NURSING JURISPRUDENCE

NURSING JURISPRUDENCE- department of law which comprise all legal rules and
principles affecting the practice of nursing.
NURSING LEGISLATION - the making of laws, or the body of laws already affecting
the practice of nursing.
LAW - a rule of civil conduct prescribed by the supreme power in a state
commanding what is right and prohibiting what is wrong.
LEGAL RIGHT - a claim which can be enforced by legal means against a person
whose duty is to respect it.
COURT MECHANISMS
LAWSUIT- proceeding in court for a purpose.
Purpose: 1. to enforce a right
2. to redress a wrong

PARTIES TO CASES: Civil case- Complainant/ defendant

Criminal case- Plaintiff/ accused

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS - the length of time following the event during which
the plaintiff may file a suit.
Example: negligence- filed within 2-3 years from occurrence.

DUE PROCESS - is a fair and orderly process which aims to protect and enforce a
person’s right.
FUNDAMENTAL REQUIREMENTS OF DUE PROCESS:
1. Right to be informed
2. Right to remain silent
3. Right to a competent counsel
4. No use of violence, threat, torture

PRE-TRIAL- eliminate matters not in dispute, agree on issues or settle procedural

matters.

TRIAL- facts are presented and determined; law applied at the end.

SUMMONS- is a writ commanding an authorized person to notify a party to appear

in court to answer a complaint made against him.

WARRANT- presented by an arresting officer

SUBPOENA- is an order that requires a person to attend at a specific time and

place to testify as a witness.

SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM- is a subpoena that requires a witness to bring

documents/ papers in his possession.

WITNESS- person giving necessary details

NURSES AS WITNESS: could not divulge PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION in a

civil case- means that the nurse is incompetent to testify on the communications
made to him by the patients, all the device given and all the information gathered
by observation during the seal of secrecy.
Exceptions: 1. criminal case
2. with the patient’s consent
3. patient sued doctor for damages

TESTIMONIES OF FACTS- factual information

no opinion unless an expert witness

PERJURY- is the willful telling of a lie under oath.

HEARSAY EVIDENCE- rumors, not admissible in evidence

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DYING DECLARATION or ANTEMORTEM STATEMENTS- considered hearsay
unless the dying person is a victim of a crime.

APPEALS- review of the case by appellate court and when decided by it, the final
judgment results and matter is ended.

EXECUTION OF JUDGMENT - failure to comply means contempt of court

FELONIES - acts or omissions punishable by law.

ELEMENTS OF FELONY:
1. Deceit-( dolo)
2. Fault-(culpa) - due to imprudence, negligence or lack of foresight/ skill

STAGES OF FELONIES:
1. Consummated - all elements executed, with successful result
2. Frustrated - all elements executed but no successful result
3. Attempted - not all elements executed, no successful result

CLASSIFICATION OF PERSONS CRIMINALLY LIABLE:

1. PRINCIPAL
a. by direct participation- doer of the act
b. by inducement-directly force or induce others
c. by cooperation- indispensable

2. ACCOMPLICE - a person who cooperates

- “ accessory before the fact”- absent at the time crime is
committed.

3. ACCESSORY - “ accessory after the fact”

a. Profits
b. Conceals/ destroys evidence
c. Assists in the escape of the principal

CIRCUMSTANCES AFFECTING CRIMINAL LIABILITY

JUSTIFYING CIRCUMSTANCES
 SELF-DEFENSE
– Unlawful aggression
– Reasonable necessity
– Lack of sufficient provocation
 Fulfillment of Duty
 Obedience to an order from superior
– Order must be lawful
– Superior acting within the scope of practice
EXEMPTING CIRCUMSTANCES
 Insane/imbecile
 Performance of a lawful act causes injury by mere accident
 Under 9 y/o
 Under compulsion of uncontrollable force
 Under impulse of uncontrollable fear
 Failure to perform an act required by law when prevented by some lawful
cause

MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES
 Under 18y/o or over 70 y/o
 No intention to commit so grave a wrong
 Sufficient provocation/threat preceding the act
 Immediate vindication of a grave offense
 Voluntary surrender
 Deaf & dumb/ with physical defect
 Suffer from such illness that diminishes willpower
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AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES
 Treachery/taking advantage of superior strength or position
 Price, reward, promise
 Use of fire, poison, explosion
 Calamities
 Craft, fraud or disguise employed
 Evident Premeditation
 Cruelty
ALTERNATIVE CIRCUMSTANCES - may increase/ decrease criminal liability
depending on the nature and effects of the crime
Relationship
Intoxication
Degree of instruction/ education

PHYSICAL INJURIES
1. Serious Physical Injuries
2. Less Serious Physical Injuries
3. Slight Physical Injuries

ROBBERY - anyone who gets the personal property of another with the use of
force,violence or intimidation.

