Basic Terms in Health Ethics

Question 1

Ethics

Answer 1

study of what is right and wrong in our conduct. It concerns

our obligations to individuals, groups and society.

Question 2

Morals

Answer 2

judgment about behavior, based on specific beliefs, and

ethics refers to the study of the ideals of right and wrong behaviour

Question 3

Values

Answer 3

deeply held personal belief about the worth a person holds for an idea, a
custom, or an object. The values that a person holds reflect cultural and
social influences. For example, a person who makes a living in a rural
place may value the environment differently than someone who visits
rural areas for recreation. Ethical codes grow from shared values,
negotiated and discussed over time through religious groups, ethnic
groups, or work groups.

Question 4

Autonomy

Answer 4

freedom from external control. Respect for patient autonomy refers to the commitment to include
patients in decisions about all aspects of care. In many cases (e.g., surgery and diagnostic procedures), the
consent of a patient is documented by the patient’s signature. Another way nurses show respect for patient autonomy is by explaining
nursing procedures such as obtaining a blood pressure or administering
medications. Nurses also demonstrate respect for patient autonomy by
supporting patients who raise questions about procedures and by
ensuring that they get the information they request

Question 5

Beneficence

Answer 5

Beneficence refers to taking positive actions to help others. The concept of beneficence is fundamental to the practice of nursing
and medicine. The agreement to act with beneficence implies that the best
interests of the patient remain more important than self-interest. It implies
that nurses practice primarily as a service to others, even in the details of
daily work.

Question 6

Nonmaleficence

Answer 6

Maleficence refers to harm or hurt. Nonmaleficence refers to the
avoidance of harm or hurt.

Question 7

Justice

Answer 7

Justice refers to fairness and the distribution of resources (Klugman, 2017).
The term is most often used in discussions about access to health care,
including the just distribution of scarce services and resources. Discussions
about health insurance, hospital locations and services, and organ
transplants generally are among the issues that cite the concept of justice.

Question 8

Fidelity

Answer 8

Fidelity refers to faithfulness or the agreement to keep promises (Doherty
and Purtilo, 2016). As a nurse you have a duty to be faithful to the patients
you care for, to the institution you work for, and to yourself. If you assess
a patient for pain and offer a plan to manage the pain, the standard of
fidelity encourages you to initiate the interventions in the plan as soon as
possible and to monitor the patient’s response to the plan.