Week 1: Introduction to Ethics Flashcards
Define
Australian Legal System
The legal framework in Australia consisting of three principal institutions: the executive, Parliament (legislature), and the courts (judiciary).
Definition
The principle of doing good and acting in the best interest of patients.
Define
Beneficence
Define
Beneficence
The principle of doing good and acting in the best interest of patients.
Define
Moral Ambiguity
The lack of a clear right or wrong answer in ethical problems, leading to multiple perspectives and challenging decisions.
Definition
Laws created and passed by Parliament, also known as statutory laws.
Define
Legislation (Parliamentary Law)
Define
Executive
The branch of government consisting of the Governor General and ministers, responsible for implementing laws and administering public policy.
Define
Non-maleficence
The principle of avoiding harm to patients.
The principle of fair and equitable treatment for all individuals.
Define
Justice
A nurse stopped at a car accident and began to provide emergency care for the injured. Ethically these actions are best labelled as:
a. Triage
b. Beneficence
c. Respect for people
d. Non-maleficence
A nurse stopped at a car accident and began to provide emergency care for the injured. Ethically these actions are best labelled as:
a. Triage
b. Beneficence
c. Respect for people
d. Non-maleficence
Definition
The study of ethical issues arising from biological nature and medical practice, involving decision-making, conduct, and policy in healthcare.
Define
Bioethics
Definition
The lack of a clear right or wrong answer in ethical problems, leading to multiple perspectives and challenging decisions.
Define
Moral Ambiguity
Definition
An approach in bioethics that uses four guiding principles (autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice) to make ethical decisions.
Define
Ethical Principlism
Define
Teleology (Consequentialism)
An ethical theory that judges actions by their consequences, aiming for the greatest good for the greatest number or the least harm for the greatest number.
Definition
The principle of self-rule, allowing individuals to make decisions without undue influence from others.
Define
Autonomy
Define
Deontology (Kantianism)
An ethical theory founded by Immanuel Kant, focusing on following duties and rules, where the means justify the ends, regardless of the outcomes.
WHEN CAN A PATIENTS AUTONOMY IN HEALTHCARE BE RESTRICTED?
a. When there is fear of self-harm to the patient/other people
b. When the head of the family makes a decision that goes against the patient’s wishes
c. When the patient wants to lodge a complaint about the care they have received
d. When the person has no health insurance
WHEN CAN A PATIENTS AUTONOMY IN HEALTHCARE BE RESTRICTED?
a. When there is fear of self-harm to the patient/other people
b. When the head of the family makes a decision that goes against the patient’s wishes
c. When the patient wants to lodge a complaint about the care they have received
d. When the person has no health insurance
Define
Health Practitioner Regulation National Act of 2009
Legislation that outlines the legal and professional accountability of health practitioners, including nurses and midwives, to ensure safe and competent practice.
ETHICAL PRINCIPLES INCLUDE:
a. Beneficence, Non-Maleficence, Veracity and Accountability
b. Justice, Autonomy, Beneficence and Non-maleficence
c. Autonomy, Justice, Veracity and Professionalism
d. Virtues, Justice, Autonomy and Beneficence
ETHICAL PRINCIPLES INCLUDE:
a. Beneficence, Non-Maleficence, Veracity and Accountability
b. Justice, Autonomy, Beneficence and Non-maleficence
c. Autonomy, Justice, Veracity and Professionalism
d. Virtues, Justice, Autonomy and Beneficence
Definition
The branch of philosophy dealing with questions of good, bad, and moral duty, providing a framework for decision-making in difficult issues.