THEFT -anyone who gets the personal property of another without the latter’s
permission.

ASSAULT - imminent threat of harmful/ offensive body contact

BATTERY - intentional, unconsented touching of another person.

INFANTICIDE – crime committed of person killed is age < 72h or <3days old

PARRICIDE – killing of a person with relationship, ex. Bro in-law, sis, - relative

HOMICIDE – killed a person to whom you have no relationship- product of

negligence.

MURDER – killing of a person with intension.

ILLEGAL DETENTION/ FALSE IMPRISONMENT - deprive another of his freedom

of movement or space.

SIMULATION OF BIRTH - 1. Pretend that a woman gave birth

2. Substitution or exchanging of babies in the nursery
3. intentionally putting wrong information in the birth
registration form
DEFAMATION- 1. Slander- oral
2. Libel- written
3.
INVASION OF PRIVACY - the right to be left alone, free from unwarranted
publicity, right to live one’s life. Nurses are liable if they divulge any
information from patient’s chart to improper or unauthorized persons.

MISDEMEANOR - an act less than a felony.

GUIDELINES TO PREVENT CRIMINAL LIABILITY:

1. Be very familiar with the Philippine Nursing law
2. Be familiar with the laws affecting nursing practice
3. Know agency rules, regulations, policies
4. Upgrade skills and competence
5. Develop good relationship with co-workers
6. Consult superior as needed
7. Verify vague/ erroneous orders
8. Always keep doctor updated regarding patient
9. Ensure accurate recording and reporting
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 10. Get informed consent
11. Do not delegate responsibilities to others

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS IN CHARTING:

1. Don’t tamper with medical records- adding, rewriting and destroying original
record
2. Observe agency’s standards on documentation
 complete, concise, specific, use standard abbreviation

TIPS FOR AVOIDING LEGAL PITFALLS:

1. Patient Falls
– do proper assessment
– appropriate assistance
– use protective measures
– document all nursing interventions
2. Medication errors
 observe 7 R’s of drug administration
 Check dr’s order
 Understand the medication you will administer
 Consult drug handbook/ pharmacy
 Not exempt from liability for following Doctor’s order

3. Equipment injuries
 refuse to use a device not know how to operate
 report adverse events to superiors
 monitor patient regularly
 bring questionable orders to the attention of the doctor or superior

1. Failure to communicate
 promptly report changes in the patient’s symptoms and signs of distress to
the Dr
 proper documentation of all assessments and telephone conversations with
the Dr

NURSES AND CONTRACTS

CONTRACT- agreement between at least two parties which create an obligation

recognized by law.

ELEMENTS OF A VALID CONTRACT:

1. given freely/ voluntarily- no coercion/ pressure
2. competent parties- 18 yrs old, sound mind
3. lawful object- within the bounds of law
4. valid consideration- has monetary value

ESSENTIAL REQUISITES:
1. Consent
2. Object certain
3. Cause of the obligation

TYPES OF CONTRACT:
1. Implied- terms are inferred from actions of contracting parties.
2. Expressed- verbal/ written, terms are specified/ given at the time the contract is
made.
3. Void or inexistent- inexistent from the very beginning therefore may not be
enforced. Ex: contrary to law.
4. Illegal - expressly prohibited by law like obtained through fraud, undue influence
or duress.
5. Voidable/annullable- one of the parties is incapable of giving consent
6. Formal- agreement among parties and is required to be in writing by special
laws. Ex: marriage, Deed of Sale
6. Informal- concluded as a result of a written document where the law does not
require the same to be in writing.

