What are the key legal principles nurses need to understand?
Nurses must be familiar with several key legal principles, including informed consent, confidentiality, negligence, and scope of practice. Informed consent requires that patients are fully informed about the procedures and treatments they will undergo. Confidentiality involves protecting patient information and ensuring it is only shared with authorized individuals. Negligence refers to the failure to provide care that meets the standard expected, which can result in harm to the patient. Understanding the scope of practice is crucial to ensure that nurses do not perform tasks beyond their professional capabilities.
