In a case of professional negligence, a jury would compare the nurse's actions (or lack of actions) to what standard?
What the facility states should have been done in that situation.
What the public expectations of what is to be done in the same situation.
What a reasonable and prudent nurse would have done in the same situation.
What the general practice of colleagues at the time, in the same situation.
The Correct Answer is C
What the facility states should have been done in that situation:
Facilities have their own policies and procedures that guide the staff. While these are important for ensuring consistent care and safety, they might not always align perfectly with the evolving standards of practice or individual patient needs. Legal standards are more broadly based on what is reasonable and prudent in the specific situation.
What the public expectations of what is to be done in the same situation:
Public expectations might vary widely and can be influenced by individual beliefs, cultural factors, or misconceptions. Legal standards are established by the profession and are based on specialized knowledge and training, ensuring that they reflect the best practices and evidence-based care.
What a reasonable and prudent nurse would have done in the same situation:
This is the key standard in legal contexts, known as the standard of care. It means evaluating the nurse's actions against what a hypothetical, reasonably competent nurse with similar training and experience would have done under similar circumstances. This standard is based on professional expertise, current evidence, and the specific needs of the patient, making it the most relevant and fair measure in cases of professional negligence.
What the general practice of colleagues at the time, in the same situation:
While professional norms and guidelines do consider the practices of colleagues, they also leave room for individual judgment and critical thinking. Just because a practice is common among colleagues does not necessarily mean it meets the standard of care. The legal standard considers what a reasonably prudent nurse would have done, which may involve a more careful evaluation of the situation than simply following common practice.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is indeed legally separate from advance directives. While both deal with medical interventions, they are distinct concepts:
Advance directives are legal documents that allow individuals to specify their medical treatment preferences in case they become unable to communicate or make decisions. These can include living wills, durable power of attorney for healthcare, and healthcare proxies. Advance directives provide a broader set of instructions regarding medical care and decision-making.
DNR orders, on the other hand, specifically address the issue of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). A DNR order instructs healthcare providers not to attempt CPR if a person's heart stops beating or they stop breathing. DNR orders are often a part of a person's broader advance directives, but they focus specifically on resuscitation efforts.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Middle-range theories have a large number of variables, while grand theories have only a few:Both middle-range theories and grand theories can have varying numbers of variables. The number of variables is not the distinguishing factor between them.
Grand theories are socially significant, while middle-range theories have theoretical significance: Grand theories often have a broader scope and are more abstract, addressing fundamental concepts related to nursing and health. They tend to be more theoretical and less focused on specific practical applications. Middle-range theories, on the other hand, are more specific and are developed to explain and predict limited aspects of nursing practice, making them applicable to particular situations. While grand theories might be seen as socially significant due to their broader concepts, middle-range theories are valuable for their theoretical significance in guiding specific areas of practice.
Middle-range theories form a theoretical framework for evidence-based practice (EBP) research projects: Middle-range theories are often used in nursing research and practice to guide specific research questions and interventions. They provide a structured framework for understanding and addressing specific phenomena, making them valuable in evidence-based practice initiatives.
There are fewer middle-range theories than there are grand theories: The number of theories in both categories can vary, and it's not accurate to say that there are inherently fewer middle-range theories than grand theories. Both categories have contributed significantly to the development of nursing knowledge, and the quantity of theories in each category does not define their value or impact.
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