Which term means legally responsible?

Which term means legally responsible?

• A. Deposition
• B. Abandonment
• C. Liable
• D. Malpractice

Answer: (C)

Liable refers to being legally responsible for something, such as damages or injuries caused by one's actions or omissions. In nursing, liability arises when the standard of care is breached and harm results, making the nurse subject to legal responsibility in a civil case. The other terms describe a process or a type of act rather than the state of responsibility: a deposition is sworn testimony; abandonment is leaving a patient without necessary care (which can lead to liability, but is a specific act); malpractice is professional negligence—the failure to meet the expected standard of care. So, liable is the term that means legally responsible.

Liable refers to being legally responsible for something, such as damages or injuries caused by one's actions or omissions. In nursing, liability arises when the standard of care is breached and harm results, making the nurse subject to legal responsibility in a civil case. The other terms describe a process or a type of act rather than the state of responsibility: a deposition is sworn testimony; abandonment is leaving a patient without necessary care (which can lead to liability, but is a specific act); malpractice is professional negligence—the failure to meet the expected standard of care. So, liable is the term that means legally responsible.