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BREACH OF CONTRACT- failure without legal excuse to perform any promise
which forms the contract.
The following constitute breach of contract for nursing service:
1. Prevention of performance
2. Failure of performance because of inconvenience or difficulty
3. Abandonment of duty
4. Substitution of performance

LEGAL EXCUSES IN REFUSING OR FAILURE TO PERFORM A CONTRACT:

1. Discovery of material misrepresentation
2. Where performance will be illegal
3. Impossible by reason of illness
4. Impossible by death of patient or nurse
5. Made for other reasons
6. Contract is insufficient

WILL - an act whereby a person is permitted with formalities of law to control to

certain degree the disposition of a state to take effect after his death.

DECEDENT- person whose property is transmitted through succession.

TESTATOR- a decedent who left a will

HEIR- a person called to succession

TYPES OF SUCCESSION:
1. Testate- a person dies leaving a will.
2. Intestate- a person dies without leaving a will.

TWO KINDS:
1. Notarial will- acknowledged before a notary public, with attestation clause
2. Holographic will- entirely written, dated and signed in the handwriting of
the testator

WHO MAKES WILLS:

1. those not expressly prohibited by law
2. 18 yrs old
3. sound mind

WHO COULD BE WITNESSES:

1. sound mind
2. 18 and above
3. not blind, deaf or dumb
4. able to read and write

NURSE’S OBLIGATION IN THE EXECUTION OF A WILL:

1. Note the soundness of client’s mind and to ensure that there is freedom from
fraud/ undue influence.
2. Note that the will is signed by the testator.
3. Note that the witnesses shall be present at the time and sign in the presence of
testator.

GIFTS MORTIS CAUSA - disposing of gifts by a person in anticipation of death/

belief in approaching death.

LIMITATIONS:
1. limited to personal properties
2. acceptance by the recipient
3. gifts are revocable and subject to the claims of creditors without proof of intent of
defrauding them

NEGLIGENCE AND MALPRACTICE

NEGLIGENCE - an act of omission or commission

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CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE
2 TYPES:
1. RECKLESS IMPRUDENCE- A person does an act or fails to do it
voluntarily but without malice from which material damage results
immediately.
2. SIMPLE IMPRUDENCE- the person or nurse did not use precaution and
the damage was not immediate or impending danger was not evident or
manifest.

3 ESSENTIAL CONDITIONS FOR ACTIONABLE NEGLIGENCE:

1. Existence of a duty
2. Failure to perform that duty
3. Injury resulting from such failure

DOCTRINES UNDER NEGLIGENCE:

1. Doctrine of “Res ipsa Loquitur” – “the thing speaks for itself”

Three Conditions required:
1. The injury was of such nature that it would not normally occur unless
there was a negligent act;
2. That the injury was caused by an agency within the control of the
defendant;
3. That the plaintiff did not engage in any manner that would tend to
bring about the injury.
* If all present, NO FURTHER PROOF REQUIRED
Examples:
- Negligence resulting to injury to a delirious patient
- Liability for sponge left in the patient’s abdomen

2. Doctrine of “ Respondeat Superior” – “ captain of the ship doctrine”;

principal answers for the acts of its agents
Example: Liability of a surgeon as head of the team in the operating
room

3. Force Majeure - Act of God; fortuitous event

MALPRACTICE - any professional misconduct

- unreasonable lack of skill
- objectionable practice
- practice contrary to established rules

 IF PROVEN
1. Criminal liability
2. Damages
3. Ground for suspension or revocation of license

PROFESSIONAL ADJUSTMENT
BIOETHICS - is the study of human conduct in the area of the life sciences and
health care using moral values and principles.

PRINCIPLES IN BIOETHICS
1. BENEFICENCE- means to do good and not to do harm.
2. NON- MALEFICENCE- one ought not to inflict evil or harm.
3. AUTONOMY- means self-determination
4. JUSTICE- refers to the obligation to be fair to other people.
Types of justice:
a. Distributive Justice- fair, equitable and appropriate distribution.
b. Criminal Justice- just infliction of punishment or penalty.
c. Rectificatory Justice- just compensation under civil laws.
5. STEWARDSHIP- not harm our body because it is God’s not ours.
6. TOTALITY- body should function as a whole
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7. FIDELITY- refers to the obligation to be faithful to the agreements,
commitments and responsibilities that one has made to oneself and others
8. VERACITY- refers to telling the truth or not intentionally deceiving or misleading
patients
9. RESPECT- treat all individuals as persons with rights with or without
abnormality.
10. SHARING OR ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES- applies when resources are
scanty or very limited

STEWARDSHIP- not harm our body because it is God’s not ours

NON- MALEFICENCE- one ought not to inflict evil or harm.

