Ethics and Legal Regulations in Nursing

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary motivation of practitioners as described in the content?

Financial stability

Service to others (correct)

Personal advancement

Professional networking

Which of the following organizations established a Code of Ethics for nurses?

International Council of Nurses and American Nurses Association (correct)

International Council of Nurses and Botswana Nurses Union

Nursing and Midwifery Council of Botswana and International Council of Nurses

Botswana Nurses Union and American Nurses Association

What is the role of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Botswana (NMCB)?

To provide financial assistance to nursing students

To regulate the prices of nursing services

To ensure nursing education and safe patient care (correct)

To affiliate with international nursing organizations

According to the Act Cap 61:03 of 1995, what is required for a person to practice as a registered nurse or midwife in Botswana?

Possession of a practicing certificate and registration Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary responsibilities of the Nurses and Midwifery Council of Botswana?

To maintain registers and revoke licenses when necessary Signup and view all the answers

What does the principle of nonmaleficence primarily focus on in nursing ethics?

Avoiding harm or risk of harm to others Signup and view all the answers

Which ethical principle directly addresses the fair distribution of healthcare services?

Justice Signup and view all the answers

In a situation where a patient's treatment decision conflicts with their autonomy, what ethical dilemma is presented?

Conflict between beneficence and autonomy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following responsibilities is NOT included in the nursing code of ethics?

Guaranteeing all patients receive the same treatment Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes beneficence in nursing ethics?

Actively contributing to the well-being of patients Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic of a profession relates to the notion that practitioners must be motivated by altruism?

Practitioners must be motivated by altruism Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following duties is NOT considered a primary duty for nurses?

Duty of non-maleficence Signup and view all the answers

How are the professional duties of nurses transformed into legal duties?

When legislation or policies are breached Signup and view all the answers

What does the principle of beneficence in nursing entail?

Acting in the best interest of patients and promoting good Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reflects an understanding of ethics as outlined in nursing practice?

Maintaining a standard of moral judgment that safeguards the profession Signup and view all the answers

According to Abraham Flexner’s characteristics, which of the following is essential for a profession?

Knowledge that can be learned and teachable techniques Signup and view all the answers

Which principle suggests that nurses should always aim to act in the patient's best interest?

Beneficence Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of nurses being accountable to multiple parties such as patients and the public?

They must uphold ethical standards and professional conduct. Signup and view all the answers

What primarily guides decision-making in a profession compared to an occupation?

Scientific knowledge Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic emphasizes the importance of caring in professional nursing?

Caring as a core value Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the education required in a profession?

Education typically involves prolonged study in a higher education institution. Signup and view all the answers

What is required for a consent to be considered valid for treatment?

The consent must be obtained without any coercion. Signup and view all the answers

What role does accountability play in professional nursing?

It is founded on ethical principles like beneficence and respect. Signup and view all the answers

Which age group is generally considered competent to provide consent for medical treatment?

All adults over the age of 18 years. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'advance directives' refer to in patient rights?

Pre-made choices about healthcare prior to treatment needs. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a profession from an occupation according to the characteristics of a profession?

Practitioners typically have higher levels of education and responsibility. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a profession as outlined by Kelly, 1981?

Manual and routine tasks Signup and view all the answers

What must healthcare professionals provide to ensure understanding of the consent process?

Clear explanations free of medical jargon. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a living will?

A document outlining a patient’s preferences for medical treatment in the future. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key considerations regarding the entry-level education for nursing practice?

The requirement for a Bachelor's degree is generally accepted but debated. Signup and view all the answers

Which principle is NOT often linked to accountability in professional nursing?

Autonomy Signup and view all the answers

What is emphasized in the Nightingale Pledge regarding the administration of drugs?

No harmful drugs should be administered knowingly. Signup and view all the answers

Which principle is indicated as a commitment in the Nurses Pledge of Service?

Promoting health without regard to social status. Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what action should a nurse take if they receive personal information from a patient?

Keep it confidential. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main ethical obligation highlighted in the Nurses Pledge of Service?

To maintain a high level of professional knowledge and skill. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Nightingale Pledge state about the nurse's relationship with physicians?

Nurses should strive to aid physicians in their work. Signup and view all the answers

What common ethical violation may arise with the instruction that vital signs should be estimated?

Inaccurate data can lead to inappropriate patient care. Signup and view all the answers

How should a nurse respond if asked to compromise patient care to expedite tasks?

Express concern and uphold the standard of care. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the intent of the Nurses Pledge of Service regarding health team cooperation?

Loyal support and cooperation among health team members are essential. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ethics, Legal and Regulations of the Nursing Profession

The presentation is about ethics, legal issues, and regulations within the nursing profession.
Key objectives include the profession itself, ethical issues, and legal issues.
A profession is based on theoretical understanding of specific knowledge areas and abilities, applied to human welfare.
Professions have an ethical obligation to provide altruistic service.
Professional nursing education is a long and intensive period.
Education is standardized and practice is controlled by standardization.

Characteristics of a Profession

Activities are intellectual, not physical
Activities are based on learning
Professions need teachable techniques
Members have a strong organizational structure
Practitioners are motivated by altruism.
Work is theory based
Work holds social value
Education is required
Professionals have autonomy
Members share a common identity and subculture
Professions have a code of ethics

Ethics

Ethics involves moral judgment and professional conduct.
Nurses are accountable to patients, the public, employers, and the profession.
Nurses have duties of autonomy, confidentiality, and the care of all patients.
Beneficence means doing good and acting in a patient's best interest, while non-maleficence means avoiding harm.
Professional duties become legal duties if legislation or policies are breached.
Ethics is about human behaviour and standards of conduct, study of morality, how people conduct themselves.
Ethics guide decisions on right and wrong, based on values.

Ethical Principles

Autonomy: An individual's right to take action for themselves and make decisions; respects patient rights, sometimes individual rights are subservient.
Beneficence & Nonmaleficence: Duty to help others and avoid harm respectively. Sometimes, these principles conflict (E.g., conflict of treatment decisions from a patient's perspective if care is against the patient's best interest and patient refuses).
Justice: Aim to provide services equally and fairly without bias.

ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses

Standards for professional nursing behavior, and conduct.
Protecting client's privacy, health, safety, and respect for their dignity, competence, and maintaining integrity of nursing.
The ICN Code of Ethics is designed for nurses.
Provides guidance for decisions and conduct of nurses and supports high standards of practice.

Legal Issues in Nursing

Licensure: A credential allowing qualified individuals to perform specific procedures.
Nurse Practice Acts: State laws for nursing scope of practice
National regulatory bodies set and enforce rules and regulations on nursing practice.
In Botswana, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Botswana (NMCB) regulates nurses.
NMCB: Establishes minimum competence, licenses nurses, and ensures public safety in health facilities.

Patient Care Issues

Patient rights: Individuals in healthcare; access to medical services must include these rights.
Right to privacy: Protecting confidential information; patients can sue if privacy is violated.
Informed consent: Permission for treatment, and care, must be voluntary, free of coercion, given willingly by patient and is understandable to the patient.
Right to refuse treatment: Adults have this right, which includes respect for patient choices; sometimes conflicts with beneficence.
Advance directives: Living will, Durable Power of Attorney- Health care agents.

Responsibilities of Nursing Students

Knowledge acquisition: Students are expected to obtain and update knowledge to meet the standards, for example, by studying drug markets, changing disease profiles, emerging novel diseases, and advances in technology.
Competence: Five steps to acquire competence: Novice, Advanced beginner, Competent, Proficient, and Expert.
Integrity: Adherence to strict moral code and ethical code, uphold nursing ethics code, and never go beyond the scope of nursing practice.
Positive attitude: Good mental state involving values, beliefs, and feelings, also including consideration and respect for others and clients.
Compassion: Aware of suffering, and concern for others, treats clients as unique individuals.
Work ethic: Importance of work; valuing hard work and diligence.

Attendance and Punctuality

Important to be on time for classes and required work.
The Nightingale Pledge: A pledge of conduct by nurses.

Nurses Pledge of Service

Promise to care for the sick
Respect beliefs, and confidentiality.
Supports health team.
Upholds the integrity of the nursing professional.

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Description

This quiz explores the ethical and legal frameworks that govern the nursing profession. It covers the theoretical foundations, responsibilities, and standards of practice within nursing. Essential objectives include understanding the shared values and the altruistic service inherent to nursing as a profession.