Legal Aspects of Nursing Chapter 4

Nurse Practice Acts (NPA) Define and describe scope of nursing practice Control practice through licensing Where can you find our state’s Nurse Practice Act?

Standards of Care Protect the consumer Drives policies/procedures

Selected Nursing Legal Responsibilities Informed consent Delegation Violence, abuse, neglect

Informed Consent Purpose Essential elements Exceptions Nurses role

Delegation “The transfer of responsibility for the performance of an activity from one person to another while retaining accountability for the outcome.” (American Nurses Association, 1997) Responsibility for action or inaction remains with the nurse.

Violence, Abuse, & Neglect Violent behavior can indicate abuse Neglect Absence of necessary care Mandated report

Advanced Health Care Directives Allow persons to specify aspects of care they wish to receive if unable to make decisions Patient Self-Determination Act Includes life sustaining measures

Do-Not-Resuscitate When client or proxy wishes for no resuscitation Goal of treatment is comfortable, dignified death Further life sustaining measures are not performed

Incident Reports Agency record of an incident or unusual occurrence or accident Purpose is to alert risk management Priority is client assessment & prevention of injury

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