The newly revised Fifth Edition of this handbook is an up-to-the-minute, authoritative guide to the legal and ethical issues faced daily by nurses. Replete with real-life examples and information from hundreds of court cases, the book covers the full range of contemporary concerns, including computer documentation, cloning, stem cell research, pain management, euthanasia, prescribing, privacy, and confidentiality as well as the nursing shortage. New topics include workplace violence and harassment, needlesticks, telephone triage, and quality assurance.

Source of title; title from title screen (viewed Oct. 18, 2006).

Nursing practice and the law -- Working in diverse clinical settings -- Patients' rights -- Understanding malpractice liability -- Lawsuits and the legal process -- Legal risks on the job -- Legal aspects of documentation -- Legal risks while off duty -- Nurses' rights as employees -- Ethical decision making -- Ethical conflicts in clinical practice.