| A | B |
|---|
| do-not-resuscitate (DNR) | Order written by physician. Patient recovery is beyond hope of recovery. Patient may have signed an advance directive regarding end-of-life care, which clarifies personal wishes |
| durable medical power of attorney | Identifies who will make decisions regarding future care, extent of treatment, and kinds of treatment if the person is unable to make his or her own decisions. written while the person is mentally competent |
| duty | One of four elements needed to prove negligence. Refers to nurse's responsibility to provide care in an acceptable way. As used in nursing, responsibilities directly related to nursing licensure and scope of practice. usually not delegated to someone with less education and nursing skill |
| end-of-life principles (EOL) | Being pro-active for the dying patient by increasing conversations and actions toward the preparation for better end-of-life journeys |
| felony | Serious offense, with a penalty that ranges from 1 year in prison to death. |
| general (implied) consent | By entering a health facility voluntarily, a patient gives permission for treatment with noninvasive procedures. However, a patient may revoke this consent verbally and refuse to be treated. |
| general supervision | Supervision regularly coordinates, directs, or inspects nursing care and is within reach either in the building or by phone |
| Good Samaritan Act | Stipulates that a person who provides emergency care at the scene of an accident is immune from civil liability for actions done in good faith. There is some variation of the law within states. |
| Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) | Commonly called the Privacy Act. Steps and conditions for providing patient privacy in health care settings went into effect in 2003 |
| incident report | Federally required brief narrative of incident, written by person who witnessed it. Purpose is in-house improvement of care. |
| informed consent | Obtained by physician for invasive procedures after physician has provided patient with facts about effecgts, side effects, alternative treatments, prognosis, etc. May be revoked verbally anytime, up to time of procedure. |
| intentional torts | Intent to do a wrongful act |
| interstate indorsement | Agreement among states that licensed nurses do not have to repeat NCLEX-PN examination if they meet criteria for working in the state |
| institutional liability | Form of vicarious liability. Health setting sued for negligence of employee |
| law | Nursing law is based on each state's Nurse Practice Act |
| liability | Legal responsibility of a person to account for wrongful acts by making financial restitution |
| libel | Damage to someone's reputation through written communication or pictures |
| living will | Written directive stating personal wishes regarding future health care. Not recognized as a legal document in every state or other countries |
| malpractice (professional negligence) | A part of negligence that relates to lack of skill or misconduct by professional persons |
| misdemeanor | Least serious infraction of the law. Can result in a fine or up to 1 year jail. |
