Question 3

What is Standard of Care?

Answer 3

The knowledge, skills, attitude and judgement expected of members of a profession to practice safely

Question 4

What are the 3 major elements of consent?

Answer 4

1. The consent must be given voluntarily
2. The consent must be given by a person who has the capacity and competence to understand
3. The person requiring care must be given enough information to be the ultimate decision maker

Question 5

What is negligence?

Answer 5

Misconduct or practice that is below the standard expected of an ordinary, reasonable and prudent person

Question 6

What is criminal negligence?

Answer 6

• Occurs when the health care professional’s action has been grossly negligent as to be deliberately reckless and maybe charged under criminal law
• Criminal law deals with actions against the safety ad welfare of the public
• Murder, manslaughter and theft

Question 7

Define assault

Answer 7

An attempt or threat to touch another person unjustifiably

Question 8

Define battery

Answer 8

The wilful touching of a person, or person’s clothes or items on their person that may or may not cause harm

Question 9

What are the 3 types of consent?

Answer 9

1. Implied
2. Verbal
3. Written