The doctrine that holds the hospital responsible as well as the nurse

The doctrine that holds the hospital responsible as well as the nurse in cases of professional malpractice is which of the following?

1. Contractual relationship
2. Stare decisis
3. Respondeat superior
4. Res ipsa loquitur

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: A contractual relationship is not a doctrine; it is what the nurse and hospital, for example, enter when the hospital hires the nurse as an employee.
Rationale 2: “To stand by things decided,” or stare decisis, is the same thing as following precedent, or applying the same rules to a situation as were applied in similar situations.
Rationale 3: “Let the master answer,” or respondeat superior, means that the master (in this case the hospital/employer) assumes responsibility for the conduct of the servant (the nurse) and can be held responsible for the nurse’s failure to act in a competent way.
Rationale 4: “The thing speaks for itself,” or res ipsa loquitur, is a doctrine in cases where harm occurs but cannot be traced to a specific health care provider or standard.