Federal Nursing Home Administrator Practice Exam

What is the definition of slander?

1. A legal term for written defamation

2. Verbal defamation that harms someone's reputation

3. Any form of miscommunication

4. The act of making false claims about a product

The correct answer is: Verbal defamation that harms someone's reputation

The definition of slander is specifically verbal defamation that harms someone's reputation. This occurs when an individual makes false spoken statements about another person that can damage that person's standing in the community, career, or personal relationships. The key aspect of slander is that it involves spoken words; unlike libel, which refers to written defamation, slander does not involve permanent forms of communication. Understanding slander is crucial in various professional contexts, such as nursing home administration, where reputation can significantly impact a facility's operations and relationships with residents, families, and the public. Knowledge of this concept helps administrators navigate the complexities of communication effectively and legally. The other choices reference aspects of defamation or miscommunication but do not accurately encompass the specific meaning of slander. For instance, written defamation is defined as libel, while a general miscommunication does not necessarily involve defamatory content, and false claims about products pertain more to advertising and consumer protection laws rather than personal reputation.