Introduction to Ethics and its Relationship to Nursing

Question 1

Define ethics

Answer 1

a systemic approach to understanding, analyzing and distinguishing matter of right and wrong, good and bad, admirable and deplorable as they relate to human beings

Question 2

Define morals

Answer 2

specific beliefs, behaviours and ways of being derived from ethics

Question 3

Define value

Answer 3

something desirable, prized, cherished, held dear; to attach a degree of goodness to something which elevates it to a place of prominence in one’s thinking where it will influence one’s behaviour

Question 4

Define belief

Answer 4

confidence, faith, or trust in something; believe something to be the truth, an opinion (ex. the earth is flat)

Question 5

What are the types of ethics?

Answer 5

-bioethics
-medical ethics
-relational ethics
-virtue ethics

Question 6

Define bioethics

Answer 6

the study of ethical issues and decision making associated with the use of living organisms

many types: medical, clinical, ecological, environmental, etc.

Question 7

Define medical ethics

Answer 7

the greatest amount of word in bioethics has been in medical ethics– evaluates the merits, risks, and social concerns of activities in the field of medicine

Question 8

Define relational ethics

Answer 8

-requires that we focus on the relationship as a significant and central aspect of health care ethics
-claims to build upon the strengths of other ethical theories, principles and decision making models to create a more modern, inclusive approach with an emphasis on relationship
-emphasizes four main themes: mutual respect, engagement, embodiment and environment

Question 9

Define virtue ethics

Answer 9

virtue– trait or character that is socially valuable and present in a person

a moral virtue is a character trait that is morally valued: truthfulness, kindness, honesty

Question 10

What are some focal virtues?

Answer 10

-compassion
-discernment
-trustworthiness
-integrity
-conscientiousness

Question 11

Define compassion

Answer 11

-the ability to imagine oneself in the situation of another
-prelude to caring
-active regard for another’s welfare
-directed at others

Question 12

Define discernment

Answer 12

-a sensitive insight involving astute judgement and understanding to action
-allows us to see appropriate actions in a given situation and requires sensitivity and attention to the demands of a particular context

Question 13

Define trustworthiness

Answer 13

-a confident belief in and a reliance upon the ability and moral character or another person
-entails a confidence that another will act with the right motives in accord with moral norms

Question 14

Define integrity

Answer 14

-moral integrity means soundness, reliability, wholeness, and an integration of moral character
-refers to our continuing to follow moral norms over time
-one with integrity has the consistency of convictions, actions, and emotions and is trustworthy

Question 15

Define conscientousness

Answer 15

-acting with good intentions, trying to do what is right, after determining what is the “right” choice of action
-involves significant effort and strong intentions to do what is right

Question 16

What are ethical theories?

Answer 16

-ethical theories explain values and behaviour related to cultural and moral norms
-as a morally central health care profession, nursing requires astuteness concerning moral and ethical issues

Question 17

Define utilitarianism

Answer 17

-also called consequentialism
-an action is judged as good or bad in relation to the consequence, outcome, or end result that is derived from it
-holds that no action is in itself either good or bad
-“the end justifies the means”

Question 18

Define deontology

Answer 18

-based on the rationalist view that the rightness or wrongness of an act depends upon the nature of the act, rather than its consequences
-ethical rules are universal, and humans can derive certain consistent principles to guide action
-moral rules are absolute and apply to all people

Question 19

What are ethical principles?

Answer 19

-a guideline to make justified moral decision and to evaluate the morality of actions
-identify ethical issues
-can change over time or from place to place, culture to culture, religion to religion

Question 20

What are the ethical principles?

Answer 20

-sanctity of life
-autonomy
-non-maleficence
-beneficence
-veracity
-fidelity
-justice

Question 21

Define sanctity of life

Answer 21

-preservation of life
-all life is worth living
-life is valued above all else
-the duty to preserve life

Question 22

Define autonomy

Answer 22

-having the freedom to make decisions about issues that affect one’s life

Question 23

Define non-maleficence

Answer 23

-requires one to avoid causing harm, including deliberate, risk of harm and inadvertent harm that occurs during the performance of a beneficial acts

Question 24

Define beneficence

Answer 24

-requires one to act in a way that benefits others
-has two major components: do or promote good and prevent harm

Question 25

Define veracity

Answer 25

-the duty to tell the truth, to be truthful
-not to lie or deceive others
-our society seems to think there are times it is okay to lie and time not to

Question 26

Define fidelity

Answer 26

-faithfulness and promise keeping

Question 27

Define confidentiality

Answer 27

-non disclosure of private or secret information about another person

Question 28

Define justice

Answer 28

-relates to fair, equitable, and appropriate treatment in light of what is due or owed to persons
-recognizes that giving to some will deny receipt to others who might otherwise have received these things
-distributive justice– application of the principle of justice that focuses on distribution of goods and services