Nursing 350: Prof Role 2 Exam 1- Legal and Ethical Concepts, Lecture 1

ethics

A branch of philosophy concerned with evaluating human action; the science or study of moral values.

Do no harm.

What is the guiding principle of ethics in healthcare?

bioethics

The study of moral issues in healthcare, focusing on right vs. wrong and good vs. bad.

the answer might depend on the situation.

How might ethical answers vary in bioethics?

The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient.

What does the ANA Code of Ethics emphasize as the nurse's primary commitment?

The American Nurses Association (ANA).

Who composes and publishes the Code of Ethics for Nurses?

Nurses must prioritize the patient above all else.

What ethical issue is highlighted by the ANA Code of Ethics?

Ethical standards and a guide for ethical decision making and analyzing ethical dilemmas.

What does the Code of Ethics establish for nurses?

The Code of Ethics.

What is the basic foundation of nursing?

Groups that assist in decision-making based on the patient's best interest. Topics include end-of-life issues, informed consent, and organ donation

What are ethics committees, and what do they focus on?

Nurses, social workers, physicians, and board members (elected or appointed).

Who typically makes up ethics committees?

Why do we act the way we do?

What constitutes good and evil, ethical and unethical?

How do differing cultures embrace values?

How are we guided in our decision making?

How will the ethics of care affect our professional performance?

What types of questions are asked when engaging with humanity in ethics?

The nurse practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person.

What does Provision 1 of the ANA Code of Ethics state?

The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient—whether an individual, family, group, community, or population.

What does Provision 2 of the ANA Code of Ethics state?

The nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of the patient.

What does Provision 3 of the ANA Code of Ethics state?

The nurse has authority, accountability, and responsibility for nursing practice; makes decisions; and takes actions consistent with the obligation to provide optimal patient care.

What does Provision 4 of the ANA Code of Ethics state?

The nurse owes the same duties to self as to others, including promoting health and safety, preserving character and integrity, maintaining competence, and continuing personal and professional growth.

What does Provision 5 of the ANA Code of Ethics state?

The nurse, through individual and collective effort, establishes, maintains, and improves the ethical environment and work conditions that support safe, quality health care.

What does Provision 6 of the ANA Code of Ethics state?

The nurse, in all roles and settings, advances the profession through research, scholarly inquiry, professional standards development, and the generation of nursing and health policy.

What does Provision 7 of the ANA Code of Ethics state?

The nurse collaborates with other health professionals and the public to protect human rights, promote health diplomacy, and reduce health disparities.

What does Provision 8 of the ANA Code of Ethics state?

Nursing, collectively through professional organizations, must articulate nursing values, maintain integrity, and integrate social justice into nursing and health policy.

What does Provision 9 of the ANA Code of Ethics state?

- Global health and environmental well-being

- Health care reform

-Health disparities, uninsured, poverty

- Influence of pharmaceutical industries

- Nursing shortage and staffing strikes

- End-of-life issues

- Rationing of care (nurse-patient ratios, pandemic issues)

- Drug/alcohol impairment and underfunded mental health

What are examples of current ethical issues in nursing (2025)?

The right of self-determination; independence and freedom from controlling influences. Each person is unique and equal. Nurses must provide information to support informed decisions (e.g., consent, living wills).

What is autonomy in nursing ethics?

The obligation to do good and prevent harm. Nurses act in the patient's best interest by providing care that benefits well-being (e.g., fall prevention, repositioning, 5 rights of medication).

What is beneficence in nursing ethics?

The prohibition of intentional harm; the duty to avoid or prevent harm. Nurses must not provide negligent care, must report harmful behaviors, and ensure patients are not worse off from care.

What is nonmaleficence in nursing ethics?

Fair and equitable treatment; the fair distribution of benefits and burdens. Requires fairness, no favoritism, and equitable resource distribution.

What is justice in nursing ethics?

The obligation to be faithful to commitments and responsibilities. Involves faithfulness, loyalty, accountability, and follow-through (e.g., reporting a med error promptly).

What is fidelity in nursing ethics?

Truth-telling; not deceiving or misleading patients. Nurses must be open and honest with patients and colleagues (e.g., giving accurate handoff reports, explaining diagnoses and treatments honestly).

What is veracity in nursing ethics?

utilitarianism (theory of utility)

A consequentialist, outcome-focused theory: the best decision is one that brings the greatest good for the greatest number. (Ex: distributing healthcare providers to areas of most need.)

deontology

A duty-based ethical system where actions are judged by intrinsic good, not consequences. All people deserve equal respect; actions should be guided by duty and good will.

