ICN Code of Ethics

Question 1

4 Fundamental nursing responsibilities

Answer 1

1. To promote health
2. To prevent illness
3. To restore health
4. To alleviate suffering and promote dignified death

Question 2

4 Elements of the code

Answer 2

1. Nurses and patients (or other people requiring care and services)
2. Nurses and practice
3. Nurses and the profession
4. Nurses and global health

Question 3

Element 1

Answer 3

1. Primary professional responsibility to care recipient(s)
2. Promote environment of respecting human rights/values
3. Provide accurate, sufficient, timely & understandable information
4. Personal information (incl. collection, access/use, transmission/disclosure, storage)
5. Respect privacy & confidentiality of patients & colleagues
6. Shared responsibility for actions to meet health needs
7. Advocate for equity/social justice in healthcare
8. Demonstrate professional values - e.g. respect, justice, compassion, integrity.
9. Culture of safety in healthcare
10. Evidence-based, person-centred care
11. Appropriate/ethical use of technology & scientific advances

Question 4

Element 2

Answer 4

1. Responsibility/accountability for ethical practice & maintaining competence via CDP/LLL
2. Maintain fitness to practice
3. Practice within scope of competence
4. Value dignity, wellbeing & health of self
5. Uphold standards of personal conduct & professional image
6. Share knowledge/expertise & feedback/mentoring
7. Patient advocates
8. Respectful & timely conscientious objection
9. Protect genetic information
10. Safeguard others from co-workers, others, practices etc.
11. Actively promote patient safety & transparency
12. Accountable for data integrity

Question 5

Element 3

Answer 5

1. Leaders in evidence-based clinical standards
2. Actively expand research-base/professional knowledge
3. Develop/sustain core professional values
4. Facilitate positive/constructive practice environment
5. Promote ethical organisational environments & challenge unethical practices/settings
6. Engage in research
7. Prepare for and respond to emergencies/disasters etc.

Question 6

Element 4

Answer 6

1. Health as a human right
2. Uphold dignity, freedom & worth of all people
3. Contribute to health policy development
4. Contribute to population health & UN SDGs
5. Practice to preserve natural environment
6. Uphold principles of justice & promote public good & healthy planet
7. Collaborate across countries to maintain global health