Nursing Jurisprudence
2026 | Nursing Law, Ethics,
Legal Responsibilities,
Practice Questions &
Exam Review | Complete
Ethics Study Guide
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
, Negliegence Failure to do something that a normally prudent person would do
Negligence : Comission Wrong doing
Negligence: Omission Total neglect of care, not doing anything
Example of negligence in nursing -telling a suicidal bipolar patient that it is okay for them to refuse their medication.
-Failure to report observations to Dr
-Mistaken ID
-Wrong dose, wrong medication
-Defects in equipment leading to falls
-Errors d/t family assistance
-Administer meds without Dr. order
Res Ipsa Loquitur A doctrine under which negligence may be inferred simply because an event
occurred, if it is the type of event that would not occur in the absence of negligence.
Literally, the term means "the facts speak for themselves."
Conditions to Establish Negligence Under "Res Ipsa 1. would not normally occur unless someone was negligent
Loquitor" 2. injury caused by agency with control over defendant
3. plantiff did not engage in any manner that would tend to bring about the injury
Respondeat Superior "Let the master answer" an employer is vicariously liable for the behavior of an
employee working within his or her scope of employment
Bonus Pater Familias Paternalism. Good father of the family.
Employer is held liable upon finding that he has been negligent in the selection of
his employees (culpa en eligiendo) or in the supervision of his employees (culpa in
vigilando)
frolic employee makes a minor departure from his emplyee's charge
detour employee is acting on his own benefit, rather than a minor sidetrack
force majeure unforeseeable circumstances that prevent someone from fulfilling a contract
Malpractice Failure by a health professional to meet accepted standards. Improper or unskillful
care.
Example of malpractice nurse administers too large dose of medication due to calculation error.
Anesthesia related complications.
Failure to follow advance directive.
incompetence Acts or conducts that are not authorized or licensed to perform
2026 | Nursing Law, Ethics,
Legal Responsibilities,
Practice Questions &
Exam Review | Complete
Ethics Study Guide
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
, Negliegence Failure to do something that a normally prudent person would do
Negligence : Comission Wrong doing
Negligence: Omission Total neglect of care, not doing anything
Example of negligence in nursing -telling a suicidal bipolar patient that it is okay for them to refuse their medication.
-Failure to report observations to Dr
-Mistaken ID
-Wrong dose, wrong medication
-Defects in equipment leading to falls
-Errors d/t family assistance
-Administer meds without Dr. order
Res Ipsa Loquitur A doctrine under which negligence may be inferred simply because an event
occurred, if it is the type of event that would not occur in the absence of negligence.
Literally, the term means "the facts speak for themselves."
Conditions to Establish Negligence Under "Res Ipsa 1. would not normally occur unless someone was negligent
Loquitor" 2. injury caused by agency with control over defendant
3. plantiff did not engage in any manner that would tend to bring about the injury
Respondeat Superior "Let the master answer" an employer is vicariously liable for the behavior of an
employee working within his or her scope of employment
Bonus Pater Familias Paternalism. Good father of the family.
Employer is held liable upon finding that he has been negligent in the selection of
his employees (culpa en eligiendo) or in the supervision of his employees (culpa in
vigilando)
frolic employee makes a minor departure from his emplyee's charge
detour employee is acting on his own benefit, rather than a minor sidetrack
force majeure unforeseeable circumstances that prevent someone from fulfilling a contract
Malpractice Failure by a health professional to meet accepted standards. Improper or unskillful
care.
Example of malpractice nurse administers too large dose of medication due to calculation error.
Anesthesia related complications.
Failure to follow advance directive.
incompetence Acts or conducts that are not authorized or licensed to perform
