The fourth edition of Legal & Ethical Issues in Nursing is the essential book that combines legal and ethical knowledge for students and practicing nurses under one cover. It reflects the continuing influence that the law, legal issues, and the field of ethics have on the professional practice of nursing. Readers familiar with earlier editions will recognize that much of the content in this text is new or updated to mirror changes in the practice of professional nursing. This edition also combines the field of ethics with legal issues, as these two aspects of professional nursing practice cannot truly be separated.