Legal & Ethical Issues in Nursing
Name the 2 Major focuses for nurses regarding Legal implications. - Correct Answers-1. Protect
your clients' rights
2. Protect yourself from legal liability
What are the 5 ways to protect yourself legally when you are a nurse - Correct Answers-1.
Understand the state's laws impacting nursing practice.
2. Follow the rules and regulations in your stat's nurse practice act.
3. Deliver safe, competent nursing care.
4. Develop and use critical thinking skills.
5. Education.
Law is: - Correct Answers-Rule of conduct enforced by the government.
Criminal Law - Correct Answers-protects society as a whole from certain crimes (e.g. theft)
Regulatory Law - Correct Answers-State/Federal administrative agencies, like the State Board of
Nursing, sets legal rules and regulations (e.g. Nurse Practice Act)
Civil Law - Correct Answers-protects rights of individuals in society ensuring fair and equal
treatment. (e.g. voting rights, malpractice, negligence)
Professional and Legal Regulation of Nursing Practice - Correct Answers-RN Credentialing
, -Licensure
*Need license to practice nursing
*Specific education requirements and NCLEX Exam
*License may be revoked w/ due process
-Certification
*State and national certification programs
-Specialty or advanced practice practioner
California Nurse Practice Act - Correct Answers-*Defines the "Standards of Care"
-Details state specific regulations
-Defines scope of nursing practice (what you can and cannot do as a nurse)
-Defines medical vs nursing care (e.g. giving a medications without order)
-Sets education and licensure requirements
Standards of Care - Correct Answers-Legal requirements for the minimum acceptable nursing
care
Nurse scope of practice - Correct Answers-What you can and cannot do as a nurse
Crime - Correct Answers-doing something wrong against person or property (misdemeanor or
felony)
Tort - Correct Answers-CIVIL wrong doing against person or property
Intentional Tort Examples (6) - Correct Answers-Assault, battery, defamation of character, fraud,
invasion of privacy, false imprisonment
Name the 2 Major focuses for nurses regarding Legal implications. - Correct Answers-1. Protect
your clients' rights
2. Protect yourself from legal liability
What are the 5 ways to protect yourself legally when you are a nurse - Correct Answers-1.
Understand the state's laws impacting nursing practice.
2. Follow the rules and regulations in your stat's nurse practice act.
3. Deliver safe, competent nursing care.
4. Develop and use critical thinking skills.
5. Education.
Law is: - Correct Answers-Rule of conduct enforced by the government.
Criminal Law - Correct Answers-protects society as a whole from certain crimes (e.g. theft)
Regulatory Law - Correct Answers-State/Federal administrative agencies, like the State Board of
Nursing, sets legal rules and regulations (e.g. Nurse Practice Act)
Civil Law - Correct Answers-protects rights of individuals in society ensuring fair and equal
treatment. (e.g. voting rights, malpractice, negligence)
Professional and Legal Regulation of Nursing Practice - Correct Answers-RN Credentialing
, -Licensure
*Need license to practice nursing
*Specific education requirements and NCLEX Exam
*License may be revoked w/ due process
-Certification
*State and national certification programs
-Specialty or advanced practice practioner
California Nurse Practice Act - Correct Answers-*Defines the "Standards of Care"
-Details state specific regulations
-Defines scope of nursing practice (what you can and cannot do as a nurse)
-Defines medical vs nursing care (e.g. giving a medications without order)
-Sets education and licensure requirements
Standards of Care - Correct Answers-Legal requirements for the minimum acceptable nursing
care
Nurse scope of practice - Correct Answers-What you can and cannot do as a nurse
Crime - Correct Answers-doing something wrong against person or property (misdemeanor or
felony)
Tort - Correct Answers-CIVIL wrong doing against person or property
Intentional Tort Examples (6) - Correct Answers-Assault, battery, defamation of character, fraud,
invasion of privacy, false imprisonment
