Introduction to Bioethics in Nursing Practice: Principles, Theories, and Ethical Decision-Making

What is bioethics?

A branch of ethics that deals with issues related to life, health, and medical care.

Why is bioethics important in nursing?

It provides a framework for moral reasoning and professional judgment, essential for patient advocacy.

What does autonomy in bioethics refer to?

Respecting the patient's right to make their own decisions.

Give an example of autonomy.

A competent adult refusing a blood transfusion due to religious beliefs.

What is beneficence?

The ethical principle of doing good and acting in the patient's best interest.

Provide an example of beneficence.

Providing pain relief even if it does not cure the disease.

Define non-maleficence.

The ethical principle of 'do no harm.'

What is an example of non-maleficence?

Avoiding unnecessary invasive procedures.

What does justice mean in bioethics?

Fairness in the distribution of resources and care.

Give an example of justice.

Providing equal care to patients regardless of socioeconomic status.

What is veracity in nursing ethics?

The principle of telling the truth to patients.

What does fidelity mean in nursing?

Keeping promises and commitments in nursing care.

Define accountability in nursing.

Being responsible for one's actions, such as documenting care accurately.

What is the role of privacy and confidentiality in nursing?

Protecting patient information, such as complying with HIPAA.

How does morality differ from ethics?

Morality refers to personal or societal beliefs about right and wrong, while ethics is the systematic study of morality.

What is the significance of law in relation to ethics?

Law defines minimum acceptable behavior; not all legal actions are ethical.

What are common ethical issues in nursing practice?

End-of-life decisions, allocation of scarce resources, informed consent, use of technology, and professional boundaries.

What is the decision-making framework for ethical dilemmas?

Identify the ethical problem, gather facts, consider principles, explore options, make a decision, and evaluate results.

What is the core idea of deontological ethics?

Focus on the rightness or wrongness of actions, not their consequences.

Provide an example of deontological ethics.

Disclosing a medication error because honesty is a duty.

What is utilitarian ethics?

An ethical theory that chooses the action that brings the greatest good for the greatest number.

What is the difference between act and rule utilitarianism?

Act utilitarianism focuses on individual actions producing the greatest happiness, while rule utilitarianism focuses on rules that generally produce the greatest happiness.

What is contractarian ethics?

An ethical theory based on the social contract between the government and its citizens.

What is the importance of ethical competence in nursing?

It is as vital as clinical competence for safeguarding patient dignity and professional integrity.

What is the role of the nurse in bioethics?

Advocate for patient rights, educate on health choices, and contribute to ethical decision-making.

What is the significance of continuous reflection in nursing ethics?

It helps nurses apply ethical principles to their practice effectively.

What is the premise of government authority?

It is based on an agreement between the ruler and the ruled, where the ruler provides order in exchange for obedience.

What does virtue ethics emphasize?

It emphasizes the moral character of the moral agent rather than their actions.

What is the core idea of virtue ethics?

To cultivate virtues like compassion, prudence, and courage to become a person who acts well.

What are the four basic virtues in virtue ethics?

Wisdom, Courage, Temperance, and Justice.

What are the two kinds of virtue?

Intellectual virtues and Moral virtues.

What does teleological ethics focus on?

It focuses on the consequences of actions based on the purpose or end goal of those actions.

Who introduced the term consequentialism?

Gertrude Elizabeth Margaret Anscombe.

What is the main principle of consequentialism?

The consequences of an act form the basis for any valid moral judgment about that action.

What is the key idea of situation ethics?

Right and wrong depend on the situation, rejecting universal moral rules.

What is the only thing considered intrinsically good in situation ethics?

Love.

What is the core idea of care ethics?

The moral importance of relationships, context, empathy, and responsiveness to vulnerability.

What do rights-based ethics emphasize?

Individual claims that others must respect, such as the right to privacy and informed consent.

What is casuistry in ethical reasoning?

It compares the current case to paradigm cases to reason by analogy.

What is the difference between relativism and universalism?

Relativism states morality depends on culture/context, while universalism holds that some norms are universal.

What are the core professional values in nursing ethics?

Compassion, respect for dignity, integrity, accountability, excellence, and justice.

What is the first step in the Seven-Step Clinical Ethics Process?

Clarify the question: What exactly is the ethical dilemma?

What does the 'MORAL' model in ethical decision-making stand for?

Massage the dilemma, Outline options, Resolve, Act, Look back.

What are the four boxes in the Four-Box Method for ethical decision-making?

Medical indications, Patient preferences, Quality of life, Contextual features.

What is a common nursing dilemma regarding patient autonomy?

A competent adult refusing treatment due to personal beliefs.

What is a dilemma related to confidentiality in nursing?

A patient with TB refusing to inform household members about their condition.

What ethical issue arises when a family requests concealment of a diagnosis?

The conflict between respecting patient autonomy and family wishes.

What is a scenario that raises ethical concerns about end-of-life care?

A valid DNR order conflicting with a relative's demand to save the patient.

What ethical issue is presented by a medication error in nursing?

Administering a double dose and evaluating whether to disclose it.

What ethical challenge arises in resource allocation in nursing?

Deciding between two patients needing the only available ICU bed.

What ethical consideration is involved with AI clinical decision support?

Disagreement between AI assessment and clinical judgment.

What ethical issue is raised by research participation while a patient is sedated?

Obtaining informed consent from a patient who is not fully aware.