Week 3 Flashcards
rationality
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.
ethics
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.
ethical theory
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.
biomedical ethics
explore the ethical questions and moral issues associated with health care.
nursing ethics
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.
applied ethics
is the field of ethics in which these theories and principles are applied to actual moral problems.
morality
the tradition of beliefs and norms within a culture or society about right and wrong human conduct. It includes non-normative and normative approaches.
non-normative ethics
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.
normative ethics
attempts are made to identify the basic principles and virtues that guide morality.
ethical dilemmas
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
moral distress
results when we are not able to face these issues and deal effectively with them.
ethical theories
: provide a framework of principles and guidelines to help identify ethical issues and reconcile problems or conflict.
values influence
individual beliefs and opinions
behaviours, rituals, rules, and laws as a collective society
decisions and responses as nurses
values can shift over time examples
quality of life over prolonging life
individual rights over health care decisions
value conflicts
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
value clarification
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
Teleological theories
consider outcomes and consequences (immediate and long term) of decisions and actions
Utilitarianism has been used to evaluate
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.
W.D Ross
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
According to Beauchamps and Childress (2001), the important principles commonly applied to ethical challenges in health care include:
Sanctity of life Autonomy Nonmaleficence Beneficience Justice Fidelity Veracity
autonomy is founded on
respect for persons, is based on the notion that human beings have worth and moral dignity not possessed by other creatures.
respect for autonomy also means granting individuals with
the right to privacy and confidentiality.
autonomy assumes
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.
four hierarchical elements of nonmaleficence
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.
beneficence
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.
In health care, justice is fundamental to
issues associated with the allocation of resources and rationing in times of diminishing resources.
_____ is the foundation of the nurse patient relationship
fidelity
veracity
duty to tell the truth
