Topic 4 Flashcards

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Autonomy

A patient’s right to self-determination and informed choice without coercion.

Beneficence

The ethical duty to do good and promote the patient’s welfare.

Nonmaleficence

The obligation to avoid causing harm; expressed in the maxim “do no harm.”

Justice

The ethical principle of fairness and equal distribution of resources or care.

Veracity

The duty to tell the truth and foster trust in professional relationships.

Utilitarian (Goal-Based) Model

Ethical framework judging actions by outcomes and choosing what produces the greatest good for the greatest number.

Duty-Based (Deontological) Model

Ethical approach focused on inherent duties and respect for human dignity, regardless of consequences.

Rights-Based Model

Ethical view asserting that basic human rights guide duties of healthcare providers.

Ethical Dilemma

A situation in which two or more ethically correct options conflict, producing no single clear solution.

Moral Distress

The discomfort felt when one knows the right action but is constrained from taking it.

Moral Uncertainty

Doubt about which moral principles apply or whether a problem is even ethical.

Critical Thinking

Purposeful, analytical reasoning that uses specific cognitive skills to make clinical decisions.

Clinical Judgment

Integration of research, expertise, and patient preferences to decide and act in care.

Recognizing Cues

First step in clinical judgment: noticing relevant clinical data.

Analyzing Cues

Interpreting gathered information to identify relationships and significance.

Values Clarification

Process of identifying, examining, and prioritizing one’s own and the patient’s beliefs.

Cognitive Dissonance

Mental discomfort from holding conflicting values or information simultaneously.

Advance Directive

Legal document expressing a person’s healthcare wishes if decision-making capacity is lost.

Living Will

Type of advance directive specifying treatments an individual wants or refuses at end of life.

Healthcare Power of Attorney

Designation of a surrogate to make medical decisions when the patient cannot.

Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA)

1991 U.S. law requiring facilities to inform patients of rights to advance directives.

Informed Consent

Voluntary, competent permission for treatment given after sufficient risk–benefit explanation.

Confidentiality

Legal and ethical duty to protect private patient information acquired during care.

HIPAA

1996 U.S. federal act setting national standards for privacy and security of health information.

Social Media Guidelines for Nurses

ANA/NCSBN principles that prohibit posting identifiable patient data and stress professional boundaries online.

Ethics Committee

Multidisciplinary group that offers consultation and support in complex moral cases.

Professional Values

Core standards such as human dignity, integrity, autonomy, altruism, and social justice adopted by nurses.

ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses

International ethical framework outlining nurses’ responsibilities to people, practice, co-workers, and the profession.

ANA Code of Ethics

Authoritative statement of nursing’s ethical obligations and professional ideals in the United States.

Early Action Ethics Protocol

Structured ICU approach to identify ethical concerns early, promote family conferences, and increase palliative consultations.

Moral Courage

The willingness to speak up and act ethically despite fear of negative consequences.

CODE Model

Lachman’s moral courage steps: Courage, Obligation to honor, Danger management, Expression & action.

SBAR

Structured communication tool: Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation.

CUS Method

Assertive communication strategy: state Concern, express why Uncomfortable, identify the Safety issue.

Distributive Justice

Fair allocation of scarce healthcare resources among patients or populations.

Unnecessary Treatment

Interventions lacking clear benefit that may waste resources or risk patient harm.

Social Worth

Controversial justice concept weighing a person’s societal value when allocating limited resources.

Critical Thinking Step 1 – Clarify Concepts

Determine if a problem exists and identify assumptions before acting.

Critical Thinking Step 5 – Identify Significant Problem

Analyze data, infer possible diagnoses, and prioritize issues needing intervention.

P.A.R. Model

Decision-making cycle: Process information, Act using clinical knowledge, Reflect on outcomes.

Risk Management

Systematic efforts to identify and eliminate potential safety hazards in healthcare settings.

Occurrence Policy

Liability insurance covering any incident that happened while the policy was in force, regardless of claim date.

Claims-Made Policy

Insurance covering incidents only if both the event and the claim occur during the policy period (or reporting tail).

Early Action Family Conference

Meeting held soon after ICU admission to discuss goals of care and address ethical concerns.

Professional Boundary

Limits separating professional nursing behaviors from personal involvement with patients.

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

Integration of best research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values in care decisions.

Clinical Simulation

Educational strategy using realistic scenarios to practice critical thinking and ethical decision-making.