Bioethics

Question 1

What is autonomy in healthcare?

Answer 1

Everyone has the right to make their own choices

Basis for the practice of informed consent

Question 2

What conditions must be met for informed consent?

Answer 2

Person is of sound mind, they speak the same language or interpreter is communicating, documentation, understand the risks, what is being done, options, not being coerced, age

These conditions ensure that the patient is capable of making informed decisions.

Question 3

What is beneficence?

Answer 3

Health care providers have a duty to ‘do good’ and prevent harm

Example: Providing interventions for a headache when a patient is not forthcoming about their pain.

Question 4

Provide an example of beneficence.

Answer 4

A nurse questions a patient further and provides interventions for headache despite the patient claiming they are fine.

This demonstrates going out of your way to do good for the patient.

Question 5

What does nonmaleficence mean?

Answer 5

Patients have a right to no harm. Requires that nurses avoid causing harm to patients

Example: Preventing a patient from taking a harmful medication.

Question 6

What is the difference between beneficence and nonmaleficence?

Answer 6

Beneficence is performing a deed that benefits someone, while nonmaleficence means refraining from doing something that harms or injures someone.

Question 7

What does justice in healthcare refer to?

Answer 7

Everyone deserves resources, and there must be a fair system of allocating resources

This includes considerations of background, gender, race, etc.

Question 8

Provide an example of justice in healthcare.

Answer 8

Emergency triage is determined solely by acuity level with the goal of saving lives, regardless of money or fame.

This ensures equitable treatment in critical situations.