Causation in malpractice refers to the relationship between what two elements?

• A. The nurse's intent
• B. The link between breach of duty and patient harm
• C. The amount of damages awarded
• D. The location of the incident

Answer: (B)

Causation in malpractice means the link between the nurse’s failure to meet the standard of care (the breach) and the patient’s injury. It asks whether the harm occurred as a result of that negligent act. Intent is not required here—the issue is whether the breach caused the injury, not whether there was intent to cause harm. The location of the incident doesn’t matter, and the amount of damages is a separate element that comes into play after causation is established. In practice, the harm must be a foreseeable consequence of the breach, showing a direct, causal connection between what the nurse did or didn’t do and the patient’s injury.