Fundamentals of Nursing: Ethics and Values

Basic Terms in Health Ethics

• Morals: a set of principles that guide behavior
• Value: a deeply held belief about the worth of an idea, attitude, custom, or object that affects choices and behaviors
• Bioethics: a branch of ethics that deals with the application of moral principles to healthcare and biomedical research
• Autonomy: the right to self-determination and making one's own decisions
• Beneficence: the principle of doing good and promoting the well-being of others
• Nonmaleficence: the principle of avoiding harm to others
• Justice: the principle of fairness and equality in the distribution of resources
• Fidelity: the principle of being faithful and loyal to one's commitments and obligations

Professional Nursing Code of Ethics

• Code of ethics: a set of guiding principles that all members of a profession accept
• Code of Ethics for Nursing: key principles include:
  • Advocacy: promoting the rights and interests of patients
  • Responsibility: being accountable for one's actions and decisions
  • Accountability: being responsible for one's actions and decisions
  • Confidentiality: maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of patient information

Values

• Values clarification: the process of distinguishing between values, facts, and opinions to resolve ethical conflicts
• Clarifying values: understanding one's own values, as well as those of patients and coworkers, is an important part of ethical discourse

Approaches to Ethics

• Deontology: an approach that focuses on the moral rules and principles that govern behavior
• Utilitarianism: an approach that focuses on the consequences of actions and aims to maximize happiness and well-being
• Casuistry: an approach that focuses on case-by-case analysis and decision-making
• Feminist ethics: an approach that emphasizes the importance of care, empathy, and relationships in ethical decision-making
• Ethics of care: an approach that prioritizes the well-being and care of individuals

Nursing Point of View

• Types of ethical problems:

  • Ethical dilemma: a situation where two or more conflicting moral principles or values are present
  • Moral distress: a feeling of emotional distress or discomfort when faced with an ethical problem

• Ethics committees: groups of healthcare professionals who provide guidance and support in resolving ethical problems

• Processing an ethical problem:

  • Step 1: Ask if the problem is an ethical one
  • Step 2: Gather relevant information about the case
  • Step 3: Identify the ethical elements in the problem and examine one's values
  • Step 4: Name the problem
  • Step 5: Identify possible courses of action
  • Step 6: Evaluate the potential consequences of each course of action

Basic Terms in Health Ethics

• Morals: a set of principles that guide behavior
• Value: a deeply held belief about the worth of an idea, attitude, custom, or object that affects choices and behaviors
• Bioethics: a branch of ethics that deals with the application of moral principles to healthcare and biomedical research
• Autonomy: the right to self-determination and making one's own decisions
• Beneficence: the principle of doing good and promoting the well-being of others
• Nonmaleficence: the principle of avoiding harm to others
• Justice: the principle of fairness and equality in the distribution of resources
• Fidelity: the principle of being faithful and loyal to one's commitments and obligations

Professional Nursing Code of Ethics

• Code of ethics: a set of guiding principles that all members of a profession accept
• Code of Ethics for Nursing: key principles include:
  • Advocacy: promoting the rights and interests of patients
  • Responsibility: being accountable for one's actions and decisions
  • Accountability: being responsible for one's actions and decisions
  • Confidentiality: maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of patient information

Values

• Values clarification: the process of distinguishing between values, facts, and opinions to resolve ethical conflicts
• Clarifying values: understanding one's own values, as well as those of patients and coworkers, is an important part of ethical discourse

Approaches to Ethics

• Deontology: an approach that focuses on the moral rules and principles that govern behavior
• Utilitarianism: an approach that focuses on the consequences of actions and aims to maximize happiness and well-being
• Casuistry: an approach that focuses on case-by-case analysis and decision-making
• Feminist ethics: an approach that emphasizes the importance of care, empathy, and relationships in ethical decision-making
• Ethics of care: an approach that prioritizes the well-being and care of individuals

Nursing Point of View

• Types of ethical problems:

  • Ethical dilemma: a situation where two or more conflicting moral principles or values are present
  • Moral distress: a feeling of emotional distress or discomfort when faced with an ethical problem

• Ethics committees: groups of healthcare professionals who provide guidance and support in resolving ethical problems

• Processing an ethical problem:

  • Step 1: Ask if the problem is an ethical one
  • Step 2: Gather relevant information about the case
  • Step 3: Identify the ethical elements in the problem and examine one's values
  • Step 4: Name the problem
  • Step 5: Identify possible courses of action
  • Step 6: Evaluate the potential consequences of each course of action

This quiz covers the basics of health ethics, including moral values and principles, and the professional nursing code of ethics. Test your understanding of key terms and concepts.