What are the two primary categories of law that govern nursing practice?

• A. Administrative and Criminal
• B. Civil and Administrative
• C. International and Federal
• D. Criminal and Civil

Answer: (D)

Two main streams of law shape nursing practice: civil law and criminal law. Civil law governs disputes between private parties and organizations. For nurses, the most common civil issue is negligence or malpractice—breaching the standard of care that results in patient harm. The typical remedy is monetary compensation to the harmed patient or other civil remedies. Criminal law, on the other hand, covers acts that are offenses against society. In nursing, this could include practicing without a valid license, patient abuse, or fraud, with penalties that can include fines, probation, or imprisonment. Administrative law exists as well, regulating licensure and professional conduct through licensing boards, but the question targets the two broad categories that most directly address liability in nursing: civil and criminal.