Final answer:
Failure by a registered nurse to follow a standard of care is an example of malpractice, which is negligence by a professional.
Step-by-step explanation:
Failure by a registered nurse to follow a standard of care is an example of b) Malpractice, which refers to negligence by a professional. Malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider deviates from the standards of their profession, causing harm to a patient. This can include errors in treatment, diagnosis, aftercare, or health management. Standards of care are the practices and procedures that respectable practitioners would use in a similar situation. In comparison, a tort is a broader category that includes any civil wrongdoing causing harm or loss, while liability refers to the legal responsibility for one's actions. Misconduct entails inappropriate or unethical professional behavior, but does not necessarily involve negligence or breach of a standard of care.