The 'Reasonable and Prudent Nurse' Standard: Negligence

Legal & Ethical Issues · Question from the ATI RN Leadership 2023 Proctored Exam study set

Correct answer: Negligence

Why this is the answer

Negligence is the failure to act as a reasonably prudent person (or professional) would in similar circumstances, resulting in potential harm.

The bigger concept

'Reasonable and prudent' is the phrase that signals negligence: doing, or failing to do, what a careful nurse with the same training would do in the same situation. Negligence does not require intent. It becomes malpractice when four elements are proven — duty, breach, causation, and damages — and the defendant is a licensed professional. Defamation and libel concern reputation, not care. This exact stem appears twice in the 21-question bank; both items have the same answer.

Related Legal & Ethical Issues practice questions

• Giving a Medication the Patient Refused: Battery
• Wrong Medication After No ID Check: Negligence
• Threatening to Sedate a Disruptive Patient: Assault
• Unjustified Restraint: False Imprisonment
• Disclosing a Diagnosis to Family Without Consent: HIPAA

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