1113 Exam Flashcards
Explain the relationship between law and ethics
Law must be followed by nurses and midwives, with consequences if not. Ethics is what is considered morally right or wrong by an individual or society
Explain the fundamental aspects of the Australian Legal system
- Generated and influenced by the history and values of society
- Regulates peoples actions and apply sanctions for those who do not
Identify the key features of the Australian Law
- Legalisation (parliamentary law)
- Common Law (Judge made law)
Define legalisation (parliamentary law)
Passed at a state and federal level, by parliament as acts or statutes. (Primary source of law) e.g.. Mental Health Act 2014
Define an ACT
Elected by the people and passed by parliament e.g.. Mental Health Act 2014
Define common law (judge made law)
Judges decide on cases brought to the court and develop common law principles called precedents
Distinguish between where you would use Legalisation over Common Law
Common law applies when there is no specific statutory law according to the application of Doctrine of Precedent
Define the Doctrine of Precedent
“Like cases are treated similarly” Outcomes from similar cases in the past are applied
Define the Adversarial system
Where disputes are resolved in court only. Both parties present their case, and the outcome is decided by the judge/judge and jury purely based on the information provided
Define the Inquisitorial system
Where the court is able to gain additional information externally outside of the court as part of coming to a decision. eg. Coroner’s Court
Define bioethics
The study of ethical/moral dilemmas in the medical environment eg. organ donation
Define the deontology theory
Where ‘duty/obligation’ is the basis of all moral action. Concerned with the rightness/wrongness of all actions e.g.. stealing food
Define the teleology theory
Concerned with the rightness/wrongness of the consequences of actions. Actions/motives are not considered wrong. eg. Poor person stealing food for their family would be considered right
Define Virtue Ethics (theory)
Concerned with the role of an individual and their specific characteristics which inform their actions e.g.. nurse’s empathy
Identify the 4 ethical principles
Autonomy
Beneficence
Non-maleficence
Justice
Define autonomy
Autonomy is concerned with the rights of people to have an opinion and a choice with decisions that concern them
Define beneficence
“Above all do good” eg. providing appropriate intervention ensuring that it will produce greater benefit than harm
Define non-maleficence
“Above all do no harm” eg. Avoiding unnecessary and and unreasonable harm in the process of treatment and management
Define justice
Concerned with fair and equitable distribution of resources and access to care
Define natural justice
Applies to all courts and tribunals to ensure that proceedings against a person are fair, impartial and without bias
Explain the importance of nursing documentation
- High quality documentation contributes to high quality care
- Communication of important information to other health professionals for coordinated care
- Patients can request access to medical records, therefore quality of your care will be provided to them
- Documentation is your only defence in a claim of negligence against you if things go wrong
Identify the 5 requirements of documentation
- Handwriting must be legible, dated, signed with designation
- Must contain specific, accurate and objective information
- Subjective information from family members etc. include statements, feelings expectations
- Must be contemporaneous (real time) reflecting the patients current state written as closely to occurrence as possible
- Must include everything done to/with the patient eg. assessments, care provided
Explain the purpose of the mental health legalisation
It promotes voluntary treatment over compulsory treatment and establishes robust safeguards and oversight mechanisms. Protects the rights, dignity and autonomy of people living with a mental illness
Outline what information the mental health legalisation includes
Outlines the purpose, provides definitions and the requirements under the Act, and stipulates how assessment should occur
Identify the (4) common features of a profession
- requires specific skills and training
- higher education
- ongoing education and training
- scope of practice
Define a regulated HCW
They are registered and require a licence/ongoing education to practice
Define a unregulated HCW
They are not registered and do not require a practicing licence
Identify the (4) functions of APHRA
- provides professional standards
- registration of HCW
- manage notifications (complaints)
- accreditation of graduating students
Identify the (4) functions of NMBA
- registration of nurses, midwives, N&M students
- development of standards and codes
- manage notifications and investigations
- assessment of internationally trained N & M
Define notifiable conduct
Is valid when a HCW has:
- worked under the influence (alcohol or drugs)
- engaged in sexual misconduct that is unlawful
- placed the public at risk of substantial harm
Outline the relationship between NMBA and the Health Complaints Commissioner
The relationship that exists is due to when a N or M breaches the code of conduct created by NMBA, this is classified as notifiable conduct and is passed on to the HCC
Identify the national code for nurses/midwives
Code of Conduct for Nurses (NMBA, 2018)
Identify the (4) actions that may give rise to disciplinary action of a HCW
- under involvement/negligence
- bullying/harassment
- breach of professional boundaries
- confidentiality/privacy
Explain the concept of mandatory reporting of child abuse
Any person who believes a child is in need of protection must report it. Evidence is not required, just reasonable grounds to believe
Identify the (4) types of child abuse that may be reported upon
- Neglect
- Abuse
- Emotional maltreatment
- Exposure to family violence`
Identify the three types of consent relevant for clinical practice
Verbal
Implied
Written
Define verbal consent
When a patient says yes or no
Define implied consent
When a patient holds out their arm when you ask to take their blood pressure
Define written consent
When a patient signs a consent form e.g. before surgery
Identify the four elements required for consent to be valid
- Freely and voluntarily given (no misinterpretation/pressure)
- Must cover procedure (Must gain consent for everything you do)
- Must be informed (patient must be aware of risks, benefits, side effects)
- Must have legal capacity (Must be of sounds mind and legally competent)
Identify three exceptions for when consent is not required
- Emergency treatment
- Parental authority is not absolute
- In necessity
Define emergency treatment (exception to consent rule)
Emergency treatment is conducted in order to save a patients life, prevent a patient from serious damage or prevent a patient from suffering in some way
Define ‘parental authority is not absolute’ (exception to consent rule)
When parental consent is not required (e.g. in lifesaving situations such as blood transfusion for a child)
Define necessity (exception to consent rule)
(Not in a clinical environment) e.g. touching someone to prevent them from being hit by a car)
Define assault
Acting with specific intent to cause harm. Can be as simple as instilling fear in a patient e.g. threatening to/pretending to hit a patient
Define battery
Acting upon the intent (Acting upon assault) such as touching/striking someone without their permission e.g. pushing/slapping a patient
Define false imprisonment
Unlawful, intentional and complete application of restraint restricting a patients freedom to move
Identify the three elements of false imprisonment
- Can be done without actually touching the patient
- Must be total (Patient has no means to move)
- Person must be unaware at the time that they are unable to move
Explain when it is okay to restrain a patient
- Specific to each hospital
- Specific guidelines on who can order restraints
- Must be ongoing review, planning and managing of the restraint order
Identify the two types of restraint
Physical : eg. isolated room
Chemical : eg. medication