In negligence, which is an element indicating a failure to meet the standard of care?

• A. Damages
• B. Breach of Duty
• C. Duty to Act
• D. Proximal Cause

Answer: (B)

Breach of Duty is the element that shows a failure to meet the standard of care. The standard of care is what a reasonably prudent person would do in similar circumstances, including the expected actions and precautions within the responder’s training and protocol. When a caregiver’s actions fall short of that level—such as misassessing a patient, delaying treatment, or using improper technique—it constitutes a breach. Damages are the harm that results, duty is the obligation to act, and proximate cause links the breach to the damages. So the breach of duty best demonstrates a failure to meet the standard of care.