| A | B |
|---|
| authorized consent | Parents cannot give informed consent for medical care of a child, but can give authorized consent instead |
| basic patient situation | Patient's clinical condition is predictable. Medical and nursing orders are not changing continuously. No complex modifications needed |
| battery | Causing acute physical harm to someone |
| breach of duty | One of the elements needed to prove negligence. means that the nurse did not adhere to standards of care. |
| border recognition agreement | Agreement among select states to permit licensed nurses to practice within their states, without additional criteria. |
| civil action | Involves the relationships between individuals and the violation of those rights |
| common law | Judge-made law, which has its orgins in the courts |
| complex nursing situation | Patient's clinical condition is not predictable. medical and nursing orders are likely to involve continuous changes or complex modifications |
| confidentiality | Not sharing patient information with anyone not directly involved in care without the patient's permission |
| criminal action | Involves persons and society as a whole; for example, murder. |
| damages | One of four elements needed to prove negligence. Means that patient must be able to show the nurse's negligent act injured the patient in some way |
| defamation | Damage to someone's reputation through false communication or communication without permission |
| delegated medical act | Physician's orders given to an RN or LPN by a physician, dentist, or podiatrist |
| depositions | Gathering information under oath. One of the steps in bringing legal action |
| direct supervision | Supervisor is continuously present to coordinate, direct, or inspect nursing care. Supervisor is in building. |
