Several key legal concepts are fundamental to nursing practice:
Negligence: Failing to provide the standard of care that a reasonably prudent nurse would provide in similar circumstances. Malpractice: A type of negligence involving professional misconduct or failure to meet professional standards, resulting in patient harm. Informed Consent: The process of obtaining a patient's voluntary agreement to undergo a specific medical intervention after being informed of the risks, benefits, and alternatives. Confidentiality: The ethical and legal duty to protect patient information from unauthorized disclosure. Autonomy: Respecting a patient's right to make their own healthcare decisions.
