703 Ethics Week 4 Review PDF

703 Ethics Week 4 review ### **1. Review key components of Canada's legal system as it affects nursing practice** - **Public law** governs interactions between individuals and the state (e.g., criminal, tax, human rights laws). - **Private law** covers disputes between individuals, includ...

703 Ethics Week 4 review ### **1. Review key components of Canada's legal system as it affects nursing practice** - **Public law** governs interactions between individuals and the state (e.g., criminal, tax, human rights laws). - **Private law** covers disputes between individuals, including negligence and contracts. - **Statute law** is created by legislative bodies (e.g., **Nursing Act, 1991**), while **common law** is based on judicial precedents. - Nurses are regulated by provincial/territorial bodies that enforce **professional standards** to ensure safe, competent, and ethical practice. ### **2. Discuss the legal responsibilities and obligations of nurses** - Maintain **confidentiality and privacy** of client health information (PHIPA, 2004). - Obtain **informed consent** before providing treatment. - Follow **professional standards of care** to avoid negligence. - **Mandatory reporting** includes child abuse, elder abuse, and gunshot wounds. ### **3. Discuss the concept of duty of care and professional practice liability** - Nurses have a **legal and ethical duty** to provide care that meets accepted standards. - If a nurse **fails to uphold this duty**, they can face **legal consequences**, including malpractice lawsuits. - Employers may be held **vicariously liable** for their employees' negligence. ### **4. Discuss and apply the concept of negligence in nursing practice** - **Negligence occurs** when: - A nurse owes a **duty of care**. - They **fail to meet** that duty. - The patient **suffers harm**. - The nurse's actions **directly caused** the harm. - Examples include **medication errors, failure to monitor vital signs, and inadequate documentation**. - **Prevention**: Follow best practices, communicate clearly, and document thoroughly. ### **5. Discuss how new technologies present legal and ethical issues** - **Electronic Health Records (EHRs)** improve documentation but raise concerns about **data security** and **privacy breaches**. - **Social media** misuse (e.g., sharing patient info) can lead to professional misconduct. - Errors in **copy-pasting patient records** may lead to misinformation and legal consequences. ### **6. Review nursing documentation in accordance with the College of Nurses of Ontario** - **Three key principles**: - **Communication** -- Ensures continuity of care. - **Accountability** -- Reflects professional judgment. - **Security** -- Protects patient confidentiality. - **Accurate, timely, and complete documentation** is required to meet legal and professional standards. ### **7. Examine the legalities of nursing documentation** - **Legal risks**: Poor documentation can be used against a nurse in legal cases. - **Altering records, omitting entries, or backdating notes** can result in legal consequences. - **Incident reports** should be objective, factual, and timely. ### **8. Why has the complexity of legal issues for nursing grown?** - Expanding **scope of practice** increases accountability. - Rising **public awareness** of patient rights leads to more legal scrutiny. - Advances in **life-sustaining technology** introduce new ethical dilemmas. - Increased focus on **professional negligence and liability**. ### **9. What is regulatory law? Are there any Legislative Acts which go with this?** - **Regulatory law** protects the public by governing nursing practice. - In Ontario, it is governed by: - **Nursing Act, 1991** -- Defines nursing roles and responsibilities. - **Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991** -- Outlines professional conduct and controlled acts. ### **10. Difference between public and private laws?** - **Public law**: Governs relationships between individuals and the state (e.g., criminal law, tax law). - **Private law**: Governs disputes between individuals (e.g., contracts, negligence, malpractice). ### **11. What is Fiduciary Duty?** - A **fiduciary duty** means a professional must **prioritize** the interests of their client above their own. - Nurses must act **ethically, competently, and with integrity** to maintain patient trust. ### **12. Torts -- what are they? Differences? Example?** - **Torts = Civil wrongs**. Two types: - **Intentional torts**: Assault, battery, invasion of privacy. - **Unintentional torts**: Negligence (e.g., medication error harming a patient). - Example: A nurse **restraining a patient without consent** is **battery**. ### **13. When do we have responsibilities to report?** - **Mandatory reporting laws** require nurses to report: - **Child abuse** (Children's Aid Society). - **Elder abuse** (If in long-term care, reporting is required). - **Gunshot wounds** (Must be reported to police). - **Sexual abuse by a healthcare professional** (Must report to CNO). ### **14. Privacy and Confidentiality -- why is this so important? What does it mean to nursing?** - **Privacy** belongs to the patient; **confidentiality** is the nurse's duty. - **Breach of confidentiality = Professional misconduct** (e.g., discussing patient info in public). - **Relevant laws**: - **Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), 2004** -- Governs health info privacy. - **Quality of Care Information Protection Act (QOCIPA), 2016** -- Protects quality-of-care discussions. ### **Nursing Documentation Section** ### **15. What is nursing documentation?** - A **permanent legal record** of care that includes assessments, interventions, and patient outcomes. ### **16. Why do we document?** - Ensures **continuity of care**. - Provides **legal protection** in case of disputes. - Supports **quality improvement and research**. ### **17. What are the nurses\' accountabilities for documenting?** - Must be **accurate, complete, timely, and objective**. - Must **reflect professional judgment**. - Failure to document properly can lead to **professional misconduct**. ### **18. Are there strategies to improve documentation?** - **Avoid vague language** (e.g., "patient ate well" → use specific details). - **Use standardized formats** (checklists, SOAP notes). - **Ensure legibility and clarity** in handwritten or electronic records. ### **19. How do you manage a late entry?** - Clearly **label it as a late entry**. - Use **actual date and time** of the event, not when writing the entry. - Never **backdate** or alter previous entries.