13: Ethical Principles Flashcards
Branch of philosophy concerned with “doing good” and “right action.”
Ethics
The ethical principle that deals with do no harm.
Nonmaleficence
The ethical principle that deals with self-determination.
Respect for Autonomy
Self-rule. Patient’s right to determine what is best for them.
Autonomy
What are the 7 ethical principles?
- Respect for autonomy (self-determination)
- Nonmaleficence (do no harm)
- Beneficence (act in the best interest)
- Justice (fairness)
- Veracity (truthfulness)
- Confidentiality
- Fidelity (promise keeping, loyalty)
What is the 5-step process for ethical decision making?
- Recognize an ethical dilemma exists. (How do you know?)
- Analyze available clinical information.
- Develop a moral point of view that can be articulated/explained.
- Understand that dilemma can be approached from a variety of viewpoints.
- Move toward responsible, collaborative action through communication and understanding.
The ethical principle that deals with promise keeping and loyalty.
Fidelity
Maximal benefits with minimal harm.
Nonmaleficence
The absence of preventative ethics contributes to nursing _____.
Burnout
Truthfulness in support of patient autonomy.
Veracity
What are some resources for ethical dilemmas (4)?
- Law or ethical standard governing the situation?
- Scope of practice
- Guidance from BON on similar situations
- Look to privacy and confidentiality rules defined by federal and state laws and practice and policy guidelines
Knowing what is right for the patient is the most important thing with this principle.
Beneficence
The ethical principle that deals with fairness.
Justice
Ethics or morals?
Professional guidelines.
Ethics
No undue burden on people.
Justice and Fidelity
There must be a faithfulness to professional commitments, even if there are conflicts about allocation of resources.
Justice and Fidelity
T/F Autonomy involves advocating for what a person might want if not ill.
True
What is preventative ethics?
Integration of ethics into daily practice through ethics rounds or opportunities for reflection. Provides an opportunity to prevent an ethical dilemma from becoming a crisis.
Fairness, both to individuals and in allocating resources.
Justice and Fidelity
What is the foundation of ethics?
Relationships with patients and families.
Ethics or morals?
Tends to be associated with values or habits that reflect our behavior.
Morals
Goal of nursing and medicine.
Beneficence
What 6 actions can help with ethics at the end of life?
- Maintain the patient relationship.
- Advocate for the patient.
- Alleviate pain.
- Ensure optimal quality of life.
- Provide family-centered care.
- Know how to deal with hope.
With this principle, you must be careful to avoid paternalism.
Beneficence
Ethics or morals?
Personal beliefs and experiences.
Ethics
The ethical principle that deals with acting in the best interest of the patient.
Beneficence
Obligation to tell the truth.
Veracity
Ethics or morals?
Societal norms.
Ethics
Ethics or morals?
Organizational standards.
Ethics
Potential for conflict with principle of autonomy.
Beneficence
The ethical principle that deals with truthfulness and honesty.
Veracity
Ethics or morals?
Religious beliefs.
Morals
Ability to act on one’s own choices.
Autonomy
T/F In the ethical framework, the particulars of a situation are less important than adherence to principles.
True AND false. True in the principle orientation to ethical decision making framework. False in the relational or care-based approach to ethical decision making framework. Trend now is to reconcile both ethical traditions.
Do no intentional harm or needless harm.
Nonmaleficence
In order to accomplish _____ one must possess the professional competence that allows you to foresee consequences and perform actions.
Nonmaleficence
Ethics or morals?
Tends to be associated with critical reflection on our values.
Ethics
Promotion of a patient’s good.
Beneficence
T/F The ANA has a code of ethics for nurses.
True. Guides us to respect persons, help maintain patient’s autonomy, promote patient’s dignity, and ensure patient’s safety.
