Ethics and Legal issues

What is beneficence?

The ethical duty to do good and act in the patient's best interest.

What is the keyword for beneficence?

Do Good.

A nurse practitioner recommends a flu vaccine to prevent illness. Which ethical principle is demonstrated?

Beneficence.

A provider spends extra time teaching a newly diagnosed diabetic patient how to prevent complications. Which ethical principle is demonstrated?

Beneficence.

What is nonmaleficence?

The ethical duty to do no harm and avoid causing unnecessary injury.

What is the keyword for nonmaleficence?

Do No Harm.

A patient has a severe penicillin allergy. The provider avoids prescribing amoxicillin. Which ethical principle is demonstrated?

Nonmaleficence.

A provider decides not to perform an unnecessary procedure because the risks outweigh the benefits. Which ethical principle is demonstrated?

Nonmaleficence.

What is justice?

Treating all patients fairly and equally regardless of race, age, religion, gender, or financial status.

What is the keyword for justice?

Fairness.

A clinic schedules patients based on medical urgency instead of insurance status. Which ethical principle is demonstrated?

Justice.

Two patients need the last ICU bed. The bed is given to the patient with the greatest medical need using hospital policy. Which ethical principle is demonstrated?

Justice.

What is confidentiality?

Protecting a patient's private health information and sharing it only with authorized individuals.

What is the keyword for confidentiality?

Privacy.

A nurse refuses to discuss a patient's diagnosis with a neighbor. Which ethical principle is demonstrated?

Confidentiality.

A patient's medical record is accessed only by healthcare providers involved in the patient's care. Which ethical principle is demonstrated?

Confidentiality.

What is dignity?

Respecting the worth, value, and individuality of every patient.

What is the keyword for dignity?

Respect.

A nurse closes the curtain before performing a physical examination to protect the patient's privacy. Which ethical principle is demonstrated?

Dignity.

A provider addresses a patient respectfully despite the patient's difficult behavior. Which ethical principle is demonstrated?

Dignity.

What is autonomy?

The patient's right to make informed decisions about their own healthcare.

What is the keyword for autonomy?

Patient Choice.

A competent adult refuses chemotherapy after understanding the risks and benefits. Which ethical principle is demonstrated?

Autonomy.

A Jehovah's Witness refuses a blood transfusion after being informed of the risks. Which ethical principle is demonstrated?

Autonomy.

What is accountability?

Being responsible for one's professional actions and accepting the consequences.

What is the keyword for accountability?

Responsibility.

A nurse realizes they gave the wrong medication and immediately reports the error. Which ethical principle is demonstrated?

Accountability.

A provider documents an error honestly and follows hospital policy to protect the patient. Which ethical principle is demonstrated?

Accountability.

What is veracity?

The ethical duty to tell the truth.

What is the keyword for veracity?

Honesty.

A provider truthfully explains the risks of surgery before the patient signs consent. Which ethical principle is demonstrated?

Veracity.

A patient asks if a medication may cause hair loss. The provider answers honestly. Which ethical principle is demonstrated?

Veracity.

What is malpractice?

Professional negligence that causes harm because the healthcare provider failed to meet the standard of care.

What four elements must be present to prove malpractice?

Duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages.

A provider fails to diagnose appendicitis despite classic symptoms, and the appendix ruptures causing permanent injury. What legal concept does this represent?

Malpractice.

What is informed consent?

The provider explains the risks, benefits, alternatives, and the patient voluntarily agrees before treatment.

Who is responsible for obtaining informed consent?

The healthcare provider performing the procedure.

Can a nurse obtain informed consent?

The nurse may witness the signature but does not obtain informed consent.

A patient signs a consent form after the provider explains the risks, benefits, alternatives, and answers all questions. What legal concept is demonstrated?

Informed Consent.

What is an advance directive?

A legal document stating a person's healthcare wishes if they become unable to make decisions.

What is the purpose of an advance directive?

To guide healthcare providers and family regarding the patient's wishes.

What is a living will?

A legal document that describes which life-sustaining treatments a person wants or does not want if terminally ill or permanently unconscious.

A patient states they do not want CPR, mechanical ventilation, or feeding tubes if they become terminally ill. Which document contains these wishes?

Living Will.

What is a durable power of attorney for healthcare?

A legal document that appoints someone to make healthcare decisions if the patient loses decision-making capacity.

What is the difference between a living will and a durable power of attorney?

A living will states treatment wishes. A durable power of attorney names the person who will make healthcare decisions.

A patient develops severe dementia and can no longer make medical decisions. Who makes healthcare decisions if the patient has completed a durable power of attorney?

The healthcare agent named in the durable power of attorney.

A patient has both a living will and a durable power of attorney. Which document tells the provider exactly what treatments the patient wants?

Living Will.

A patient has both a living will and a durable power of attorney. Which document identifies who will make decisions if the patient cannot?

Durable Power of Attorney.

A competent adult refuses life-saving treatment after understanding the consequences. Which ethical principle applies?

Autonomy.

A provider recommends the treatment that offers the greatest benefit to the patient. Which ethical principle applies?

Beneficence.

A provider avoids prescribing a medication because it could seriously harm the patient. Which ethical principle applies?

Nonmaleficence.

A provider treats every patient equally regardless of socioeconomic status. Which ethical principle applies?

Justice.

A provider keeps a patient's diagnosis private. Which ethical principle applies?

Confidentiality.

A provider always tells the patient the truth, even when the news is difficult. Which ethical principle applies?

Veracity.

A nurse accepts responsibility for a medication error and reports it immediately. Which ethical principle applies?

Accountability.

A nurse protects a patient's privacy during an examination and treats them respectfully. Which ethical principle applies?

Dignity.