Legal issues in nursing (CH 3)

Question 1

Abandonment of patient

Answer 1

To desert or forsake a patient in your charge; to leave a patient in your charge without appropriate nursing replacement; wrongful termination of care

Question 2

advance directives

Answer 2

a written statement of a person’s wishes regarding medical treatment, often including a living will, made to ensure those wishes are carried out should the person be unable to communicate them to a doctor.

Question 3

appeal

Answer 3

to challenge the decision of a court to a higher court, where the decision will be either confirmed or reversed

Question 4

assault

Answer 4

To purposely threaten physical harm to an individual (verbal)

Question 5

Battery

Answer 5

unlawful touching of another person without consent

Question 6

civil law

Answer 6

the individual or personal rights guaranteed by federal law, such as the Bill of Rights

Question 7

Competency

Answer 7

The legal qualification to make one’s own decisions

Question 8

consent

Answer 8

to give permission for, to agree to, the consent must generally be written

Question 9

controlled substances

Answer 9

Drugs regulated by laws; drugs that have potential for abuse, such as narcotics

Question 10

criminal law

Answer 10

Laws that protect the public or society

Question 11

damages

Answer 11

Money awarded to a plaintiff upon proving injury by the defendant

Question 12

defendant

Answer 12

the one accused of breaking criminal and civil law

Question 13

Durable medical power of attorney

Answer 13

Legal written designation making another person responsible for one’s medical decisions

Question 14

emancipated minor

Answer 14

Legal consideration of one younger than age 18 years as an adult because he or she lives alone and is self-supporting, has joined the military, is married, or is a parent

Question 15

liability

Answer 15

one person’s responsibility for his or hers action, such as act of negligence

Question 16

libel

Answer 16

false written statements about another that are made publicly known, with intent to harm

Question 17

Malpractice

Answer 17

Injury, loss, or damage to a patient because of failure to provide a reasonable standard of care or demonstrate a reasonable level of skill

Question 18

Negligence

Answer 18

failure to provide certain care that another person of the same education and locale would generally provide under the same circumstances

Question 19

Plantiff

Answer 19

the one accusing another of criminal or civil law

Question 20

statute

Answer 20

written law

Question 21

tort

Answer 21

a violation of civil law; involves a wrong against an individual or his or her property