Ethical and Legal Issues in Nursing Flashcards

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering the ethical and legal principles, models, and legislations relevant to nursing practice and management.

Moral Distress

Occurs when faced with situations in which two ethical principles compete, or when nurses cannot provide what they perceive is the best care for a given patient.

Deontological Approach

A duty-focused normative approach to ethical decision making centered on rules from which all action is derived.

Teleological Approach

An outcome-focused approach to ethical decision making that places emphasis on results and protects the interest of the majority.

Autonomy

An ethical principle involving the right to self-determination and freedom of choice.

Beneficence

An ethical principle focused on doing good and providing benefit to others.

Paternalism

An ethical principle where one person makes decisions for another, often limiting that person's autonomy.

Veracity

An ethical principle synonymous with truth telling.

Fidelity

An ethical principle regarding faithfulness, keeping promises, and loyalty.

Confidentiality

The right to privacy of the medical record and the protection of sensitive information.

MORAL Decision-Making Model

A framework developed by Crisham ($1985$) consisting of: M—Massage the dilemma, O—Outline options, R—Review criteria and resolve, A—Affirm position and act, L—Look back.

Code of Ethics

A set of principles established by a profession to guide practitioners, with the first nursing version adopted by the ANA in $1950$.

Nurse Practice Acts

Legislation that defines nurse categories, sets educational and examination requirements, and establishes state boards of nursing.

Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)

An agreement allowing RNs to be licensed in one state and practice in another, with the state where the patient resides regulating the practice.

Negligence

Nonintentional actions or omissions that equate with carelessness.

Malpractice

Professional negligence concerning professional actions or omissions taken by a practitioner.

Foreseeability

The legal concept that certain events may reasonably be expected to cause specific results based on education and prior knowledge.

Causation

The requirement that what a nurse did or failed to do must directly cause the patient's subsequent harm.

Damages

Compensation for an injured party to cover harm done, including immediate and future medical costs.

Qualified Privilege

Communication made in good faith between entities with a need to know, used by managers when warning potential employers of staff incompetencies.

Informed Consent

Authorization by a patient or representative based on legal capacity, voluntary action, and comprehension.

Privacy

The patient’s right to protection against unreasonable interference with reputation or the right to be left alone.

Americans with Disabilities Act of $1990$

Federal law providing protection to persons with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)

Ensures healthful and safe working conditions, addressing issues like violence, bullying, and safe patient handling.

Family and Medical Leave Act of $1993$

Legislation that allows individuals to take leaves for medical reasons to balance workplace and family demands.

Ethics Committee

An group that provides structure for potential problems, serves as an open forum for discussion, and functions as patient advocates.