Final answer:
Nursing codes are guidelines for professional conduct that are not legally binding like laws but can be considered in legal proceedings, making them legally binding in some circumstances.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nursing codes, such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics, are guidelines that influence the professional conduct of nurses. While they are not legally binding in the same sense as laws, they are a central part of nursing professionalism and ethics. Situations may arise where these codes are considered in legal proceedings despite not being law; for example, a nurse's adherence or non-adherence to these codes can be evaluated in court when determining if the nurse acted within the accepted standards of practice. However, it is important to note that they are not law and thus are not legally binding in the same way that statutes or regulations are. The most fitting answer to the question is 3) Legally binding in some circumstances.