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Correct Answer: harmful touching of a patient
acts of negligence in healthcare typically refer to unintentional failures or omissions that breach the standard of care expected of medical professionals, resulting in harm to a patient. the question lists several scenarios, asking which one does not belong in the category of negligence. let's break down each option:
harmful touching of a patient - this is not an act of negligence, but rather an act of battery. battery in the medical context involves intentional wrongful physical contact with a patient without their consent. this could include any unwanted touching, hitting, or other physical interaction that the patient has not agreed to. because battery is an intentional act, it differs fundamentally from negligence, which is inherently unintentional.
administration of the wrong medication - this is a classic example of negligence. administering the wrong medication occurs when a healthcare provider mistakenly gives a patient a drug different from the one prescribed or medically indicated. this error can occur due to various factors such as miscommunication, poor labeling, or confusion over similar-sounding medication names. since this action is unintentional and breaches the duty of care owed to the patient, it qualifies as negligence.
incorrect performance of care - this situation involves performing medical procedures or treatments incorrectly. examples might include surgical errors, incorrect application of techniques, or failure to use equipment properly. these actions typically result from a lack of skill, knowledge, or attention but are not done with deliberate intent to harm, making them acts of negligence.
omitting steps in patient care - negligence can also manifest as omissions, where necessary steps in a patient’s care protocol are skipped or forgotten. this might include failing to administer a necessary medication, not conducting required tests, or neglecting to follow-up on a patient's condition. these omissions can lead to worsening of the patient's condition and are considered negligent because they fall below the standard of care expected.
in conclusion, among the options provided, "harmful touching of a patient" is the only one that does not fall under acts of negligence, as it is an intentional act classified as battery. the other options all represent different forms of medical negligence, which involve breaches of duty that occur without intent to harm.
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