Anatomy & Medical-Legal Concepts

24. Malpractice vs. Negligence What is the difference between malpractice and negligence in nursing?

Malpractice is a specific type of professional negligence. It occurs when a licensed professional, like a nurse, fails to follow the professional standards of care, and this failure causes harm to the patient. It requires the professional to have owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and that the breach directly caused the patient's injury.

Negligence is a broader term. It refers to a general failure to exercise a reasonable standard of care that results in harm to another person. It does not necessarily involve a professional context. For example, a person who fails to clear an icy path in front of their house, and someone slips and falls, could be found negligent.

Confidentiality What does the principle of confidentiality in healthcare mean?

Confidentiality is the ethical and legal duty to protect a patient's personal and private information. This means that a nurse should not disclose a patient's information to anyone who is not directly involved in their care unless the patient has given consent or it is legally required. Breaching confidentiality is a serious offense that can lead to disciplinary action and legal penalties.

Types of Leadership

Demographic (Democratic) Leadership:
This style is characterized by leaders who involve team members in decision-making. They encourage participation and consensus-building, valuing the input of their subordinates. It is often seen in a collaborative environment where every member’s opinion is heard, and the final decision is a collective one. This approach promotes high morale and a sense of ownership among the team.


Autocratic (Authoritarian) Leadership: In this style, the leader holds all the decision-making power and dictates all work methods and processes. There is little to no input from team members. The leader makes decisions on their own and expects employees to follow instructions without questioning. This style is efficient in high-stress or emergency situations where quick decisions are necessary, but it can lead to low morale and a lack of creativity.


Laissez-Faire Leadership: This style is marked by a hands-off approach, where the leader provides little to no direction and allows team members to make their own decisions. The leader delegates tasks and provides the necessary resources, but the team is largely responsible for achieving the goals. This approach can be effective with highly skilled and motivated teams but can lead to a lack of productivity and coordination in other groups.

Calculations & Dosage

Drug Calculation 1 A patient has an order for 0.25 mg of Drug (X). The available supply is 0.125 mg per tablet. How many tablets should the nurse administer? Answer: The nurse should administer two tablets.
Calculation: 0.25 mg (ordered dose) / 0.125 mg (available dose per tablet) = 2 tablets.

Drug Calculation 2 A doctor orders Paracetamol 1g QID (four times a day). The pharmacy supplies 250 mg tablets. What is the correct nursing action? Answer: Give the patient four 250 mg tablets.
Calculation: 1g = 1000 mg. The ordered dose is 1000 mg. The available tablets are 250 mg each. 1000 mg / 250 mg = 4 tablets.

Drug Calculation 3 A patient weighs 67 kg. A medication is ordered at a dose of 0.03 mg/kg. What is the correct dose for this patient? Answer: The correct dose is 2.01 mg.
Calculation: 0.03 mg/kg * 67 kg = 2.01 mg.

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