Chapter 3

Question 1

What is Ethics?

Answer 1

A branch of philosophy that deals with distinguishing right from wrong

Question 2

What is Bioethics?

Answer 2

A term applied to ethics when they refer to concepts within the scope of medicine, nursing, and allied health

Question 3

What is Moral Behavior?

Answer 3

Conduct that results from serious critical thinking about how individuals should treat others

Question 4

What are values?

Answer 4

Personal beliefs about what is important and desirable

Question 5

What is value clarification?

Answer 5

A process of self-exploration by which people identify and rank their own personal values

Question 6

What is right?

Answer 6

A valid, legally recognized claim or entitlement, encompassing both freedom from government intererence or discriminatory tx and entitlement to a benefit or service.

Question 7

What is absolute right?

Answer 7

When there is no restriction whatsoever on the individual’s entitlement

Question 8

What is a Legal right?

Answer 8

A right in which society has agreed and formalized into law

Question 9

What is utilitarianism?

Answer 9

An ethical theory that promotes action based on the end result that produces the most good (happiness) for the most people

Question 10

What is Kantianism?

Answer 10

A theory that suggests that decisions and actions are bound by a sense of duty

Question 11

Christian Ethics

Answer 11

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you

Question 12

Natural Law Theories

Answer 12

Do good and avoid evil. Human knowledge of the difference between good and evil directs decision-making

Question 13

Ethical Egoism

Answer 13

Decisions are based on what is best for the individual making the decision

Question 14

An OR nurse asks a psych nurse, “How can you work with the mentally ill day in and day out?” The psych nurse replies, “It’s just the right thing to do.” The psych nurse is operating from which ethical framework?

a) Kantianism
b) Christian ethics
c) Ethical egoism
d) Utilitarianism

Answer 14

a) Kantianism

Kantianism focuses on the morality of actions. Actions are judged as right or wrong based on ethical principles. The nurse’s response indicated a Kantian perspective.

Question 15

What is an ethical dilemma?

Answer 15

Situations that require individuals to make a choice between two equally unfavorable alternatives
P.S. taking not taking action is considered an action taken

Question 16

What is the Ethical principle of autonomy?

Answer 16

Autonomy emphasizes the status od persons as autonomous moral agents whose rights to determine their destinies should always be respected

Question 17

What is the Ethical Principle of Beneficence?

Answer 17

Beneficence refers to one’s duty to benefit or promote the good of others

Question 18

What is the ethical principle of nonmaleficence?

Answer 18

Nonmaleficence means to abstain from negative acts toward another; including acting carefully to AVOID Harm.

Question 19

What is the ethical principle of justice?

Answer 19

Justice is based on the notion of a hypothetical social contract between free, equal, and rational persons. The concept of justice reflects a duty to treat all individuals equally and fairly

Question 20

What is the ethical principle of veracity?

Answer 20

Veracity is a principle that refers to one’s duty to always be truthful

Question 21

All clients that a nurse attends to have what three rights?

Answer 21

1. The right to tx
2. The right to refuse tx (including meds (with exception)
3. The right to the least restrictive tx alternative

Question 22

What are the two types of law?

Answer 22

Statutory, Common

Question 23

What is Civil Law?

Answer 23

Protects the private and property rights of individuals and businesses

Question 24

What is Criminal Law?

Answer 24

Provides protection from conduct deemed injurious to the public welfare

Question 25

Legal issues in Psych/Mental Health Nursing

Answer 25

1. Confidentiality and right to privacy 2. Informed consent 3. Restraints and seclusion 4. Commitment issues 5. Negligence 6. Malpractice

Question 26

Types of Involuntary Commitment

Answer 26

1. Emergency commitment 2. The mentally ill person in need to tx 3. Involuntary outpatient commitment 4. The gravely disabled client

Question 27

What is Negligence?

Answer 27

Failure to exercise the care toward others that a reasonable or prudent person would do in the circumstances

Question 28

What is Malpractice?

Answer 28

An act or continuing conduct of a professional that does not meet the standard of competence and results in provable damages to the pt.

Question 29

What are the types of lawsuits that occur in psych nursing?

Answer 29

1. Breach of confidentiality 2. Defamation of character ( Libel [written] or Slander [spoken] 3. Invasion of privacy 4. Assault (the threat or perceived threat of harm) and battery (actually physically doing harm) 5. False imprisonment

Question 30

As a last resort, an agitated, physically aggressive client is placed in four-point restraints. The client yells, “I’ll sue you for assault and battery.” The unit manager determines that the nurses are protected under which condition? A) The client is voluntarily committed and poses a danger to others on the unit B) The client is voluntarily committed and has a hex of being a danger to others C) The client is involuntarily committed b/c of a hx of violent behavior D) The client is involuntarily committed and is refusing hx

Answer 30

A) The client is voluntarily committed and poses a danger to others on the unit As a threat to others, the client can be restrained despite objections and voluntary commitment

Question 31

A nurse gave a client 5 mg of haloperidol (Haldol) for agitation. The client was clearly stamped “Allergic HALDOL.” The client suffered anaphylactic shock and died. How would the nurse’s actions be labeled? A) intentionall tort B) Negligence C) Battery D) Assault

Answer 31

B) Negligence The nursing actions was an unreasonable and careless act. The nurse was negligent and could be held liable for the client’s death

Question 32

What are the eight ways to avoid liability?

Answer 32

1. Respond to the client 2. Educate the client 3. Comply with the standard of care 4. Supervise care 5. Adhere to the nursing process 6. Document carefully 7. Follow up as required 8. Develop and maintain a good interpersonal relationship with client and family