An approach supporting justice and equal rights for all. It emphasizes giving preferential benefit to the most disadvantaged person.

What is the theory of social justice in ethics?

Ethics is fluid and not clear cut; decisions often involve uncertainty, unpopular choices, or conflicts (e.g., coworkers, providers, patients, families)

Why are ethical challenges difficult in nursing?

Ineffective treatment that has no physiologic benefit for dying patients. Interventions beyond comfort care are not ethically required.

What is futile care in ethics?

blood transfusions, mechanical ventilation, artificial feeding, chemotherapy, dialysis, CPR, certain medications.

What are examples of withdrawing or withholding treatment?

Beneficence and nonmaleficence.

Which ethical principles support withdrawing or withholding futile treatment?

- Think before responding

- Recognize you always have a choice

- Consider religious/cultural viewpoints

- Conduct a thorough health history

- Use good communication skills

- Remember: the issue is about the patient, not the nurse

What are key steps in applying ethical principles in nursing?

Nurses ranked highest in honesty and ethical standards for over 20 years; 78% rated nurses "very high" or "high" in honesty.

according to the 2024 Gallup Poll, how is nursing viewed by the public?

Because nurses are seen as professionals who prioritize patients' best interests.

Why does the public trust nurses as advocates?

C. Provision 8

A nurse is caring for a patient from a marginalized community and advocates for equitable access to healthcare resources. Which ANA Provision is the nurse upholding?

A. Provision 6

B. Provision 7

C. Provision 8

D. Provision 9

B. Provision 7

A nurse researcher conducts a study to reduce hospital-acquired infections and publishes the findings in a peer-reviewed journal. This action best represents which ANA Provision?

A. Provision 4

B. Provision 7

C. Provision 8

D. Provision 9

B. Justice

During a staff meeting, a nurse raises concerns about unsafe staffing ratios and advocates for policy change to improve patient safety. Which ethical principle is the nurse demonstrating?

A. Fidelity

B. Justice

C. Nonmaleficence

D. Autonomy

A. Autonomy

A patient with terminal illness requests the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. The nurse supports this request while ensuring the patient understands the consequences. Which ethical principle is upheld?

A. Autonomy

B. Beneficence

C. Veracity

D. Justice

A. Veracity

A nurse recognizes that giving a placebo without patient consent violates which ethical principle?

A. Veracity

B. Fidelity

C. Beneficence

D. Justice

A. Provision 5

A nurse chooses to work an extra shift despite being fatigued, leading to a medication error. This situation reflects a violation of which ANA Provision?

A. Provision 5

B. Provision 6

C. Provision 7

D. Provision 9

C. Social Justice

A nurse leader promotes policies to reduce health disparities in underserved populations. This action is an example of:

A. Deontology

B. Utilitarianism

C. Social Justice

D. Fidelity

B. Utilitarianism

Which ethical theory is applied when allocating limited ventilators during a pandemic to save the most lives?

A. Deontology

B. Utilitarianism

C. Social Justice

D. Fidelity

B. Nonmaleficence

A nurse reports a colleague who is under the influence of alcohol while providing patient care. This action aligns most with which ethical principle?

A. Beneficence

B. Nonmaleficence

C. Fidelity

D. Justice

C. Autonomy

A patient asks a nurse not to disclose their HIV status to family members. Respecting this request demonstrates which ethical principle?

A. Veracity

B. Fidelity

C. Autonomy

D. Justice

B. Fidelity

A nurse tells a patient they will return in 10 minutes with pain medication, and they follow through promptly. Which ethical principle is demonstrated?

A. Beneficence

B. Fidelity

C. Justice

D. Veracity

D. Provision 9

A nurse participates in a professional organization to help shape nursing standards and advocate for health policy reform. This reflects which ANA Provision?

A. Provision 6

B. Provision 7

C. Provision 8

D. Provision 9

B. Futile care

A nurse recognizes that continuing aggressive chemotherapy in a patient with no chance of recovery would be considered:

A. Beneficence

B. Futile care

C. Justice

D. Veracity

B. Nonmaleficence

Which ethical principle requires nurses to avoid intentional harm and report unsafe practices?

A. Justice

B. Nonmaleficence

C. Autonomy

D. Fidelity

B. Autonomy

A nurse educates patients about their treatment options, ensuring they fully understand before signing consent forms. Which ethical principle is this?

A. Veracity

B. Autonomy

C. Beneficence

D. Fidelity