Florida Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Practice Exam

The act of writing a note that damages someone's reputation is known as libel. Libel specifically refers to defamatory statements that are made in a written or printed form. In this context, the nursing assistant's action of documenting harmful information about someone in writing constitutes libel because it can be perceived as a false assertion presented as fact that can injure the person's reputation.

Understanding libel is important for nursing assistants, as they must adhere to confidentiality and privacy regulations in their documentation and interactions with others. When they fail to maintain these standards, they could engage in behaviors that not only harm another's reputation but could also have legal repercussions. This highlights the necessity for nursing professionals to communicate truths responsibly and thoughtfully, particularly in written forms such as patient records or notes.