In a case of professional negligence, a jury would compare the nurse's actions (or lack of actions) to what standard?

Client: Clients or patients are at the center of nursing care, and their well-being is a primary focus of nursing theories and models.

Environment: The environment in which the client exists, including physical, social, and cultural factors, is often considered in nursing models. It can influence a client's health and well-being.

Health: Health is a central concept in nursing theories. Different models may define health in various ways, such as the absence of disease, a state of well-being, or the ability to function at one's fullest potential.

Nursing: Nursing itself is a key concept in nursing theories and models. These theories often outline the role of the nurse, their responsibilities, and their impact on the client's health and well-being.

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.