Nursing Ethics and Patient Care

These flashcards cover essential concepts of nursing ethics, patient autonomy, and the nursing process, designed to aid in exam preparation.

What is patient autonomy?

The right of patients to make informed choices about their own healthcare.

What must a healthcare provider do when a patient refuses treatment?

Explain the risks and consequences associated with refusing treatment.

Define beneficence in healthcare.

The ethical principle of doing good or acting in the best interest of the patient.

What does nonmaleficence mean?

The ethical principle of not causing harm to the patient.

How do beneficence and nonmaleficence differ?

Beneficence involves acts of kindness and promoting well-being; nonmaleficence means avoiding harm.

What is justice in healthcare?

Providing fair and equal treatment to all patients regardless of their background.

Explain the principle of fidelity in nursing.

The ethical obligation to keep promises and commitments to patients.

What is veracity in healthcare?

The obligation to tell the truth to patients.

What is moral distress?

The psychological discomfort that arises when a nurse feels unable to act according to their ethical beliefs.

How should nurses handle ethical dilemmas?

Consult with the healthcare team or legal services for guidance.

What is the purpose of the nursing process in care?

To provide a systematic method for delivering patient-centered care.

Define assessment in the nursing process.

The systematic collection of data regarding a patient’s health status.

What are the two types of data collected during assessment?

Subjective data (what the patient reports) and objective data (what the nurse observes or measures).

What does ADPIE stand for in nursing?

Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation.

What is nursing diagnosis?

A clinical judgment about individual, family, or community responses to actual or potential health problems.

What is the planning phase of the nursing process?

Setting goals and determining interventions to address the patient's nursing diagnosis.

Explain implementation in nursing care.

Executing the planned interventions and ensuring they are carried out properly.

What is evaluation in nursing?

Determining the effectiveness of the interventions and adjusting the care plan as needed.

What does SMART stand for in goal setting?

Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.

What is confidentiality in nursing?

The ethical principle of keeping patient information private and secure.

What is the role of the nurse advocate?

To represent and protect the patient's rights and needs.

What is the nurse practice act?

Laws governing nursing practice and the standards to ensure safe care.

Explain the difference between direct and indirect patient care.

Direct care involves hands-on activities with the patient; indirect care includes documentation or communication about the patient.

What is the significance of professional accountability?

Being responsible for one’s actions and decisions in patient care.

Why is it important to document patient care?

Documentation ensures continuity of care and provides a legal record of the nursing actions taken.

What are instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)?

Tasks that support daily life and may require more complex decision-making, like managing finances.

What does the term 'chain of command' refer to in healthcare?

A hierarchical structure that outlines who to approach for problem-solving and decision-making.

What should a nurse do if a patient’s wishes conflict with their own moral beliefs?

Respect the patient’s wishes while seeking guidance from ethical and legal resources.

What is interdisciplinary communication in nursing?

Collaboration and communication among healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care.

What defines a high fall-risk patient?

A patient who has a greater likelihood of falling due to medical, environmental, or personal factors.

What should a nurse do if a minor refuses a medical intervention that a guardian agrees to?

Consider the minor's understanding and wishes while consulting legal or ethical guidance.