Malpractice and negligence are critical legal concepts in nursing. Malpractice refers to professional misconduct or failure to exercise the standard of care that results in harm to the patient. Negligence, on the other hand, is a broader term that includes any act (or lack of action) that falls below the standard of care, leading to patient harm. Nurses must adhere to evidence-based practices and maintain competence in their field to avoid these legal pitfalls.