Exam #2: Ethical Issues*** Flashcards
Morality
a personal standard of what is right/wrong or good/bad in a situation
Ethics
the reasoned analysis/disciplined inquiry of relationships underlying the moral code of a particular group
Ethical Distress
acting in a manner contrary to personal/professional values (ex. checking in on a celeb pt)
Autonomy
freedom to make decisions about one’s own body w/o interference from others
–> leads to self determination
Justice
the obligation to be fair to all people
Veracity
truth-telling
Beneficence
doing good towards another (not paternalistic)
Nonmaleficence
protection from harm
balancing risks and benefits
Privacy
protection against intrusive contact from others
–> nurses as gatekeepers
Confidentiality
maintaining secrecy of pt information (HIPPA)
Fidelity
faithfulness/promise-keeping
Ideal Observer
requires a decision be made from a disinterested/dispassionate viewpoint with full info available and consideration of future consequences
–> not imposing own values on pt
Standard of Best Interest
making decisions on pt behalf based on known wishes (if they are unable to voice their own opinion)
What is the purpose of the code of ethics?
- inspire members to be ethical
- sensitize members to ethical issues
- enforce rules on group members
- protect society
What are aspects of the ANA Code of Ethics?
- nurse practices compassion/respect
- justice: pts treated equally
- nurses primary committed to pt
- nurse is accountable for her own nursing practice
- lifelong learning, preserve integrity/safety
- improvement of healthcare environments
- advancement in profession
- collaboration with other healthcare professionals
- shaping social policy
What are the steps of Ethical Decision Making?
CGIMAE C- Clarify ethical dilemma G- Gather additional information I- Identify options M- Make a decision (ultimately done by pt) A- Act E- Evaluate
What is patient advocacy?
- nursing role or an employment position
- acting on behalf of a pt
- ->be prepared for personal consequences of pt advocacy = conflict
What is the Ethics Committee?
in many hospitals/home health agencies
- volunteers
- review ethical cases
- assist in policy development
What is the goal of ethics in nursing research?
- informed consent
- prevention of harm
- protection of privacy
- research process integrity
Ethical Issues in Nursing: Informed consent
-pt must be fully informed
-voluntary/signed
-legally competent
(implied consent: healthcare provider answers the way they believe the pt would if competent)
Ethical Issues in Nursing: Allocation of Resources
- problem: may not have enough equipment/staff to fully care for its
- nurses can’t be experts in all areas –> need to be specialized (not always floated)
- access is limited by insurance
Ethical Issues in Nursing: Reproductive Technology
- artificial insemination (mult contributions?)
- selective termination after in-vitro fertilization? (increase survival of few or carry all 6-8?)
- surrogate mothers, stem cell research, etc
Ethical Issues in Nursing: Provision of Healthcare to Children
- refusal of care by parents (no chemo/vaccines/blood)
- divorced parents deciding on treatment for child
- do we fully inform parents? (16 year old with STI)
Ethical Issues in Nursing: End of Life Decisions
- quality vs. quantity
- assisted suicide
- technology expanding life (too far?)
