Which statement best defines deliberate indifference?

• A. A minor mistake in judgment.
• B. Taking reasonable steps to provide care.
• C. Someone does something or fails to do something which results in failure to provide adequate care.
• D. A legal doctrine requiring intent.

Answer: (C)

Deliberate indifference means recognizing a serious medical need or risk to an inmate and consciously disregarding that risk by failing to provide adequate care or by taking steps that worsen the situation. The best statement here describes a person taking action or failing to act in a way that results in inadequate care. That captures the essential idea: a knowledge of risk plus a disregard for the inmate’s welfare leads to inadequate treatment, not just a minor mistake or average judgment. It’s not simply about making a reasonable effort to help, and it doesn’t require intent to harm; the key is the conscious disregard of a known risk to health or safety.