BENEFICENCE- means to do good and not to do harm.

AUTONOMY- means self-determination

VERACITY- refers to telling the truth or not intentionally deceiving or misleading

patients

FIDELITY- refers to the obligation to be faithful to the agreements, commitments

and responsibilities that one has made to oneself and others

JUSTICE- refers to the obligation to be fair to other people.

SHARING OR ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES- applies when resources are scanty

or very limited

TOTALITY- body should function as a whole

RESPECT- treat all individuals as persons with rights with or without abnormality.

PATIENT’S BILL OF RIGHTS

1. Right to considerate and respectful care
- nurse avoids discriminating acts that tends to bring the appearance of
favoritism
- “ tender loving care attitude”
2. Right to information about diagnosis, treatment and prognosis
3. Right to informed consent
- refers to the capacity of the patient to accept or refuse treatment
options offered by the health care provider.
Elements:
 Voluntariness
 Information
 Capacity
4. Right to an advance care directive
5. Right to Privacy
6. Right to confidentiality - all records and communications held in confidence
When to divulge information:
 1. patient placed in serious danger
 2. public welfare
 3. legal proceeding
7. Right to go over records
8. Right to services and to transfer - referrals
9. Right to know relationship with other health care and educational
institutions
10. Right not to be subjects of research or experimentation
11. Right to expect reasonable continuity of care - follow up consultations
12. Right to examine and receive an explanation of his bill, Right to know
what hospital rules and regulations apply to his conduct as a patient
PATIENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Providing information
2. Complying with instructions
3. Informing the physician of refusal to treatment
4. Paying hospital charges
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5. Following hospital rules and regulations
6. Showing respect and consideration
BOARD RESOLUTION # 220 - CODE OF ETHICS FOR REGISTERED
NURSES
FOUR BASIC ETHICAL PRINCIPLES:
1. Fundamental responsibility of the nurse is four fold
2. Nurse renders service regardless of race, creed, nationality or political
belief.
3. Nurse protects life and respects the dignity of man.
4. Nurse works in collaboration with members of the health team
REGISTERED NURSES AND PEOPLE
 Ethical Principles:
1.Values, customs and spiritual beliefs shall be respected
2.Individual freedom to make decisions
3.Personal information acquired must be held in confidence
 GUIDELINES TO BE OBSERVED:
a.individuality and totality of patients
b.respect
c.uphold the rights of individuals
d.take into consideration culture and values
– in the event of conflict, welfare and safety take
precedence
REGISTERED NURSES AND PRACTICE
 Ethical Principles:
a.Human life is inviolable
b.Quality and excellence in the care of patients
c.Accurate documentation- nursing accountability
 GUIDELINES TO BE OBSERVED:
a.know the definition and scope of nursing practice
b.be aware of duties and responsibilities
c.acquire and develop competence in knowledge, skills and attitude
d.optimum standard of safe nursing practice
e.be morally and legally responsible
f.patient’s records considered confidential
REGISTERED NURSES AND CO-WORKERS
 Ethical Principles:
1.work in solidarity with other members of the health team
2.maintains collegial and collaborative working relationships
 Guidelines to be observed:
a.maintain professional identity
b.conform with group activities
c.contribute to professional growth
d.actively participate in prof organizations
e.respect rights of co-workers
REGISTERED NURSES, SOCIETY AND ENVIRONMENT
 Ethical Principles:
1.preservation of life, respect for human rights and promotion of a healthy
environment
2.establishment of linkages
 Guidelines to be observed:
a.be conscious of obligations as citizens
b.equipped with knowledge of health resources within the community
c.actively participate in programs, projects and activities
d.right conduct and proper decorum
e.project image that will uplift nursing profession
REGISTERED NURSES AND THE PROFESSION
 Ethical Principles:
1.maintain loyalty
2.compliance with by laws of accredited prof organizations
3.commitment to continual learning
4.contribute to the improvement of the socio- economic conditions and
welfare of nurses
 Guidelines to be observed:
a.be members of Accredited Prof Organizations (PNA)
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b.strictly adhere to nursing standards
c.strive to secure equitable working conditions through appropriate
legislation and other means

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