MORAL PRINCIPLES IN HEALTH CARE (L4) Flashcards
_________ is that from which something
proceeds in any manner, whatsoever.
Principle
These are part of a normative theory that
justifies or defends moral rules and/or
moral judgments
MORAL PRINCIPLES
Moral principles in health practice refer to those
general judgments that serve as a ________ for the many particular ethical prescriptions and evaluations of health activities.
basic justification
refers to a fundamental rule of moral law containing certain truth from which knowledge of a definite moral action for performance proceeds along with the provision of solution to specific moral problems or issues.
Moral Principle
8 MORAL PRINCIPLES
Accountability
Autonomy
Beneficence
Confidentiality
Fidelity
Justice
Nonmaleficence
Veracity
Healthcare providers need to respect patient’s
rights to make choices about healthcare, even if the healthcare providers do not agree with the patient’s decision.
Autonomy
The freedom to make decisions about oneself
Autonomy
The right to self-determination
Autonomy
Autonomy is important because we need to
make sure that the patient is ______ – and not just
deferring to their Doctor.
actively involved in their diagnosis and treatment
Requires that no harm be caused to an
individual, either unintentionally or deliberately
Nonmaleficence
This principle means “doing good” for others
Beneficence
This principle requires nurses to protect
individuals who are unable to protect themselves
Nonmaleficence
An example of a ________ action would
be stopping a medication known to be harmful
or refusing to give a medication to a patient if it
has not been proven to be effective.
non-maleficent
Nurses need to assist clients in meeting all their
needs:
- Biological
- Psychological
- Social
Non-maleficence has four key
components:
- An action must not be intrinsically wrong
- A good effect must be intended by the
action - The good outcome must not be a byproduct
of a bad effect - If there are negative outcomes of an action,
the good outcomes of the action must
outweigh the bad
________ is a moral principle that
addresses the idea that a nurse’s actions should
promote good. Doing good is thought of as
doing what is best for the patient.
Beneficence
states that one should not do harm to patients.
This principle acts as an obligation for nurses to
protect their patients from harm by removing
and preventing bad situations and promoting
good ones.
nonmaleficence
For example, if a patient has been in the
hospital for weeks, a nurse showing ______
might take that patient outside for some fresh
air.
beneficence
- Every individual must be treated
equally - This requires nurses to be
nonjudgmental
Justice
In nursing, the moral principle of justice means
to _________.
treat fairly
- Loyalty
- The promise to fulfill all commitments
- The basis of accountability
- Includes the professionals faithfulness or loyalty to agreements & responsibilities accepted as part of the practice of the profession
Fidelity
In nursing, the ethical principle of fidelity means
to be _______, which means that you
keep promises to patients.
faithful or loyal
For example, a nurse who told their patient they were coming back in 30 minutes to check on their pain, would either come back, or delegate somebody else to come back if they got tied up.
fidelity
Anything stated to nurses or health-care providers by patients must remain confidential
Confidentiality
The only times Confidentiality principle may
be violated are:
If patients may indicate harm to themselves or others
Legal requirements to report certain conditions or circumstances
If the patient gives permission for the information to be shared
- This principle implies “truthfulness”
- Nurses need to be truthful to their clients
- is an important component of building trusting relationships
Veracity
It means to tell the truth—to never lie
to patients or give them knowingly false
reassurance, which is also lying. For example, if
a patient was starting chemotherapy and asked
about the side effects, a nurse practicing
______ would be honest about the side effects
they could expect with chemotherapy.
Veracity
Accountability is foundational to professional
nursing practice and is often referred to as
the __________
“hallmark of professionalism”
Individuals need to be responsible for their own actions
Accountability
______ is defined as the acceptance of
responsibility for honest and ethical conduct.
Accountability
_______ in nursing practice is integral
to professional practice. It is concerned with
weighing the interest of patients with diverse
health issues while using professional
judgment, knowledge, skills, and
evidence-based practices to make decisions
that promote positive patient outcomes.
Accountability
