ch.7 Flashcards
accreditation
process by which an educational program is evaluated and then recognized as having met certain predetermined standards of education
assault
threat or an attempt to make bodily contact with another person without that person’s permission
battery
assault that is carried out
common law
law resulting from court decisions that is then followed when other cases involving similar circumstances and facts arise
defamation of character
an intentional tort in which one party makes derogatory remarks about another that diminishes the other party’s reputation;
defendant
the one being accused of a crime or tort
expert witness
nurse who explains to the judge and jury what happened based on the patient’s record and who offers an opinion as to whether the nursing care met acceptable standards of practice
fact witness
nurse who has knowledge of the actual incident prompting a legal case;
felony
a crime punishable by imprisonment in a state or federal penitentiary for more than 1 year
fraud
willful and purposeful misrepresentation that could cause, or has caused, loss or harm to people or property
litigation
process of lawsuit
malpractice
act of negligence as applied to a professional person such as a physician, nurse, or dentist
nurse practice act
law established to regulate nursing practice
root cause analysis
deep investigation into a sentinel event to determine why the event occurred, and exploring the circumstances that led to it to determine where improvements can be made
sentinel event
an unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological injury, or the risk thereof
