The doctor heard a staff nurse saying "That doctor is incompetent".

The doctor heard a staff nurse saying "That doctor is incompetent".

The doctor can file a complaint against the staff nurse for:
A . Libel
B . Assault
C . Slander
D . Malpractice

View Answer

Answer: C

Explanation:

The situation described is one where a verbal statement is made that can harm a doctor’s reputation.

This is best described as slander.

Libel: Libel refers to written defamation, not spoken.

Assault: Assault involves a threat or attempt to physically harm someone, which is not relevant here.

Slander: Slander refers to spoken defamation. The nurse’s verbal statement about the doctor’s competence falls under this category.

Malpractice: Malpractice involves professional negligence that causes harm to a patient, not defamation.

Reference: American Nurses Association (ANA): Code of Ethics for Nurses Legal Aspects of Nursing: Documentation, Confidentiality, and Defamation