5.1 Introduction
Learning Objectives
- Explore the nurse’s role and legal and ethical responsibilities when providing care to clients with mental health disorders
- Describe standards of care for nurses
- Discuss the elements of a malpractice lawsuit
- Explain patient rights based on the Patient Self-Determination Act
The Code of Ethics for Nurses With Interpretive Statements states, “The nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of the patient.”[1] This chapter describes nurses’ legal and ethical responsibilities while protecting the safety and rights of clients receiving mental health care.
- American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. American Nurses Association. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/ethics/code-of-ethics-for-nurses/coe-view-only/ ↵
