Bioethics in Nursing – Lecture Review

These flashcards cover key definitions, principles, historical waves, and applications of bioethics in nursing as presented in the lecture.

What is bioethics often described as in the lecture?

The living study of the conduct of human life.

What is nursing’s raison d’être according to the lecture?

To care for life and improve the quality of life of the clients nurses care for.

According to Beauchamp and Childress (1994), how is morality defined?

Social conventions about right and wrong conduct that are so widely shared they form a stable communal consensus.

What is the meaning of common morality?

Socially approved norms of human conduct.

Which wave of bioethics focuses on the principle of justice?

Wave I.

In health care, how does the principle of justice apply to patients and professionals?

Patients have the right to receive care, and health professionals have the obligation to provide it.

Which historical figure and concept characterize Wave II of bioethics?

Hippocrates and medical paternalism.

What is medical paternalism?

The belief that physicians should act in the patient’s best interest, even if that means overriding the patient’s wishes.

How does the lecture define autonomy?

The ability to freely act in accordance with a self-chosen plan, analogous to an independent government setting its own policies.

Which wave of bioethics introduced the principle of autonomy?

Wave III, associated with New Testament teachings of Jesus Christ.

What new capability does autonomy grant patients?

The freedom to seek other opinions to confirm or enhance what a physician advises.

Which wave is associated with compassion and veracity?

Wave IV.

Name the three elements that establish credibility in media communication, as discussed under Wave IV.

Logia (truthful content), Pathos (empathy), and Ethos (moral correctness).

Why is veracity considered a strength in bioethics?

Because truthfulness is necessary to inspire genuine empathy and compassion.

Which wave emphasizes sharing and allocation of resources?

Wave V.

Give one example from the lecture illustrating the need for resource sharing in Wave V.

Individuals dying because they cannot afford essential medicines.

How does the lecture summarize the historical development of bioethics?

It progressed from justice to paternalism, autonomy, compassion and veracity, and finally sharing and allocation of resources.

Across all waves, what overarching value remains integrated in bioethics?

Respect for life from conception to death.