Applying ethical principles to veterinary nursing

Question 1

Define ETHICS

Answer 1

The moral principles that govern a person’s behaviour on the conducting of an activity. Aims to distinguish right from wrong

Question 2

What are the important different types of ethics?

Answer 2

1. Non normative ethics
2. Normative ethics
3. Applied ethics

Question 3

What are some examples of ethical theories?

Answer 3

1. Consequentialism - results based ethics, the morally right action is the one that benefits the most people. The end justifies the means - for the greater good
2. Non-consequentialism - puts emphasis on the action itself, not the end result. The end does not justify the means

Question 4

Define NON-NORMATIVE ethics

Answer 4

Looks at what factually is or was, with no opinion on them. Descriptive - aims to just identify, describe and report beliefs and/or practices

Question 5

Define NORMATIVE ETHICS

Answer 5

Looks at what should or ought to be

Question 6

Define APPLIED ETHICS

Answer 6

Attempts to apply ethical theories such as utilitarianism or deontology to real world situations such as legal, business, environmental or medical ethics

Question 7

Define UTILITARIANISM

Answer 7

A consequentialist theory, Based on the utility principle. You must choose the action which will have the greatest good for the greatest number of people e.g. the trolley problem

Question 8

Define DEONTOLOGY

Answer 8

AKA duty ethics.
The idea of doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do. It focuses on the rightness or wrongness of the actions themselves, as opposed to the rightness or wrongness of the consequences of those actions.

Question 9

Define VIRTUE ETHICS

Answer 9

Emphasises the goodness of an action and the person performing it. Someone following virtue ethics will attempt to do what a virtuous person would do in that situation

Question 10

Define CODIFIED ETHICS

Answer 10

The ethical principles, standards and norms written in law or codes. Such ethics are written down and accepted and followed by a group as a whole

Question 11

Define MEDICAL ETHICS

Answer 11

The discipline of evaluating the merits, risks and social concerns of activities in the field of medicine. Medical ethics shares values with nursing ethics and other healthcare ethics.

Question 12

What are the four principles of medical ethics?

Answer 12

1. Beneficence
2. Non-maleficence
3. Autonomy
4. Justice

Also often included are dignity and honesty

Question 13

Define BENEFICENCE

Answer 13

Being generous or doing good. Acting in the best interests of a patient

Question 14

Define NON-MALIFICENCE

Answer 14

Acting without malice or ill-intent. Not actively harming patients.

Question 15

Define AUTONOMY

Answer 15

In this context it is the right to refuse treatment - this is placed on owners of the animals.

Question 16

Define JUSTICE

Answer 16

Just behaviour and/or treatment. Involves treating all clients the same, with no preferential treatment.

Question 17

Define DIGNITY

Answer 17

The state or quality of being worthy of respect/honour. Both the patient and the person treating them deserve dignity.

Question 18

Give an example of codified ethics

Answer 18

The RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses

Question 19

What are some common ethical issues identified in veterinary practice?

Answer 19

• Financial issues that can alter or stop a treatment plan
• Clients wishing to continue treatment
• Clients wanting to euthanise a healthy animal

Question 20

What 4 steps must be followed when analysing ethical issues?

Answer 20

1. Identify the possible course of action - these may be treatment, no treatment, euthanasia
2. Consider all parties involved - may include the owner, the patient, the VS and RVN/SVN
3. Formulate an ethical decision - subconsciously choosing an ethical school of thought
4. Maximise the impact of that decision - try to reduce the negative effects on parties involved

Question 21

Give some examples of possible ethical challenges in veterinary practice?

Answer 21

• spaying of pregnant animals
• not neutering sexually mature animals and allowing breeding and potentially then in breeding
• elderly animals that owners want to continue treating (and not PTS)

The interests of the animal should remain the most important factor.

Question 22

What is important to remember about ethical decisions that occur in practice?

Answer 22

There will be reasonings and justifications for most actions, on both sides. It is important to consider them all, even if you do not agree with them

Question 23

What is reflective practice?

Answer 23

Involves the thinking about a situation, and our own thoughts and actions in order to learn from it

Question 24

What is Boud’s triangular representation?

Answer 24

Involves Experience, Reflection and Learning in a triangle - indicates how reflection leads to further learning.

Question 25

What is Gibb’s reflective cycle?

Answer 25

Another reflective model that builds on Boud’s triangular model. Includes:
Description
Feelings
Evaluation
Analysis
Conclusion
Action Plan

Question 26

What is the nursing process (APIE)?

Answer 26

Another reflective model, this time more relevant to nursing. Linked heavily to nursing care plans, and helps to reflect on whether the medical and holistic needs of the patient have been met.
A - assessment
(D) - diagnosis (sometimes not included)
P - planning
I - implementation
E - evaluation

Question 27

What is Kolb’s experimental learning cycle?

Answer 27

Another reflective model that has 4 stages:
1. Concrete experience
2. Reflective observation
3. Abstract conceptualism
4. Active experimentation

Question 28

Give some examples of models of reflective practice?

Answer 28

• Boud’s triangular representation
• Gibb’s reflective cycle
• APIE (the nursing process)
• Kolb’s experimental learning cycle