Leadership exam 1 Flashcards
Morals
traditional beliefs of good & bad, right or wrong
example: it is not good to kill someone
Values
Ideas, beliefs, customs, modes of conduct, qualities, or goals that are highly prized or preferred by an individual groups or society
It guides behaviors:
- frame of reference
- direction
- meaning of life
Belief systems
1) Why people exist in this universe
2) Explain life and death, good, evil, health, and illness
3) Personal belief system vs religion
4) Help survivors make decisions and live with them afterwards
Ethics
right or wrong of human behavior
Ethical theories
explain values and behavior related to cultural and moral norms
Philosophy
examination of beliefs and assumptions
Why should we be reflective about our personal values?
Self awareness
Values clarification allow us the opportunity to understand our interactions and reactions
Moral Theory
Provides a framework for cohesive and consistent ethical reasoning and decision making
Two moral theories having the greatest influence on contemporary bioethics and nursing
1) Utilitarianism
2) Deotology
Moral philosophy response with words that include:
1) ought
2)should
3) right
4)wrong
5)good
6) bad
Utilitarianism
Moral philosophy of healthcare delivery
Holds that an action is judged as good or bad in relation to the consequence, outcome , or result that is derived from it
Act-utilitarianism
A persons act is morally right only if it produces at least as much happiness as any other act that the person can perform at that time
Rule-utilitarianism
People choose rules in ALL situation that increase the overall good
Example: handwashing
Deontology
Roots in rationalism ( sense of duty)
Belief that rightness or wrongness of an act depends upon the nature of the act NOT its consequences
Example: CPR; if patient is at code it is your duty to do CPR
Virtue Ethics
Morality depends upon a person’s character
A virtuous person will naturally choose the morally right decision
Virtues/morally important traits:
Compassion
Discernment ( ability to judge well)
Trustworthiness
Integrity
Value Clarification
Value Clarification: deciding what one believes is important
Choosing:
Choosing freely
Choosing from alternatives
Deciding after giving consideration to the consequences of each alternative
Prizing:
Being satisfied about the choice
Being willing to declare the choice to others
Acting:
Making the choice a part of one’s worldview and incorporating it into behavior
Moral distress
When nurses know the action they need to take but are unable to act
Moral suffering
Nurses experience a feeling of uneasiness or concern regarding behaviors or circumstances that challenge their own morals and beliefs
Ethical Principles
Basic and obvious moral truths that guide actions
Presuppose a basic respect for persons
Autonomy
Beneficence
Veracity
Non-maleficence
Confidentiality
Justice
Fidelity
Autonomy:
Self-governing
- The autonomous person is respect
- The autonomous person is able to determine personal goals
- The autonomous person is able to decide on a plan
- The autonomous person is able to act upon their choices
Value of autonomy is culturally dependent ( example: whatever the fathers say for the child is the decision)
Respect for autonomy does not require respect for all autonomous decisions
Respect the principle rather than each action or choice
Informed consent
legal protection of personal autonomy ( give patients autonomy)
Paternalism
places power in the hands of the person who is making for the decision, implies that the decision maker knows what is best
(opposite of autonomy, someone other than patient is making the decision)
Advocacy
ensures the patients welfare and respects the patients autonomy because it aims to act according to the patients values
( advocacy and autonomy go hand in hand; nurses are patient advocates … example: speaking up for yourself or for a patient)
Beneficence
Beneficence: ( providing a benefit to the patient)
The act of
Doing good
Preventing harm
Removing evil/harm
Preventing harm
Ask yourself:
In what instances might a nurse be compelled to prevent harm?
How far should a nurse go to prevent harm?
Remove evil/harm
Ask yourself:
In what type of situations would a nurse need to remove harm?
What are the risks to the nurse?
Nonmaleficence
do no harm
Veracity
The practice of telling the truth
This is controversial at times
Discussion: is there any acceptable situation for not telling the truth?
Veracity, confidentiality, and privacy go hand in hand
Confidentiality requires information be kept private
- Limitations?
Justice
appropriate treatment in light of what is due or owed to persons
Fidelity
faithfulness/ promise keeping
Nurses must faithfully
1) Uphold the professions code of ethics
2) Practice within established scope of practice
3) Practice competently
4) Keep promises to patients
Caring for patients involves respect
Respect is demonstrated when nurses apply these ethical principles when caring for patients
Ethical principles must always be taken into consideration even when healthcare seems
Analysis
What is the problem?
Simple or complex, routine or moral
Moral problems are complex and as such the decision-making process must not be taken lightly
These decisions cannot be undone - irreversible
Types of Moral Problems
Moral uncertainty
Moral dilemma
Moral distress
Moral outrage
Moral reckoning
Moral uncertainty
Not sure of the morally correct action
Two answers can be correct; you are uncertain
Moral dilemma
A problem
Requires a choice between two equally unfavorable and mutually exclusive options
Example: it is morally right to preserve life however, many would agree that is it wrong to prolong suffering
A moral dilemma occurs when solutions to a problem include conflicting moral claims
Moral Dilemma Presentation
Two ways moral dilemmas may present:
Evidence indicates that an act is morally right, and other evidence indicates that the act is morally wrong, but no evidence is conclusive
One moral rule supports one course of action and another moral rule supports another course of action yet the two actions are mutually exclusive
Ethical Decision Making
Basic features constitute every type of decision:
A problem
Alternative solutions
Uncertainty
Outcome
Effective Decision Maker
Moral integrity
Sensitivity, compassion, and caring
Sense of responsibility
Empowerment
Patience and willingness to deliberate
Knowledgeable about societal rules, ethical principles, and professional standards
Ethical Decision-Making Process
Articulate the problem ( figure out the problem)
Gather data and identify conflicting moral claims ( gather data from the internet)
Explore strategies ( explore different ideas)
Implement the chosen strategy
Evaluate outcomes ( document/ evaluate the outcome)
Solution to moral dilemmas
nursing process (ADPIE)
