HEALTH ASSESSMENT Flashcards
Ethics
the study of conduct and character
code of ethics
a guide for the expectations and standards of a profession
basic principles of ethics (4)
advocacy
responsibility
accountability
confidentiality
advocacy
support of client’s health/wellness/safety/and personal rights, including privacy
responsibility
willingness to respect obligations and follow through on promises
accountability
ability to answer for one’s own actions
confidentiality
protection of privacy without diminishing access to high-quality care
ethical principles for client care
autonomy
beneficence
fidelity
justice
nonmaleficence
veracity
autonomy
the right to make one’s own personal decisions, even when those decisions might not be in that person’s best interest
beneficence
action that promotes good for others, without any self-interest
fidelity
fulfillment of promises
justice
fairness in care delivery and use of resources
nonmaleficence
a commitment to do no harm
veracity
a commitment to tell the truth
ethical dilemma
problems that involve more than one choice and stem from differences in the values and beliefs of the decision makers
a problem is an ethical dilemma when (3)
1) a review of scientific data is not enough to solve it
2) it involves a conflict between two moral imperatives
3) the answer will have a profound effect on the situation and the client
what to do when making an ethical decision (7)
1) identify whether the issue is indeed an ethical dilemma 2) gather as much relevant information as possible about the dilemma 3) reflect on your own values as they relate to the dilemma 4) state the ethical dilemma, including all surrounding issues and the individuals it involves 5) list and analyze all possible options for resolving the dilemma, and review the implications of each option 6) select the option that is in concert with the ethical principle that applies to this situation, the decision maker’s values and beliefs, and the profession’s values for client care. Justify selecting that one option in light of the relevant variables 7) apply this decision to the dilemma and evaulate the outcomes
examples of ethical dilemmas nurses may face
1) caring for an adolescent client who has to decide whether to undergo an abortion even though her parents believe it is wrong
2) discussing options with a parent who has to decide whether to consent to a blood transfusion for a child when his religion prohibits such treatment
unintentional torts
1) negligence (a nurse fails to implement safety measures for a client at risk for falls)
2) malpractice (a nurse administers a large dose of medication due to a calculation error, the client has a cardiac arrest and dies)
quasi-intentional torts
1) breach of confidentiality (a nurse releases a client’s medical diagnosis to a member of the press)
2) defamation of character (a nurse tells a coworker that she believes the client has been unfaithful to her partner)
intentional torts
1) assault (a nurse threatens to place an NG tube in a client who is refusing to eat)
2) battery (a nurse restrains a client and administers an injection against her wishes)
3) false imprisonment (a nurse uses restraints on a competent client to prevent his leaving the health care facility)
professional negligence
the failure of a person who has professional training to act in a reasonable and prudent manner
– what typically leads to a malpractice suit
five elements necessary to prove negligence
1) duty to provide care as defined by a standard (care a nurse should give or what a reasonably prudent nurse would do)
2) breach of duty by failure to meet standard (failure to give the standard of care)
3) foreseeability of harm (knowledge that failing to give the proper standard of care could harm the client)
4) breach of duty has potential to cause harm (failure to meet the standard had potential to cause harm - relationship must be provable)
5) harm occurs
five elements of negligence in nursing with client who has fall risk
1) standard of care exists
- - the nurse should complete a fall risk assessment for all clients during admission
2) failure of standard
- - the nurse does not perform a fall risk assessment during admission
3) know of consequences of no standard care
- - the nurse should know that failure to take fall risk precautions could endanger a client at risk for falls
4) relationship between 2&3
- - without a fall risk assessment, the nurse does not know the client’s risk for falls and does not take the proper precautions
5) harm occurs
- - the client falls out of bed and fractures his hip