Which term refers to a nurse's failure to competently perform their duties resulting in patient harm?

The term that best describes a nurse's failure to competently perform their duties resulting in patient harm is malpractice. Malpractice specifically refers to professional negligence where a healthcare provider fails to provide the standard of care expected in their profession, leading to injury or harm to a patient. It encompasses the broader concept of negligence but includes elements of professional accountability, indicating that the nurse had a duty to act in a manner consistent with accepted standards, breached that duty, and caused injury as a result.

In this context, while negligence is a general term for the failure to exercise appropriate care, it does not inherently imply a professional context. Insubordination refers to a failure to follow directives or orders and doesn't pertain to patient care standards. A clinical error might indicate a mistake made during clinical practice, but it doesn't necessarily encapsulate the professional duty and breach of care that characterizes malpractice.