What is considered malpractice in nursing?

Malpractice in nursing is primarily characterized by negligence on the part of a professional person. This means that a nurse fails to provide the standard of care that a competent nurse would provide in similar circumstances, which can lead to harm or injury to a patient. For instance, if a nurse overlooks critical symptoms due to a lack of attention or fails to monitor a patient's condition adequately, this could be classified as malpractice. The concept hinges on the idea of a breach of duty, where a professional is expected to act in a manner consistent with their training and the accepted standards of their profession.

While the other options reflect actions that could be seen as poor practice or errors, they do not specifically capture the legal definition of malpractice. Improper documentation, failing to follow procedures, and providing treatment outside one's expertise can certainly lead to errors or patient harm, but malpractice specifically requires that there is a professional duty and a breach of that duty that results in injury.