Standards of care are the benchmark that determine whether professional obligations to a patient have been met. Standards of care are identified in federal and state statutes and regulations, policies and guidelines from professional organizations, accreditation standards, and regulatory statements. Provide a scenario for either a civil or criminal case in which care, skill, or treatment to a patient did not meet expected standards of care. What standards of care were violated that regulate APN/APRN practice, and what methods could be applied to minimize moral distress for the nurse?