Define
Ethics
Which of the following is the best example of moral distress?
a. Expecting a year 1 nursing student to take a patient’s blood pressure
b. Allocating a nurse who has just finished their graduate year in charge of the ward because there is no one else.
c. Assisting an elderly patient to the shower
d. Talking to a patient who is the similar age as you
Which of the following is the best example of moral distress?
a. Expecting a year 1 nursing student to take a patient’s blood pressure
b. Allocating a nurse who has just finished their graduate year in charge of the ward because there is no one else.
c. Assisting an elderly patient to the shower
d. Talking to a patient who is the similar age as you
Definition
An ethical theory founded by Immanuel Kant, focusing on following duties and rules, where the means justify the ends, regardless of the outcomes.
Define
Deontology (Kantianism)
Define
Autonomy
The principle of self-rule, allowing individuals to make decisions without undue influence from others.
Definition
The principle of avoiding harm to patients.
Define
Non-maleficence
Define
Legislation (Parliamentary Law)
Laws created and passed by Parliament, also known as statutory laws.
In accordance with Johnstone’s recommendations (2019), Nurse Joan should use the following process to guide her moral decision making:
a. Psychological assessment, problem identification, establishment of goals, action
b. Evaluation of the moral outcomes of the action
c. Clinical assessment, medical diagnosis, goal setting, implementation of action, evaluation of action
d. Assessment, problem clarification, moral goal setting, implementation, evaluation
In accordance with Johnstone’s recommendations (2019), Nurse Joan should use the following process to guide her moral decision making:
a. Psychological assessment, problem identification, establishment of goals, action
b. Evaluation of the moral outcomes of the action
c. Clinical assessment, medical diagnosis, goal setting, implementation of action, evaluation of action
d. Assessment, problem clarification, moral goal setting, implementation, evaluation
WHAT IS CONSIDERED AS UNETHICAL PRACTICE FOR STUDENTS, NURSES AND MIDWIVES?
a. Refusing to care for a patient on ethical grounds
b. Accepting a box of chocolates from a patient
c. Being late for placement/work
d. Acting outside of your scope of practice
WHAT IS CONSIDERED AS UNETHICAL PRACTICE FOR STUDENTS, NURSES AND MIDWIVES?
a. Refusing to care for a patient on ethical grounds
b. Accepting a box of chocolates from a patient
c. Being late for placement/work
d. Acting outside of your scope of practice
Definition
Laws developed through judicial decisions and precedents rather than through legislative statutes.
Define
Common Law (Judge-Made Law)
Definition
The legislative branch of government responsible for making laws, consisting of elected representatives.
Define
Parliament (Legislature)
Define
Ethics
The branch of philosophy dealing with questions of good, bad, and moral duty, providing a framework for decision-making in difficult issues.
Definition
The legal framework in Australia consisting of three principal institutions: the executive, Parliament (legislature), and the courts (judiciary).
Define
Australian Legal System
Define
Common Law (Judge-Made Law)
Laws developed through judicial decisions and precedents rather than through legislative statutes.
Define
Parliament (Legislature)
The legislative branch of government responsible for making laws, consisting of elected representatives.
Definition
An ethical theory that judges actions by their consequences, aiming for the greatest good for the greatest number or the least harm for the greatest number.
Define
Teleology (Consequentialism)
Justice in healthcare is
a. is benefits of treatment must outweigh the risks
b. is the patient’s right to decide which treatments they do or do not receive
c. is equitable allocation of healthcare resources according to need, not wealth or race
d. is whatever is done or said will do the patient no harm
Justice in healthcare is
a. is benefits of treatment must outweigh the risks
b. is the patient’s right to decide which treatments they do or do not receive
c. is equitable allocation of healthcare resources according to need, not wealth or race
d. is whatever is done or said will do the patient no harm
Definition
Legislation that outlines the legal and professional accountability of health practitioners, including nurses and midwives, to ensure safe and competent practice.
Define
Health Practitioner Regulation National Act of 2009
Definition
An ethical theory that emphasizes acting as a virtuous person would, based on virtues rather than rules or consequences.
Define
Virtue Ethics
Define
Law
A set of socially sanctioned rules and principles that apply to everyone within a community, regulating behavior and including penalties for violations.
Definition
The branch of government consisting of the Governor General and ministers, responsible for implementing laws and administering public policy.
Define
Executive
Define
Bioethics
The study of ethical issues arising from biological nature and medical practice, involving decision-making, conduct, and policy in healthcare.
Define
Courts (Judiciary)
The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws and administering justice through legal decisions.
Define
Ethical Principlism
An approach in bioethics that uses four guiding principles (autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice) to make ethical decisions.
Define
Virtue Ethics
An ethical theory that emphasizes acting as a virtuous person would, based on virtues rather than rules or consequences.
Definition
A set of socially sanctioned rules and principles that apply to everyone within a community, regulating behavior and including penalties for violations.
Define
Law
Definition
The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws and administering justice through legal decisions.
Define
Courts (Judiciary)
When the Australian government enforced quarantining and recommending physical distancing measures to slow the incidence rate of COVID19 infection and maximise the likelihood that health services will be able to meet demand. This moral decision was an example of:
a. Utilitarianism
b. Deontology
c. Consequentialism
d. Virtuous caring
When the Australian government enforced quarantining and recommending physical distancing measures to slow the incidence rate of COVID19 infection and maximise the likelihood that health services will be able to meet demand. This moral decision was an example of:
a. Utilitarianism
b. Deontology
c. Consequentialism
d. Virtuous caring
Define
Justice
The principle of fair and equitable treatment for all individuals.
Q: What is the relevance of law and ethics in nursing and midwifery practice?
A: They provide a framework for making decisions, ensuring accountability, and maintaining patient safety.
Q: Name the three fundamental aspects of the Australian legal system.
A: Executive, Parliament (legislature), and the courts (judiciary).
Q: List the fundamental ethical theories explored in this lecture.
A: Deontological, teleological, moral theory, virtue ethics, and bioethics.
Q: What is ethics?
A: Ethics is a branch of philosophy dealing with questions of good, bad, and moral duty, providing a roadmap for decision-making in difficult issues.
Q: Why are ethical problems often complex?
A: Because ethics doesn’t always provide a clear right or wrong answer, leading to multiple perspectives and moral ambiguity.
Q: What is moral ambiguity?
A: The lack of a clear right or wrong answer in ethical problems, leading to challenging decisions and multiple perspectives.
Q: How do ethics and law differ?
A: Law is prescriptive with rules and penalties, while ethics is guiding, intrinsic, and subjective, requiring personal decision-making.
Q: Can ethics be universal for everyone?
A: No, ethics is not universal and can vary from person to person.
Q: What are the three principal institutions of the Australian legal system?
A: The executive, Parliament (legislature), and the courts (judiciary).
Q: What are the two key sources of law?
A: Legislation (parliamentary law) and common law (judge-made law).
Q: Why do nurses and midwives need to understand the Health Practitioner Regulation National Act of 2009?
A: It ensures they are legally and professionally accountable for their actions, maintaining patient safety and adherence to standards.
Q: What does teleology (consequentialism) judge actions by?
A: By their consequences, aiming for the greatest good for the greatest number or the least harm for the greatest number.
Q: Who founded deontology (Kantianism)?
A: Immanuel Kant.
Q: What is the focus of virtue ethics?
A: Acting as a virtuous person would, based on virtues rather than rules or consequences.
Q: What is bioethics?
A: The study of ethical issues arising from our biological nature and medical practice, involving decision-making, conduct, and policy in healthcare.
Q: List some major bioethical issues.
A: Abortion, voluntary assisted dying, organ donation, genetic engineering, and more.
Q: What is autonomy in ethical principlism?
A: Self-rule without undue influence from others.
Q: What is beneficence?
A: Doing good and acting in the best interest of patients.
Q: What does non-maleficence mean?
A: Avoiding harm to patients.
Q: What is the principle of justice?
A: Fair and equitable treatment for all individuals.
