incompetence

in·com·pe·tence (n-kmp-tns) or in·com·pe·ten·cy (-tn-s)

n.

1. The quality of being incompetent or incapable of performing a function, as the failure of the cardiac valves to close properly.

2. The condition of being not legally qualified, as to stand trial.

3. The inability to distinguish right from wrong or to manage one's affairs.

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incompetence

[inkom′pətəns]

Etymology: L, in, not, competentia, capable

1 lack of ability to function. Kinds of incompetence include aortic incompetence, ileocecal incompetence, and valvular incompetence. See also incompetency. incompetent, adj.

2 (in law) inability to function at a safe level or to provide care that is consistent with standards of practice.

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incompetence [in-kom´pĕ-tens]

1. inability to function properly.

2. the legal status of a person determined by the court to be unable to manage his own affairs.

3. insufficiency.

aortic incompetence aortic insufficiency.

mitral incompetence mitral insufficiency.

pulmonary incompetence pulmonary insufficiency.

tricuspid incompetence tricuspid insufficiency.

valvular incompetence valvular insufficiency.

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incompetence

1. inability to function properly.

2. the legal term used in a suit charging that loss of an animal occurred because a veterinarian had a level of competence below that which could reasonably be expected. See also negligence.

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incompetence

Incompetency Cardiology See Chronotropic incompetence Forensic medicine The inability of a physician or health care provider to perform his/her duties; a physician may be referred to as incompetent; the euphemistic/'politically correct' adjective 'impaired' is increasingly preferred. See Impairment, Incapacity Gynecology See Cervical incompetence Medtalk The inability to perform a task or function, defined in terms of organ dysfunction; this use of incompetence is waning in popularity, and being replaced by insufficiency, as in cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, or other insufficiency or failure Exceptions Incompetence or competence of valves–eg, cardiac or ileocecal or of the cervical os. See Cervical incompetence, Chronotropic incompetence Psychiatry The lack of capacity to legally consent or to contract–ie, the inability to appropriately exercise free will, as in Alzheimer's disease; incompetence in a legal framework requires a formal declaration that a person is incompetent to make his/her own decisions, and appointment of a surrogate decision-maker to be the person's 'advocate.'. See Competency to stand criminal trial, Incompetent, Informed consent, Testamentary capacity.