Legal and Ethical Aspects of Nursing: Key Principles
and Laws Questions and Correct Answers | Latest
Update
What are the guiding principles for health care providers? Ans: Laws,
rules, regulations, and ethical principles.
What has impacted the practice of nursing in recent years? Ans: The
rising cost of health care and growing consumer awareness.
What is the legal relationship between the nurse, patient, and family
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influenced by? Ans: Existing laws.
What can result from acting outside the scope of practice? Ans: Potential
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injury to the patient and legal liability.
What must nurses be familiar with to practice safely? Ans: Common
legal issues in nursing, their scope of practice, and standards of care.
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What are the two primary categories of law? Ans: Criminal law and civil
law.
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What does criminal law involve? Ans: Conduct that is offensive to
society and is prosecuted by the government.
What is the purpose of civil law? Ans: To restore the aggrieved person to
their previous status.
What is negligence in the context of nursing? Ans: The absence of due
care, failing to act as a prudent individual would.
What is malpractice? Ans: Professional negligence that includes actions
taken as well as omitted.
What are the four key elements required to establish malpractice? Ans:
Duty, breach of duty, harm, and causation.
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What is a plaintiff in a civil litigation? Ans: The complaining party who
believes a breach of duty has occurred.
What is a complaint in the legal process? Ans: A statement by the
plaintiff that outlines the facts and legal issues of the case.
Who is the defendant in a lawsuit? Ans: The person who is allegedly
liable and must respond to the charges.
What is the discovery phase in a legal process? Ans: A pretrial process
allowing both sides to gather evidence and interview witnesses.
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What happens during deliberation in a trial? Ans: The judge or jury
reaches a verdict of guilty or not guilty.
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What is the role of the attorney for the defendant? Ans: To represent the
defendant and prepare a response to the charges.
What is the significance of maintaining a positive nurse-patient
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relationship? Ans: It is a leading factor in whether a patient seeks legal
action.
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What is statutory law? Ans: Laws developed by federal, state, and local
governments.
What is common law? Ans: Laws developed in response to specific legal
questions, following precedent.
What is the purpose of laws in society? Ans: To prescribe acceptable
behavior and provide protection for all members of the healthcare
system.
What does civil litigation involve? Ans: Legal exchanges between
individuals regarding non-criminal matters.
What is the outcome of a civil lawsuit? Ans: The plaintiff seeks
compensation for pain, suffering, or injury.