Leik Chapter 26 - Beneficence, non maleficience, fidelity, justice

What is beneficence?

DO GOOD; acting in the patient's best interest. Example: educating pt about a new medication and how to take it. Encouraging patient to stop smoking and enroll in smoking cessation programs

What is nonmaleficence?

DO NO HARM; avoiding actions that could harm the patient.

What is veracity?

TELL THE TRUTH; giving the patient honest and accurate information.

What is justice?

BE FAIR; treating patients equally and distributing healthcare resources fairly. example: Homeless alcohoic has no health insurance present to the ED will be treated the same as the insured patient.

What is autonomy? ::

PATIENT CHOOSES; respecting the patient's right to make their own healthcare decisions.

What is fidelity? ::

KEEP YOUR PROMISE; being faithful to commitments made to the patient.

What is confidentiality?

KEEP IT PRIVATE; protecting the patient's personal health information.

An NP recommends a treatment because it will improve the patient's health. Which ethical principle?

BENEFICENCE — Do good.

An NP avoids prescribing a medication that could seriously harm the patient. Which ethical principle?

NONMALEFICENCE — Do no harm - avoid harm protect the patient

An NP tells a patient that a biopsy result shows cancer rather than hiding the diagnosis. Which ethical principle? ::

VERACITY — Tell the truth. Example: The son does not want the mother to be informed about mammogram results. The NP has a duty to tell the mother.

Two patients with the same medical need receive the same quality of care regardless of income. Which ethical principle?

JUSTICE — Be fair.

A competent patient refuses a blood transfusion after understanding the risks. The NP respects the decision. Which ethical principle? ::

AUTONOMY — Patient chooses.

An NP promises to call a patient with laboratory results and follows through. Which ethical principle?

FIDELITY — Keep your promise. Build trust, dedication and loyalty in the patient-provider relationship.

An NP does not discuss a patient's diagnosis with unauthorized people. Which ethical principle?

CONFIDENTIALITY — Keep it private.

A patient refuses chemotherapy even though the NP believes it would help. Which principle should the NP respect?

AUTONOMY — The competent patient has the right to refuse treatment.

An NP provides pain medication to relieve a patient's suffering. Which ethical principle?

BENEFICENCE — Promote good/do no harm.

An NP carefully checks a patient's allergies before prescribing an antibiotic to prevent harm. Which ethical principle?

NONMALEFICENCE — Avoid harm. Protecting the patient from harm

An NP explains both the benefits and risks of a procedure honestly. Which ethical principle?

VERACITY — Tell the truth. Obligation to present information honestly to the patient so they can make informed decisions.

A clinic provides the same access to care regardless of race, sex, or socioeconomic status. Which ethical principle? ::

JUSTICE — Be fair and acting with a lack of bias

What is Utilitarianism?

MOST GOOD for MOST PEOPLE: Example: there are limited vaccines → give them in a way that protects/saves the most people.

What is meant by Dignity?

Treat every patient with RESPECT and VALUE as a person. “Treat me like I matter.” Example: Providing privacy during personal care and respecting a patient's beliefs and choices.

Accountability

Take RESPONSIBILITY for your actions and decisions.

Exam clue: A nurse accepts responsibility for a mistake and takes appropriate action to correct/report it