Fundamentals: Chapter 22

Question 1

Define: ethics

Answer 1

the study of conduct and character

Question 2

Define: autonomy

Answer 2

freedom from external control

Question 3

What is respect for autonomy?

Answer 3

the commitment to include patients in decisions about all aspects of care as a way of acknowledging and protecting a patient’s independence

Question 4

Define: beneficence

Answer 4

taking positive actions to help others

Question 5

What role does beneficence play in nursing?

Answer 5

the best interests of the patient remain more important than self-interest

Question 6

Define: nonmaleficence

Answer 6

the avoidance of harm or hurt

Question 7

Define: “just culture”

Answer 7

the promotion of open discussion whenever mistakes occur, or nearly occur, without fear of recrimination

Question 8

Define: fidelity

Answer 8

the agreement to keep promises

Question 9

What role does fidelity play in nursing?

Answer 9

A nurse must keep promises by following through on your actions and interventions. Also refers to the unwillingness to abandon patients even when care becomes controversial or complex

Question 10

Define: advocacy

Answer 10

the support of a particular cause

Question 11

Define: responsibility

Answer 11

a willingness to respect one’s professional obligations and follow through on promises

Question 12

Define: accountability

Answer 12

refers to the ability to answer for one’s actions

Question 13

Define: confidentiality

Answer 13

the act of keeping information private or secret

Question 14

How does a nurse practice confidentiality?

Answer 14

the nurse only shares information about a patient with other nurses or health care providers who need to know private information about a patient to provide care for him or her; information can only be shared with the patient’s consent

Question 15

Define: value

Answer 15

a personal belief about the worth of a given idea, attitude, custom, or object that sets standards that influence behavior

Question 16

When are ethical dilemmas most likely to occur?

Answer 16

in the presence of conflicting values

Question 17

According to Volker, what hinders research that tries to predict behaviors based on ethnicity

Answer 17

the lack of uniform definitions for various ethnic groups and by the infinite variety of human beings, even if they do seem to come from a particular ethnicity or culture

Question 18

What is Deontology?

Answer 18

defines actions as right or wrong based on their “right-making characteristics” such as fidelity to promises, truthfulness, and justice

Question 19

What factors does Deontology depend on?

Answer 19

mutual understanding and acceptance of its principles

Question 20

Describe a utilitarian system of ethics

Answer 20

the value of something is determined by its usefulness

Question 21

What is another name for a utilitarian system of ethics

Answer 21

consequentialism

Question 22

What is teteology?

Answer 22

the study of ends or final causes

Question 23

What is the difference between utilitarianism and deontology?

Answer 23

Utilitarianism measures the effect that an act will have; deontology looks to the presence of principle regardless of outcome

Question 24

What was the philosophy of John Stuart Mill?

Answer 24

The greatest good for the greatest number of people is the guiding principle for determining right action in this system

Question 25

What is the view of feminist ethics?

Answer 25

Looks to the nature of relationships to guide participants in making difficult decisions, especially relationships in which power is unequal or in which a point of view has become ignored or invisible

Question 26

What is the value of consensus building?

Answer 26

it promotes respect and agreement rather than a particular philosophy or moral system itself

Question 27

List 3 possible criteria that differentiate ethical problems from other problems

Answer 27

• You are unable to resolve it solely through a review of scientific data.
• It is perplexing. You cannot easily think logically or make a decision about the problem.
• The answer to the problem will have a profound relevance for areas of human concern.

Question 28

What are the 7 key steps in resolving an ethical dilemma?

Answer 28

Step 1: Ask the question, is this an ethical dilemma? If a review of scientific data does not resolve the question, if the question is perplexing, and if the answer will have relevance for areas of human concern, an ethical dilemma probably exists.

Step 2: Gather information relevant to the case. Patient, family, institutional, and social perspectives are important sources of relevant information.

Step 3: Clarify values. Distinguish among fact, opinion, and values.

Step 4: Verbalize the problem. A clear, simple statement of the dilemma is not always easy, but it helps to ensure effectiveness in the final plan and facilitates discussion.

Step 5: Identify possible courses of action.

Step 6: Negotiate a plan. Negotiation requires a confidence in one’s own point of view and a deep respect for the opinions of others.

Step 7: Evaluate the plan over time.

Question 29

What purpose do ethics committees serve?

Answer 29

education, policy recommendation, and case consultation

Question 30

Why are shared efforts to alleviate moral distress more successful?

Answer 30

Moral distress is a shared experience.