Chapter 5 - Legal and Ethical Responsibilities

Criminal Law

• Law that focuses on behavior known as crime; deals with the wrongs against a person, property, or society

• Law that regulates the conduct of individuals in business transactions

• Law that governs the relationship between individuals and the state

• Law that deals with the rights and duties of individuals in civil matters

Informed Consent

• Permission granted voluntarily by a person who is of sound mind and aware of all factors involved

• A legal document that must be signed before any medical procedure

• An agreement made under duress or pressure

• A verbal agreement without any written documentation

Abuse

• Any care that results in physical harm or pain, or mental anguish

• Providing care that is always beneficial and supportive

• Offering assistance without any emotional involvement

• Delivering care that is strictly professional and detached

Legal

• Authorized or based on law

• Permitted by social norms

• Commonly accepted in society

• Related to personal beliefs

Patients' Rights

• Factors of care that all patients can expect to receive

• A list of medications prescribed to patients

• A summary of hospital policies

• A guide to patient billing procedures

Slander

• Incorrect information that is spoken

• A legal term for written defamation

• A type of spoken compliment

• A form of public speaking

Tort

• A wrongful or illegal act of civil law not involving a contract

• A type of criminal offense

• A legal agreement between two parties

• A form of property ownership

Libel

• False written statement that causes a person ridicule or contempt or causes damage to the person's reputation.

• True spoken statement that enhances a person's reputation.

• Written statement that is true and causes no harm.

• False written statement that is humorous and causes no damage.

Living Wills

• Legal documents stating a person's desires on what measures should or should not be taken to prolong life when his or her condition is terminal

• Documents that outline a person's financial wishes after death

• Legal agreements for organ donation

• Guidelines for end-of-life care without legal standing

Advance Directives

• Legal document designed to indicate a person's wishes regarding care in case of a terminal illness or during the dying process

• A type of insurance policy for end-of-life care

• A document that allows someone to make financial decisions on behalf of another

• A legal form for donating organs after death