Legal and Ethical Flashcards
Autonomy
Independence: self-governance. An ethical principle that emphasizes the status of persons as autonomous moral agents whose right to determine their destinies should always be respected
Beneficence
An ethical principle that refers to ones duty to benefit or promote the good of others
Non-maleficence
The ethical principle that espouses abstaining from negative acts toward another, including acting carefully to avoid harm
Justice
An ethical principle reflecting that all individuals should be treated equally and fairly
Social Justice
Can be summarized as the principle that rules for both distribution and rules for retribution should be fair and people should play by the rules
Veracity
An ethical principle that refers to ones duty to always be truthful
3 rights in mental health
Right to treatment
Right to refuse treatment
Right to least restrictive treatment alternative
Patient self determination act
requires healthcare facilities to provide clear written information for every patient concerning his/her legal rights to make healthcare decisions, including the right to accept or refuse treatment (helps the patient)
Nurse practice acts
legal parameters of professional and practical nursing are defined within each state by the states nurse practice act (helps the nurses)
Statutory Law
A law that has been enacted by legislative bodies , such as a county or city council, state legislature, or the US Congress
Common Law
laws that are derived from decisions made in previous cases
Civil Law
Law that protects the private and property rights of individuals and businesses
Criminal Law
Law that provides protection from conduct deemed injurious to the public welfare. It provides for punishment of those found to have engaged in such conduct
Duty To Warn
A therapist or healthcare provider is required to warn an individual, notify police, or take whatever steps are necessary to protect the intended victim from harm
Suspected child or elder abuse
Every state requires healthcare professionals to report suspicion of child or elder abuse. In mental health patients the nurse has a responsibility to explore all patient perceptions of abuse or mistreatment and discuss these with other health-care team members to identify the most appropriate decision with consideration of all legal, ethical, and clinical factors