Theory, Research
and Evidence-Based
Practice
Ch 5
Glossary

Know the Key Terms at beginning of
chapter
Sources of Knowledge
— passed down from generation
to generation
 Authoritative — comes from an expert
 Scientific — arrived at through the scientific
method
 Traditional
Types of Knowledge
— knowledge in and of nursing
 Philosophy — the study of wisdom
 Process — conceptual frameworks and
theories
 Historical influences — Florence
Nightingale, societal changes
 Societal influences — schools of nursing
 Science
Framework of Nursing Theory
— group of concepts that describe a
pattern of reality
 Theory

Can be tested, changed, or used to guide
research
— abstract impressions
organized into symbols of reality
 Concepts

Conceptual framework or model
Types of Reasoning
reasoning — examines general
ideas and considers specific actions or
ideas
 Inductive reasoning — builds from specific
ideas or action to conclusions about general
ideas
 Deductive
Interdisciplinary Base for Nursing
Theories
systems theory — theory for
universal application
 Adaptation theory — adjustment of living
matter to other living things and
environment
 Developmental theory — orderly and
predictable growth and development
 General
Benefits of Nursing Theory
 Directs
nurses toward common goal
 Leads to improved patient care
 Provides rational and knowledgeable
reasons for nursing actions
Benefits of Nursing Theory
 Gives
nurses knowledge base necessary
for appropriate actions
 Helps resolve current nursing issues
 Prepares nurses to question assumptions
and values
 Serves research, education, and practice
Goal of Theoretical Frameworks
 Holistic
patient care
 Individualized care to meet needs of
patients
 Promotion of health
 Prevention or treatment of illness
Common Concepts in Nursing
Theories
 Person
(patient)
 Environment
 Health
 Nursing
Goals of Research
 Develop
explanations (in theories)
 Find solutions to problems
Methods of Nursing Research
 Quantitative

Involves concepts of basic and applied research
 Qualitative


Conducted to gain insight by discovering
meanings
Based on belief that reality is based on various
and differing perceptions
Protecting Rights of Research
Subjects
 Informed
consent
 Federal regulations
 Review boards
Legal Implications
Ch 7
Glossary

Know the Key Terms at beginning of
chapter
Definition of Law
 Standard
or rule of conduct established and
enforced by government

Designed to protect the rights of the public
Types of Laws
law — government is directly
involved
 Public

Regulates relationships between individuals and
government
 Private

law — civil law
Regulates relationships among people
law — concerns state and federal
criminal statutes
 Criminal

Defines criminal actions, e.g., murder, theft
Four Sources of Law
— serve as guides to
legislative bodies
 Statutes — enacted by a legislative body
 Administrative law — empowered by
executive officers
 Common law — judiciary systems
reconciles controversies, creates body of
common law
 Constitutions
Law Terminology
 Litigation
— process of bringing and trying a
lawsuit
 Plaintiff — person bring suit
 Defendant — person being accused of a
crime
Professional and Legal Regulation
of Nursing Practice
 Nurse
practice acts
 Standards
 Credentialing



Accreditation
Licensure
Certification
Reasons for Suspending or
Revoking a License
 Drug
or alcohol abuse
 Fraud, deceptive practice
 Criminal acts, previous disciplinary actions
 Gross or ordinary negligence
 Physical or mental impairments
Due Cause for Revoking a License
 Notice
of investigation
 Fair and impartial hearing
 Proper decision based on substantial
evidence
Nurse’s Best Defense of License
Investigation
 Early
legal counseling
 Character and expert witnesses
 Thorough preparation for all proceedings
Criminal Law
— wrong against a person or his or
her property as well as the public
 Crime


Misdemeanor — punishable by fines or less
than one year imprisonment
Felony — punishable by imprisonment for more
than one year
Criminal Law
— a wrong committed by a person
against another person or his or her
property
 Tort


Intentional
Unintentional - negligence
Intentional Torts
 Assault
and battery
 Defamation of character
 Invasion of privacy
 False imprisonment
 Fraud
Four Elements of Liability
 Duty
 Breach
of duty
 Causation
 Damages
Three Outcomes of Malpractice
Litigation
 All
parties work toward fair settlement.
 Case is presented to malpractice arbitration
panel.
 Case is brought to trial court.
Roles of Nurses in Legal
Proceedings
 Nurse
as defendant
 Nurse as fact witness
 Nurse as expert witness
Recommendations for Nurse
Defendant
 Do
not discuss the case with those involved
in it.
 Do not alter patient records.
 Cooperate fully with your attorney.
 Be courteous on witness stand.
 Do not volunteer any information.
Legal Safeguards for Nurses
 Informed
consent
 Contracts
 Collective bargaining
 Competent practice
 Patient education
 Documentation
Legal Safeguards for Nurses
(continued)
 Adequate
staffing
 Professional liability insurance
 Risk management programs
 Incident reports, JCAHO sentinel events
 Patient bill of rights
 Good Samaritan Laws
Safeguards to Competent Practice
 Respecting
legal boundaries of practice
 Following institutional procedures and
policies
 Owning personal strengths and
weaknesses
Safeguards to Competent Practice
 Evaluating
proposed assignments
 Keeping current
 Respecting patient rights and developing
rapport with patients
 Keeping careful documentation
 Working within agency for management
policies
Types of Risk Management
Programs
 Safety
program
 Products safety program
 Quality assurance programs
Information Contained in Incident
Reports
 Complete
name of person and names of
witnesses
 Factual account of incident
 Date, time and place of incident
Information Contained in Incident
Reports
 Pertinent
characteristics of person involved
 Any equipment or resources being used
 Any other important variables
 Documentation by physician of medical
examination of person involved
OSHA Legal Regulations
 Use
of electrical equipment
 Use of isolation techniques
 Use of radiation
 Use of chemicals
Glossary

Know Key Terms at beginning of Chapters
8, 9 & 10