Which term refers to conduct that falls below the standards established by the law?

• A. Negligence
• B. Libel
• C. Malpractice
• D. Liability

Answer: (A)

Negligence is conduct that falls below the standard of care established by law. It means failing to act as a reasonably prudent person would in similar circumstances, and that failure must lead to harm. In healthcare, this shows up when a nurse or other professional does not meet accepted standards of care and a patient is injured as a result. The concept rests on four elements: a duty to the patient, a breach of that duty, causation linking the breach to the injury, and damages or harm that result.

Libel refers to false statements written about someone that harm their reputation, not to a failure to meet legal standards of care. Malpractice is professional negligence—the specific kind of negligence that involves a professional’s failure to meet the standards of their profession. Liability is the legal responsibility for one’s acts or omissions, which can arise from negligent conduct but is the broader status of being legally responsible rather than a description of the conduct itself.