Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary goal of ethical decision-making?
What is the primary goal of ethical decision-making?
Which principle emphasizes the right of individuals to control their own medical decisions?
Which principle emphasizes the right of individuals to control their own medical decisions?
Which of the following describes negligence in a nursing context?
Which of the following describes negligence in a nursing context?
Which component is NOT an element of informed consent?
Which component is NOT an element of informed consent?
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What is the primary role of a code of ethics for a healthcare professional?
What is the primary role of a code of ethics for a healthcare professional?
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What must a patient’s consent be based on according to the principle of voluntariness?
What must a patient’s consent be based on according to the principle of voluntariness?
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Which of the following is NOT typically considered an ethical dilemma faced by critical care nurses?
Which of the following is NOT typically considered an ethical dilemma faced by critical care nurses?
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Which ethical principle focuses on the fair distribution of health care resources?
Which ethical principle focuses on the fair distribution of health care resources?
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In ethical decision making, which principle takes precedence for nurses regarding patient rights?
In ethical decision making, which principle takes precedence for nurses regarding patient rights?
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Which of these is a common element that must be included in the information provided for informed consent?
Which of these is a common element that must be included in the information provided for informed consent?
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Which situation exemplifies an ethical dilemma in critical care nursing?
Which situation exemplifies an ethical dilemma in critical care nursing?
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Which of the following actions could lead to a malpractice claim against a nurse?
Which of the following actions could lead to a malpractice claim against a nurse?
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The concept of bioethics primarily involves:
The concept of bioethics primarily involves:
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What does the term 'informed consent' refer to in critical care nursing?
What does the term 'informed consent' refer to in critical care nursing?
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Which of the following best describes a consequence of advanced medical technologies in relation to ethical dilemmas?
Which of the following best describes a consequence of advanced medical technologies in relation to ethical dilemmas?
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Why might a nurse face an ethical dilemma regarding the distribution of healthcare resources?
Why might a nurse face an ethical dilemma regarding the distribution of healthcare resources?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Ethics
- Critical care nurses often deal with ethical and legal dilemmas related to informed consent, withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment, transplantation, privacy, and justice in healthcare resource distribution.
- Many of these dilemmas are a result of advanced medical technologies developed in recent decades.
- Ethics is the study of what is right or wrong and what should be done.
- Health care ethics or bioethics is the application of ethical knowledge to resolve healthcare problems.
- Ethical decision making involves choosing an action that aligns with ethical principles.
- A code of ethics provides guidelines for individuals or groups to make decisions regarding ethical issues.
Ethical Issues and Dilemmas
- Ethical issues/problems/dilemmas arise when conflicting moral claims exist and we are unsure of the ethical right course of action, or when a consensus on the ethically right action is lacking, or when a satisfactory solution cannot be found.
- Critical care nurses confront ethical dilemmas in daily practice, including:
- Informed consent and confidentiality
- Withholding or withdrawing treatment
- Organ and tissue transplantation
- Allocation of healthcare resources
Ethical Decision Making
- Protecting patients' basic rights is a primary ethical obligation for professional nurses.
- Nurses should recognize ethical dilemmas that threaten patients' rights and participate in resolving them.
- The main goal of ethical decision making is to distinguish right from wrong in situations where clear boundaries are absent or unclear.
- Steps for ethical decision making include:
- Identifying the dilemma
- Gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data
- Considering possible actions
- Analyzing the benefits and drawbacks of each option
- Arriving at a decision
Ethical Principles
- Ethical principles guide decision making in healthcare:
- Autonomy: The patient's right to decide about their medical care. It's the ability to think, decide, and act freely and independently.
- Beneficence: Acting in the best interest of the patient.
- Nonmaleficence: Avoiding intentional harm.
- Justice: Ensuring fair distribution of healthcare resources.
- Veracity: Being truthful and upholding the patient's right to know.
- Confidentiality: Respecting the patient's right to control their information.
Legal Accountability in Nursing
- Critical care nurses have legal responsibilities to their patients.
- Nurses should stay informed about evolving case law and judicial trends to prevent allegations of negligence and malpractice.
- Negligence occurs when someone fails to act in a reasonable manner. Examples include administering the wrong medication or failing to raise the bed rails for a sedated patient.
Elements of a Malpractice Claim
- The nurse had a duty of care to the patient.
- The nurse failed to fulfill that duty.
- The nurse's actions directly caused harm to the patient.
- The harm to the patient was a result of the nurse's negligence.
- Example: A patient develops a corneal ulcer while unconscious.
The Informed Consent
- Informed consent is based on the principle that competent adults have the right to self-determination and to make decisions regarding their acceptance or rejection of medical or nursing treatment.
Elements of Informed Consent
- Capacity: The patient's ability to understand information regarding a proposed medical or nursing intervention.
- Voluntariness: The patient's consent must be given freely, without coercion.
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Information provided to the patient should include:
- Diagnosis of the specific health problem and condition
- The nature, duration, and purpose of the proposed treatment or procedures
- The probable outcome of any medical or nursing intervention
- The benefits of medical or nursing intervention
- Potentially hazardous or common risks
- Alternative treatments and their feasibility.
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Description
Explore the complex ethical and legal dilemmas faced by critical care nurses in healthcare settings. This quiz covers topics such as informed consent, life-sustaining treatment, and the implications of advanced medical technologies on ethical decision-making.
