Which statement best describes negligence in nursing practice?

Negligence in nursing practice is characterized primarily by a failure to provide the standard of care that a reasonably competent nurse would deliver, which often leads to harm or injury to the patient. This concept encompasses acts of omission or commission that result in a patient's injury due to carelessness.

In this context, the selected statement emphasizes that negligence involves a level of carelessness, which can manifest in various ways such as not monitoring a patient adequately, failing to administer medication in a timely fashion, or ignoring critical changes in a patient's condition. These actions—or lack thereof—can lead to significant harm, validating the essence of negligence as it pertains to nursing.

The other statements describe positive aspects of nursing practice, such as adherence to patient wishes, quick responses to emergencies, and following established protocols. While these behaviors are essential for effective and safe nursing practice, they do not capture the essence of negligence. Instead, they highlight the proactive and responsible actions that nurses should embody, contrasting sharply with the fundamental nature of negligence, which is rooted in a lack of action or inadequate care.