Ethical and Legal Issues in Nursing
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Questions and Answers

What does it mean for nurses to occupy 'in between' spaces?

  • Nurses are neutral and avoid taking sides.
  • Nurses strive to balance the needs of multiple stakeholders. (correct)
  • Nurses focus solely on patient needs over institutional policies.
  • Nurses operate independently without collaboration.

    • How is nursing practice described as a moral endeavor?

  • Nurses emphasize efficiency over patient care.
  • Nurses focus primarily on adhering to hospital protocols.
  • Nurses provide empathetic and culturally sensitive care. (correct)
  • Nurses avoid difficult conversations with patients.

    • What distinguishes deontological ethical theories from consequentialist theories?

  • Deontological theories prioritize outcomes over duties.
  • Consequentialist theories promote ignoring moral obligations.
  • Consequentialist theories assess actions based solely on intentions.
  • Deontological theories focus on adherence to duties toward others. (correct)

    • Which ethical dilemma do nurses frequently face in their practice?

    <p>Respecting patient autonomy while maintaining confidentiality.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the advocacy role of nurses?

    <p>Advocating for patient well-being and rights consistently.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is negligence in the context of legal responsibilities within healthcare?

    <p>Failure to act in a way that aligns with standard clinical practices.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a circumstance under which nurses may be held legally liable?

    <p>Providing emotional support to patients.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component is essential for ensuring legal compliance in documentation according to ethical guidelines?

    <p>Timeliness and accuracy of the records.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which legal provision primarily addresses end-of-life care options?

    <p>Advance care planning.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a violation of a nurse's scope of practice?

    <p>Conducting an assessment without proper training.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key difference between act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism?

    <p>Act utilitarianism focuses on the consequences of a single act, while rule utilitarianism focuses on the consequences of a set of rules.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the primary focus of deontology?

    <p>The intentions and motives behind actions are the most important.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential critique of utilitarianism regarding its treatment of minority groups?

    <p>Utilitarianism may harm minority groups for the greater good.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the concept of principlism, which of the following is NOT one of the core principles?

    <p>Equity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which formulation of the categorical imperative asks whether an action could be applied universally?

    <p>First formulation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant strength of principlism in ethical discussions?

    <p>It provides a common language to discuss ethical dilemmas.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the key features of utilitarianism?

    <p>It seeks to produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following critiques applies to deontology?

    <p>It fails to recognize moral duties stemming from emotions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does John Stuart Mill's perspective on utilitarianism differ from that of Jeremy Bentham?

    <p>Mill believes in qualitative differences in pleasures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which principle emphasizes the obligation to do no harm?

    <p>Nonmaleficence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What focuses on individual narratives in ethical discussions?

    <p>Narrative Ethics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which ethical framework involves case studies to understand moral dilemmas?

    <p>Casuistry</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term describes the negative feelings experienced by a person who knows the right action but cannot take it due to constraints?

    <p>Moral Distress</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which concept refers to the capacity of individuals to engage in actions that are morally relevant?

    <p>Moral Agency</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential consequence of ethical dilemmas in healthcare?

    <p>Compromised well-being</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a component of an ethical dilemma?

    <p>Clarity of the situation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which ethical framework is illustrated by the IDEA method?

    <p>Ethical Decision-Making Tools</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does moral courage enable individuals to do in ethical practice?

    <p>Take morally relevant actions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can an individual support the restoration of moral integrity in a healthcare environment?

    <p>Reflect and reconnect to original purpose</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why can laws be considered unethical?

    <p>They can be outdated or conflict with personal beliefs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of an ethical action that can be illegal?

    <p>Civil disobedience against unjust laws</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which is a key aspect of how Canadian law influences nursing practice?

    <p>Each province has its own regulatory body with specific requirements.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'moral community' refer to in a workplace?

    <p>An environment promoting shared values and ethical action.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key critique of deontologic theories?

    <p>Identifying conflicting duties can be challenging.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary challenge of consequentialist theories?

    <p>Predicting outcomes can be inherently uncertain.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do professional codes of ethics typically guide practitioners?

    <p>By detailing responsibilities, obligations, and reporting mechanisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What differentiates organizational ethics from clinical ethics?

