Health Ethics Basics

What is the primary focus of bioethics?

Which of the following is NOT a principle of the Code of Ethics for Nursing?

What is the primary goal of values clarification?

Which approach to ethics emphasizes the moral rules and duties that govern human behavior?

What is the term for the emotional distress that occurs when a healthcare professional is unable to act in accordance with their moral values?

What is the first step in processing an ethical problem?

What is the purpose of an ethics committee in a healthcare setting?

Which of the following is a key principle of the Code of Ethics for Nursing?

What is the term for a deeply held belief about the worth of an idea, attitude, custom, or object?

Which approach to ethics emphasizes the importance of considering the consequences of actions?

Basic Terms in Health Ethics

Morals:
Value: a deeply held belief about the worth of an idea, attitude, custom, or object that affects choices and behaviors
Bioethics:
Autonomy:
Beneficence:
Nonmaleficence:
Justice:
Fidelity:

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: includes key principles such as
- Advocacy
- Responsibility
- Accountability
- Confidentiality

Values

Value: a deeply held belief about the worth of an idea, attitude, custom, or object that affects choices and behaviors
Values clarification: to resolve ethical conflicts, one needs to distinguish among value, fact, and opinion

Approaches to Ethics

Deontology:
Utilitarianism:
Casuistry:
Feminist ethics:
Ethics of care:

Nursing Point of View

Types of ethical problems:
- Ethical dilemma:
- Moral distress:
Ethics committees:
Processing an ethical problem:
- Step 1: Ask if it's an ethical problem
- Step 2: Gather relevant information
- Step 3: Identify the ethical elements in the problem and examine your values
- Step 4: Name the problem
- Step 5: Identify possible courses of action
- Step 6: (no information provided)

Test your understanding of key terms in health ethics, including morals, values, bioethics, and principles of the Professional Nursing Code of Ethics. Learn about autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice.