Week 3

Question 1

rationality

Answer 1

related to the notion of thinking and reasoning. It is associated with comprehension, intelligence, or inference, especially when an inference or a conclusion can be made from a thought process.

Question 2

ethics

Answer 2

philosophical study of morality, is the systematic exploration of what is morally right and morally wrong. The study of ethics enables us to recognize and evaluate the variables that influence our moral decisions, our obligations, our character, our sense of responsibility, our sense of justice, and the nature of the good life.

Question 3

ethical theory

Answer 3

the study of the nature and justification of general ethical principles that can be applied to moral problems. Provides more rigorous and systematic approach about how we make decisions about what is right and wrong.

Question 4

biomedical ethics

Answer 4

explore the ethical questions and moral issues associated with health care.

Question 5

nursing ethics

Answer 5

focuses on the moral questions within the sphere of nursing practice, the nurse-patient or nurse-client relationship, the moral character of nurses and the nurse as a moral agent.

Question 6

applied ethics

Answer 6

is the field of ethics in which these theories and principles are applied to actual moral problems.

Question 7

morality

Answer 7

the tradition of beliefs and norms within a culture or society about right and wrong human conduct. It includes non-normative and normative approaches.

Question 8

non-normative ethics

Answer 8

include fields of descriptive ethics and meta-ethics. Descriptive ethics gathers factual descriptions and explanations of moral behaviours and beliefs looking at a wide range of moral beliefs and behaviours: moral attitude, codes, beliefs. Meta-ethics analyzes the meanings of terms such as right, obligation, good, and cultures.

Question 9

normative ethics

Answer 9

attempts are made to identify the basic principles and virtues that guide morality.

Question 10

ethical dilemmas

Answer 10

arise when the best course of action is unclear and when strong moral reasons support each position. The involved parties must choose between the most right and the least wrong

Question 11

moral distress

Answer 11

results when we are not able to face these issues and deal effectively with them.

Question 12

ethical theories

Answer 12

: provide a framework of principles and guidelines to help identify ethical issues and reconcile problems or conflict.

Question 13

values influence

Answer 13

individual beliefs and opinions
behaviours, rituals, rules, and laws as a collective society
decisions and responses as nurses

Question 14

values can shift over time examples

Answer 14

quality of life over prolonging life

individual rights over health care decisions

Question 15

value conflicts

Answer 15

Arise when personal actions or the actions of others are at odds with beliefs
Can arise when professionals disagree on how a situation should be managed
May result in moral distress, so it is important to establish processes to
understand personal values

Question 16

value clarification

Answer 16

An ongoing process through which individuals come to understand the values they hold and their relative importance
The process requires
open discussion
active listening
mutual respect

Question 17

Teleological theories

Answer 17

consider outcomes and consequences (immediate and long term) of decisions and actions

Question 18

Utilitarianism has been used to evaluate

Answer 18

decisions such as withdrawal of treatment. The consequences are not only considered in relation to the patient, but also to the family, the health professionals involved, and society.

Question 19

W.D Ross

Answer 19

A British philosopher who, in an attempt to resolve the problem of conflicting duties in Kantian ethics, developed a more pluralistic theory
His revised theory identified prima facie duties that must override other duties
for example, sanctity of life would have priority over truth telling

Question 20

According to Beauchamps and Childress (2001), the important principles commonly applied to ethical challenges in health care include:

Answer 20

Sanctity of life
Autonomy
Nonmaleficence
Beneficience
Justice
Fidelity
Veracity

Question 21

autonomy is founded on

Answer 21

respect for persons, is based on the notion that human beings have worth and moral dignity not possessed by other creatures.

Question 22

respect for autonomy also means granting individuals with

Answer 22

the right to privacy and confidentiality.

Question 23

autonomy assumes

Answer 23

the person is competent; has the ability to decide rationally, and the ability to act upon those decisions and choices. Autonomy assumes voluntariness, which means having the freedom to make choices.

Question 24

four hierarchical elements of nonmaleficence

Answer 24

One ought not to inflict evil or harm.
One ought to prevent evil or harm.
One ought to remove evil or harm.
One ought to do or promote good.

Question 25

beneficence

Answer 25

Obliges individuals to make positive moves that produce good or benefit for others
Asserts that individuals should help others in need and help others further legitimate interests.

Question 26

In health care, justice is fundamental to

Answer 26

issues associated with the allocation of resources and rationing in times of diminishing resources.

Question 27

_____ is the foundation of the nurse patient relationship

Answer 27

fidelity

Question 28

veracity

Answer 28

duty to tell the truth