    <p>Organizational ethics deals with ethics at a macro level.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which level of moral response involves critically reflected justification based on principles and values?

    <p>Reflective</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant ethical consideration is raised by the subjective nature of happiness?

    <p>Different individuals may perceive happiness differently.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following aspects is NOT typically included in a Code of Ethics?

    <p>Detailed job descriptions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of cultural humility in nursing?

    <p>Recognizing and addressing power differentials.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which ethical theory focuses on the empirical analysis of people's behaviors and reasons?

    <p>Descriptive ethics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the concept of 'accountability for reasonableness' aim to clarify?

    <p>What ethical decisions should be made and the reasons behind them.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What ethical considerations do nurses face in relation to organizational ethics?

    <p>Resource allocation and care access can present ethical challenges.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which framework emphasizes the relationship between care and respect in the ethical practice of nursing?

    <p>Relational ethics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can nurses be considered moral agents in their practice?

    <p>They must ensure integrity and ethical soundness in patient care.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary ethical obligation reflected in the concept of beneficence in research?

    <p>To avoid causing harm to participants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Moral resilience is defined as the ability to:

    <p>Maintain integrity despite ethical challenges</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What major ethical issue arises when researchers cannot guarantee anonymity to subjects?

    <p>Concerns over confidentiality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT typically included in the informed consent process?

    <p>Detailed list of personal identifiers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might nurses experience vulnerability in research settings?

    <p>They feel unprepared and lack a voice against unethical practices</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which ethical principle emphasizes the welfare of research participants while ensuring that risks do not outweigh benefits?

    <p>Beneficence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an advocacy dilemma faced by nurses in research contexts?

    <p>Protecting patients from researchers' unethical behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the Gifts of the Seven Grandfathers in healthcare?

    <p>They encourage culturally sensitive patient-centered care</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'informed consent' primarily aim to protect?

    <p>Patient autonomy and decision-making</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following virtues is NOT considered a focal virtue in healthcare?

    <p>Arrogance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which principle establishes a conflict between care and research in nursing?

    <p>The focus on patient benefit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What challenge is presented by randomized control trials in a nursing context?

    <p>Potentially withholds beneficial treatments from participants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is the concept of phronesis related to virtue ethics?

    <p>It is practical wisdom guiding moral actions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common limitation found in virtue ethics?

    <p>It addresses only individual actions, not interpersonal ethics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    • Nurses navigate "in-between" spaces, balancing multiple stakeholder needs.
    • Nursing is a moral endeavor due to its patient-centered approach incorporating empathy, cultural sensitivity, integrity, safety, and advocacy.
    • Nurses face ethical dilemmas like respecting autonomy, maintaining confidentiality, and ensuring just resource allocation.

    Analyzing Ethical Theories

    • Deontological: Actions are right based on duty adherence, regardless of consequences.
    • Consequentialist: Rightness/wrongness is determined by outcomes. (e.g., utilitarianism maximizes overall good.)
    • Critiques of Deontology: Difficulty defining duties, potential for conflicting duties, disregarding consequences.
    • Critiques of Consequentialism: Uncertainty about predicting outcomes, challenges measuring subjective "good."
    • Critiques of Both: Difficulty in applying theories to real-world dilemmas, lack of clear decision-making principles.

    Moral Responses to Ethical Problems

    • Expressive: Stating feelings without justification.
    • Prereflective: Relying on norms (legal, religious, professional) without critical reflection.
    • Reflective: Justification based on critically reflected principles and values.

    Codes of Ethics and Law

    • Code of Ethics Contents: Statement of values, responsibilities, professional standards, prohibited conduct, conflict resolution, reporting mechanisms, and consequences.
    • Codes and Law Relationship: Legal actions may not be ethical, and vice-versa. Nurses must understand legal boundaries of their roles and patient rights to avoid liability.

    History of Bioethics

    • Important Events: Nuremberg Code, residential school nutrition studies, Tuskegee Syphilis study, Guatemala studies, radiation studies, development of REBs, Declaration of Helsinki, Belmont Report are pivotal events in bioethics history.
    • Fields of Ethics: Metaethics (meaning of moral terms), Normative (principles of moral behavior), Descriptive (factual observations of moral behaviors), and Applied (practical application of ethics to specific contexts).

