Ethics in Nursing Practice

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of ethics in relation to human action?

Determining the moral character of individuals

Determining right and wrong in relation to people's decisions and actions (correct)

Establishing cultural norms and customs

Developing personal beliefs about the worth of ideas

Which of the following best defines the term 'value' in the context of ethics?

A moral standard used to assess human action

A judgment about behavior based on specific beliefs

A moral principle guiding human behavior

A personal belief about the worth a person holds for an idea (correct)

What is the primary concern of Nursing Ethics?

Developing professional standards for medical practice

Determining the moral character of health care professionals

Professional standards of conduct practices by nurses related to moral behavior in providing health care services (correct)

Establishing moral principles for human behavior

What is the term used to describe the moral decision-making situations in the practice of medicine and health?

Health Ethics Signup and view all the answers

What is the Greek origin of the term 'ethics'?

Ethos Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the right principles and values based on Islamic sources?

Islamic Ethics Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential limitation of Deontology Theory in nursing ethics?

It can lead to absolutism and inability to adapt to complex situations Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of Virtue Ethics Theory in nursing?

To develop moral character and virtues Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the International Code of Nursing Ethics?

To provide a framework for ethical nursing practice and decision-making Signup and view all the answers

What is a key principle of Virtue Ethics Theory in nursing practice?

Developing moral character and virtues Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of moral distress in nursing practice?

Inability to adapt to complex situations Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of values-based care in nursing practice?

Patient-centered care Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the International Code of Nursing Ethics in nursing practice?

To provide a framework for ethical decision-making Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of nurse-patient relationships in Virtue Ethics Theory?

Prioritizing the needs and interests of patients Signup and view all the answers

Which ethical theory prioritizes the consequences of an action, considering the greatest happiness or pleasure for the largest number of people?

Utilitarian Theory Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary purpose of ethics in nursing, ensuring the well-being and safety of patients?

To prioritize patient welfare and advocacy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a limitation of the Utilitarian Theory?

It ignores concerns on human rights and justice Signup and view all the answers

What is a key outcome of facilitating nurses to make informed decision making?

Minimizing the risk of harm to patients Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a purpose of ethics in nursing?

Maximize profits for the healthcare organization Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of ignoring concerns on human rights and justice, especially in minority populations?

Inequitable distribution of healthcare resources Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of Deontology?

Obligations are derived from religious beliefs, societal norms, or rational principle Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor in promoting values-based care in nursing practice?

Prioritizing patient welfare and advocacy Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ethics in Nursing

Ethics provides an ordered set of moral standards to assess what is morally right and wrong in nursing practice.
The term "ethics" is derived from the Greek "ethos", meaning custom or character, and Arabic "Akhlaq".

Types of Ethics

Health Ethics: moral decision-making situations in the practice of medicine and health.
Bioethics: concerns from diverse fields including health, medicine, law, philosophy, biotech, and life sciences.
Islamic Ethics: right principles and values based on Islamic sources, including Al-Quran's teachings and Prophet Muhammad's Sunnah.
Nursing Ethics: professional standards of conduct practiced by nurses related to moral behavior in providing healthcare services.

Purpose of Ethics in Nursing

Facilitate nurses to make informed decision-making.
Enhance quality of care and patient safety by minimizing the risk of harm.
Ensure safe and effective delivery of care.
Prioritize patient welfare and advocacy.
Ensure nurses comply with legal and regulatory compliance.
Develop a sense of personal fulfillment, satisfaction, and professional integrity.

Ethical Theories

Utilitarian Theory

Focuses on the results of action and treats intentions as irrelevant.
Right actions ought to produce the greatest happiness or pleasure for the greatest number of people.
Ought to always produce the maximal balance of positive value over disvalue.
Acts are considered right if they bring about more pleasure than pain, and wrong if they produce more pain than pleasure.
Difficult to prove what counts as good, as one's good may be another's bad and vice versa.
Ignores concerns on human rights and justice, especially to the minority population.

Deontology Theory

Obligations that they are bound to follow, regardless of the consequences.
Duties may be derived from: religious beliefs, societal norms, or rational principles.
Can lead to absolutism and inability to adapt to complex situations.
May fail to provide practical solutions or guidance in morally complex situations, leaving individuals unsure of how to act when faced with moral uncertainty.

Virtue Ethics Theory

Emphasizes the development of moral character and virtues as the key to ethical behavior.
Encourages nurses to develop good moral virtues such as compassion, empathy, honesty, integrity, and professionalism.
Nurses are encouraged to prioritize the needs and interests of patients, advocate for vulnerable populations, and work towards creating environments that support the development of virtuous characters.

International Code of Nursing Ethics

A statement of ethical values, responsibilities, and professional accountabilities of nurses and nursing students that defines and guides ethical nursing practice within different roles nurses assume.
Serves as a framework for ethical nursing practice and decision-making to meet professional standards set by regulatory bodies.
A succinct statement of the ethical values, obligations, duties, and professional ideals of nurses individually and collectively.