Causation in negligence requires what relationship between the nurse’s failure and the harm?

• A. Harm Occurred Regardless of the Failure
• B. The Harm Occurred as a Direct Result of the Failure
• C. The Patient Had Other Causes
• D. There Was No Breach of Standard

Answer: (B)

Causation in negligence means there must be a direct link between the nurse’s failure to meet the standard of care and the injury that results. The harm has to occur because of the breach—the injury would not have happened without the failure (the but-for test). For example, if a nurse withholds a needed medication and the patient then worsens as a direct result, that shows causation. If the patient’s condition would have deteriorated anyway due to another issue, the breach didn’t cause the injury. So the essential relationship is that the harm occurs as a direct result of the nurse’s failure.