    Nursing Ethics

    • Nursing as a Moral Practice: Strives to maximize good (health, comfort, dignity) and minimize bad (suffering). Nurses are moral agents, ensuring integrity and ethical conduct when interacting with others.
    • Nursing Codes: Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) and Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ) codes provide guidance.

    Organizational Ethics

    • Aspect of Applied Ethics: Organizations define core values, manage conflicts between values, and ensure actions reflect espoused values.
    • Issues: Resource allocation; business development; access to care (e.g., uninsured patients); treatment decisions; and disagreements.

    Cultural Humility and Safety

    • Relational Ethics: Emphasizes respect and meeting individuals' needs.
    • Essential Nurse Qualities: Mindfulness, humility, open-mindedness, nonjudgmentalism, curiosity, self-reflection, understanding diverse views and cultures.
    • Cultural Humility: Lifelong learning, self-reflection, acknowledging power differentials; crucial for ethical practice with diverse patient populations.

    Research Ethics

    • Nurses' Role in Research: Conflict among values of society (human rights), nursing (caring ethics), and science (scientific inquiry).
    • Ethical Issues in Research: Informed consent, beneficence/non-maleficence, anonymity/confidentiality, privacy, vulnerable populations, researcher skills, conflicts of interest.
    • Conflicts in Nurses: Beneficence-non-maleficence, advocacy challenges, vulnerability, research vs caring.
    • Addressing Conflicts: Nurses can advocate for ethical research practices and patient safety.

    Ethical Theories

    • Virtue Ethics: Focuses on character traits (virtues and vices), aiming for the golden mean (ideal balance). Key virtues in healthcare include compassion, discernment, trustworthiness, integrity, and conscientiousness.
    • Utilitarianism: Emphasizes maximizing overall good for the greatest number of people. Act utilitarianism focuses on individual acts, while rule utilitarianism focuses on rules yielding maximum good.
    • Deontology: Emphasizes moral duty and principles (e.g., Kant's categorical imperative). Involves respecting human dignity and autonomy while following rules.
    • Principlism: Applies ethical principles (autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice) to guide decision-making.
    • Feminist Ethics and Ethics of Care: Focuses on relationships, narratives, and case studies, emphasizing responsiveness to individuals' needs.

    Ethical Decision-Making

    • Ethical Dilemmas: Choosing among multiple alternatives with potential consequences, generating uncertainty about the best course of action.
    • Decision-Making Process: Determining the best alternative based on ethical community norms and moral values. Additional components include conflicting values/principles, compromised well-being, and communication difficulties.
    • Ethical Decision-Making Tools: IDEA framework, CNA guidelines, Storch model, community ethics toolkit.

    Moral Suffering and Resilience

    • Moral Distress: Negative feelings when one knows the right course of action but cannot act due to constraints. Contrast with moral uncertainty where the correct course of action is unknown.
    • Moral Agency: Stronger framework for understanding nurses' moral role in clinical practice—a capacity to engage in deliberate, morally relevant actions.
    • Addressing Moral Distress: Recognition, reflection, reconnecting with purpose/intention, committing to well-being, supporting others, promoting ethical competence and speaking up.
    • Moral Courage and Resilience: Sustaining integrity through moral challenges.
    • Laws and Ethics: Laws can be unethical when rooted in outdated morals, clashing with moral beliefs, requiring unethical actions, or having unintended consequences. Also, ethical actions can be illegal (e.g., civil disobedience, conscientious objection).
    • Canadian Law's Impact: Governs licensure, scope of practice, patient privacy, informed consent, reporting obligations, cultural competence, medication administration, end-of-life care (e.g., MAID), and discrimination.
    • Legal Requirements and Documentation: Accurate, timely, truthful documentation, confidentiality, informed consent, standard of care.

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    Description

    This quiz explores the ethical and legal challenges faced by nurses in their practice. It covers the moral principles guiding nursing, including patient autonomy, confidentiality, and resource allocation. Additionally, it analyzes different ethical theories and their application in real-world nursing dilemmas.

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