Chapter 3: Ethical and Legal Issues

Serves as one's personal basis for right or wrong behaviors.

Morals

Power to which one has a just claim.

Rights

To do no harm

Nonmaleficence

Shared set of rules that govern right behavior

Ethics

Controls by which a society governs itself

Laws

"She's a nasty old lady who bites"

Slander

"If you don't cooperate, I'll call the techs and we will lock you up"

Assault

Leaving a suicidal client unattended and he harms himself

Malpractice

Searching a client's belongings without permission

Invasion of privacy

Charting a medication that was not actually gived

Fraud

A man from the local newspaper calls and wants to know the condition of a client on the unit. The caregiver refuses to share any information with the reporter and notifies her supervisor.

Confidentiatlity

The nurse encourages the client to participate in informed decision making by answering his questions and providing him with educational materials.

Autonomy

The care providers are careful to ensure that clients will not be harmed during care.

Nonmalefcience

Every caregiver on the unit is careful to treat each client equally, fairly, and respectfully.

Justice

The technician charted that the client had a problem with drinking, and, as a result, the client was fired from her job.

Libel

The nurse locks the client in his room because of his constant wanderings.

False Imprisonment

Order the steps for resolving ethical dilemmas:

1. Identify all elements of the situation.

2. Assume good will

3. Gather relevant information

4. List and order values

5. Take action

List three areas of potential liability for nurses and other care providers:

1. Problems with controlled substances

2. Fraud

3. Assault