Legal Issues in Nursing and Health Care Worksheet

body of written opinions created by judges in federal and state appellate cases
A category of law that deals with conduct considered unacceptable. It is based on societal expectations regarding interpersonal conduct.
Law that is created through the decision of judges as opposed to laws enacted by legislative bodies.
Being responsible for one's actions; a sense of duty in performing nursing tasks and activities.
Written or verbal instructions created by the patient describing specific wishes about medical care in the event he or she becomes incapacitated or incompetent.
An instrument that authorizes another person to act as one's agent in decisions regarding health care if the person becomes incompetent to make his or her own decisions.
Failure of a professional to meet the standard of conduct that a reasonable and prudent member of his or her profession would excercise in similar circumstances that result in harm.
Failure to act in a manner that an ordinary, prudent person would act in similar circumstances, resulting in harm.
Law enacted by a legislative body; separate from judge-made or common law.
Legal doctrine that holds an employer indirectly responsible for the negligent acts of employees carried out within the scope of employment.
Legal doctrine applicable to cases in which the provider had exclusive control of events that resulted in the patients injury; the injury would have not occurred ordinarily without a negligent act.
An unintended adverse outcome that results in death, paralysis, coma, or other major permanent loss of function.
Monetary compensation awarded to an injured person that goes beyond that which is necessary to compensate for losses and is intended to punish the wrongdoer.
A legal concept that means extreme carelessness showing willful or reckless disregard for the consequences to a person.
A type of liability in which the plaintiff (patient), through his own negligence, contributed to the harm suffered.