Ethical And Legal Issues Flashcards
Deontology
An ethical theory that stresses the rightness or wrongness of individual behaviors, duties, and obligations without concern for the consequences of specific actions.
Ultitarianism
Maintains that behaviors are determined to be either right or wrong solely on the basis of their consequences
Autonomy
The concept of making decisions supported by knowledge and self-confidence
Accountability
The concept of being answerable for one’s actions
Advocacy
The concept of supporting or promoting the interests of others or of a cause greater than ourselves
Beneficence
The concept of “doing good”
Confidentiality
The concept of limiting the sharing of private patient information
Fidelity
The concept of keeping promises or agreements made with others
Justice
the concept of keeping promises or agreements made with others
Nonmaleficence
The concept of avoiding harm
-euthanasia, the act of painlessly ending the life of another, has ethical issues directly impacting nursing practice
Responsibility
The concept of being dependable and reliable
Veracity
The concept of being truthful
Verdad
Code of ethics
A formalized statement that defines the values, morals, and standards guiding practice within a specific discipline or profession
Civility
Acting politely. Respectful interaction between students and faculty members established professional communication patterns and affects the way in which students interact with patients.
Nurse educators and students who have been the victims of incivility report experiencing:
- loss of sleep
- increased stress and depression
- feelings of powerlessness
- decreased confidence
Bioethics
The stud of ethical and philosophical issues in biology and medicine
Bioethical issues include:
- genetic testing
- cloning and embryonic stem cell research
- end of life care
Futile care
Care that is perceived as useless and that prolongs the time until death rather than restoring life
Role of ethics committees
- establish policies that govern health care decision making
- review cases in which clarity is needed
- identify sets of values relevant to cases requiring consultation
- determine any values conflicts that may exists
- interview key individuals impacting the case being reviewed
- provide unbiased input that is not possible from a patient, family members, or close caregivers
- clarify potential legal implications of the medical or nursing interventions
Laws
- Delineate acceptable nursing practice
- Provide a basis on which many health care decisions are made
- Protect nurses from liability
Criminal Law
The body of state and federal laws written to prevent harm to the country, state, and individual citizens
Misdemeanor
A crime lesser consequence that is punishable by a fine or incarceration in a local or county jail for up to 1 year
Felony
A more serious crime that results in the perpetrator’s being imprisoned in a state or federal facility for more than 1 year.
Civil Law
Governs unjust acts against individuals, rather than federal or state crimes
Torts
Wrongs committed against another person that do not involve a contract.
Intentional Torts
Wrongs committed by individuals who deliberately seek to injure or hurt another person.
- assault
- battery
- defamation of character
- libel (written)
- slander (oral)
- false imprisonment
- invasion of privacy
Unintentional Tort
omissions or acts by individuals that cause unintended harm
- negligence
- malpractice
Negligence/malpractice “Four Ds”
Duty, dereliction, damages, direct cause
