Ethics

Question 1

Ethical Principles

Answer 1

1. respect for autonomy {self-determination};
2. nonmaleficence {do no harm};
3. beneficence {act in the best interest of};
4. justice {fairness};
5. veracity {truthfulness, honesty};
6. confidentiality;
7. Fidelity {promise keeping, loyalty};

Question 2

Ethical dilemmas

Answer 2

• what is the issue;
• can it be defined;
• can it be articulated;

Question 3

Five step process for ethical decision making

Answer 3

1. recognize an ethical dilemma exists {how do you know};
2. analyze available clinical information;
3. develop a moral point of view that can be articulated/explained;
4. understand that dilemma can be approached from a variety of viewpoints;
5. move toward responsible, collaborative action through communication and understanding;

Question 4

What to do with ethical dilemmas

Answer 4

• what has already been done?
• what professional ethics, standards, or interpretive statements exist that apply?
• utilize resources

Question 5

People/resources for ethical dilemmas

Answer 5

• professional ethics committees: decisions are not binding but offer assistance reach a resolution;
• professional peer review;
• applicable legal decisions;
• who does the decision bind, to what extent, and how can it be incorporated into practice

Question 6

Critical thinking: gathering and processing complex information in ethics

Answer 6

• is there a clinical issue and are there legal/ethical components?
• how does the issue present itself;
• is thre a gut feeling;
• who is impacted/who will benefit/what are the interests of those impacted;
• what are the needs to be addressed;
• who should assist in the decisoin making;
• is there a possible conflict;
• pros and cons;
• is there a resolution that is agreeable to all interested parties

Question 7

Critical thinking: resources and standards

Answer 7

• is three law or ethical standard governing situation;
• look to scope of practice defined by state practice laws;
• obtain guidance from state board of nursing;
• look to privacy and confidentiality rules and regulations defined by federal and state law and guidelines;
• is it a billing issue;
• is it a competency issue;
• is it end-of-life issue
• is it conflict of law

Question 8

Formulating inclusive decision-making skills

Answer 8

• establish framework in the law on which the activities of personnel/others can find support;
• seek collective guidance in health care, moral ethics, and philosophy;
• get facts and define concepts/issues;
• understand decision making

Question 9

understanding decision making in ethics

Answer 9

• is it knowing, informed, is competency an issue;
• what is said/heard;
• who are the players and what interests do they have;
• does answering the question solve problem or create more