Steps of Ethical Decision Making

Question 1

What are the 5 steps to the systems approach of ethical decision making?

Answer 1

1. Identify the problem, issue, or dilemma
2. Gather relevant facts & identify assumptions and unknowns
3. Develop viable courses of action to resolve the problem
4. Select an option based on an ethical approach or guidelines and act on it
5. Evaluate the decision

Question 2

What are factors to consider in ethical decision making?

Answer 2

SLEEP:

s: sociocultural considerations
l: legal implications
e: ethical imperatives (professional Code of Ethics, personal morality)
e: economic impact
p: political ramification

Question 3

What is the principle of symmetry?

Answer 3

Considering an opposing point of view and analyzing the problem from that perspective

Question 4

What are Purtilo’s Six Steps process to a Caring Response?? (WILL be on test, not MC)

Answer 4

1. Get the story straight: gather relevant information
2. Identify the type of problem: distress? dilemma? locus of authority problem?
3. Use ethics theories to analyze the problems
4. Explore the practical alternatives
5. Complete the action
6. Reflect: evaluate the process and outcome