Module 3 - Ethics/Morals

Question 1

Is “consent” the legal expression of the moral principle of autonomy?

Answer 1

Yes

Question 2

Informed consent in research involves what?

Answer 2

a person freely agreeing to participate in a study after receiving information about the nature of the study and what it will involve for them personally

Question 3

The NZ Health Research Council is the agency responsible for what?

Answer 3

managing the governments investment in health research

Question 4

Explain what ethics is:

Answer 4

Ethics is the study of what we should do and why.

It is not:
-religion
-the law
-following orders/policy/practices

Question 5

What is morality?

Answer 5

Morality is the distinction between right and wrong behaviour

Question 6

What is moral agency?

Answer 6

Moral agency is the ability to make ethical decisions based on what is right or wrong.

Question 7

What are the 4 key elements of ethical conduct that nursing practice comes under (ICN Code of Ethics)?

Answer 7

Nurse and people

Nurse and practice

Nurses and profession

Nurses and co-workers

Question 8

List the 4 ethical principles in the Code of Ethics

Answer 8

Autonomy – self-determination – example is Code of H&D no. 7 It’s your decision!!

Beneficence – above all, do good - example is analgesia after surgery

Non-maleficence – above all, do no harm - example is allergy checks

Justice – fairness - example is targeted vaccinaton drive for vulnerable populations

Question 9

Explain what Veracity is and give an example in nursing

Answer 9

Requires the nurse to tell the patient the objective truth. Honest and truthful communication.

Example: Inform patient of all possible outcomes of a procedure

Question 10

Explain what Fidelity is and give an example in nursing

Answer 10

Best described by keeping your word to patients. Remaining faithful to one’s commitment to others.

Includes also Confidentiality AND Privacy

Example: returning to a patient when you promised to follow up

Question 11

What are the two main branches of Ethics?

Answer 11

1. Normative Ethics - concered with right or good action/ what SHOULD happen
2. Descriptive Ethics - concerned with what DOES happen

Question 12

Under Domain 1 - Professional Responsibility (1.1), identify ONE ethical requirement most relevant to nursing and describe how your nursing practice and conduct meets this?

Answer 12

The Code of Ethics (2019)

Assists with problem solving, decision making, guides practice in a clinical context of ethical dilemmas. Accountability.

Question 13

Under Domain 1 - Professional Responsibility (1.1), identify ONE legislative requirement most relevant to nursing and describe how your nursing practice and conduct meets this?

Answer 13

Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (2003)

Protect the health and safety of the
members of public and provides mechanisms
to ensure all health practitioners are competent
and fit to practice.

Question 14

Under Domain 1 - Professional Responsibility (1.1), identify ONE professional requirement most relevant to nursing and describe how your nursing practice and conduct meets this?

Answer 14

Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers
Rights (1996)

Every person has rights when receiving health and/or disability
services and for these to be enforced.
The code sets out ten rights – each right imposes a
corresponding legal duty of care on health care providers.

Question 15

Is the NZNO Code of Ethics an example of normative or descriptive Ethics?

Answer 15

Normative - what SHOULD happen

Question 16

What key value is required in ethical competence to see what the ethical challenge is?

Answer 16

Perception

Question 17

What is Deontology?

Answer 17

Deontology is an ethical theory that uses rules to distinguish right from wrong (philosopher Immanuel Kant).

Kant believes that humans have intrinsic worth that makes them valuable.

The end does not justify the means…..
Example lying thinking you are doing no harm to patient

Question 18

What is Utilitarianism?

Answer 18

Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that determines right from wrong by focusing on outcomes. Utilitarianism holds that the most ethical choice is the one that will produce the greatest good for the greatest number

Example - immunisations

Question 19

Explain the Nuremberg trials and outcome from this?

Answer 19

Breach: Nazi physicians during WW2 conducted inhumane experiments on prisoners without their consent, including exposing them to extreme temperatures and infectious diseases (War Crimes).

Consequence: Established the Nuremberg Code, which outlined principles for ethical human experimentation, including informed consent and minimizing harm.

Question 20

Explain the Greenlane heart babies case and outcome from this?

Answer 20

Breach: In the 1960s, doctors at Greenlane Hospital in Auckland performed unapproved, high-risk heart surgery on babies without informing parents of the experimental nature of the procedures.

Consequence: Led to the establishment of ethical review processes for medical research in New Zealand and heightened awareness of the importance of informed consent.

Question 21

Explain the Cartwright Inquiry and the outcome from this?

Answer 21

Breach: In the 1980s, Dr. Herbert Green conducted unethical research on cervical cancer screening with women without informed consent from patients, and he altered data to support his hypotheses.

Consequence: Sparked the Cartwright Inquiry, which exposed widespread unethical practices in cervical cancer screening, leading to reforms in medical research ethics and increased scrutiny of healthcare practices in New Zealand.

Pivotal for start of H&D Commissioner role