Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary goal of the principle of non-maleficence in nursing practice?
What is the primary goal of the principle of non-maleficence in nursing practice?
Which of the following is an example of beneficence in nursing practice?
Which of the following is an example of beneficence in nursing practice?
What is the principle of autonomy in nursing practice?
What is the principle of autonomy in nursing practice?
Which of the following is an example of justice in nursing practice?
Which of the following is an example of justice in nursing practice?
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What is the role of informed consent in nursing practice?
What is the role of informed consent in nursing practice?
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Why is evidence-based practice important in nursing?
Why is evidence-based practice important in nursing?
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What is the primary goal of beneficence in healthcare?
What is the primary goal of beneficence in healthcare?
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What is essential when administering medication to patients with complex care needs?
What is essential when administering medication to patients with complex care needs?
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What is an example of promoting autonomy in healthcare?
What is an example of promoting autonomy in healthcare?
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What is the primary principle of justice in healthcare?
What is the primary principle of justice in healthcare?
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What is the opposite of beneficence?
What is the opposite of beneficence?
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What is essential for informed consent in healthcare?
What is essential for informed consent in healthcare?
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What is the primary concern when a patient admits to substance abuse but does not want their family to know?
What is the primary concern when a patient admits to substance abuse but does not want their family to know?
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In what situation may a nurse be obligated to share confidential information with law enforcement or associated professionals?
In what situation may a nurse be obligated to share confidential information with law enforcement or associated professionals?
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What is the nurse's ethical obligation when a patient reveals medical information that may place others at risk?
What is the nurse's ethical obligation when a patient reveals medical information that may place others at risk?
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What is the primary goal of maintaining confidentiality in patient care?
What is the primary goal of maintaining confidentiality in patient care?
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What is the role of ethical decision-making in maintaining confidentiality in practice?
What is the role of ethical decision-making in maintaining confidentiality in practice?
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The principle of autonomy in healthcare requires that patients make decisions without considering the welfare of others.
The principle of autonomy in healthcare requires that patients make decisions without considering the welfare of others.
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In healthcare, the principle of justice aims to distribute resources equally among all patients.
In healthcare, the principle of justice aims to distribute resources equally among all patients.
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The principle of benevolence in healthcare prioritizes the nurse's well-being over the patient's.
The principle of benevolence in healthcare prioritizes the nurse's well-being over the patient's.
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Patients have the right to make decisions about their care, even if those decisions may harm themselves or others.
Patients have the right to make decisions about their care, even if those decisions may harm themselves or others.
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The principle of non-maleficence in healthcare requires doing good to patients, even if it means causing some harm.
The principle of non-maleficence in healthcare requires doing good to patients, even if it means causing some harm.
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Informed consent in healthcare is not necessary when patients are deemed competent to make decisions.
Informed consent in healthcare is not necessary when patients are deemed competent to make decisions.
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Healthcare professionals have a moral obligation to respect patients' autonomy, even if they disagree with their decisions.
Healthcare professionals have a moral obligation to respect patients' autonomy, even if they disagree with their decisions.
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The principle of justice in healthcare prioritizes individual needs over the greater good.
The principle of justice in healthcare prioritizes individual needs over the greater good.
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Healthcare professionals can disclose confidential information to family members if the patient consents.
Healthcare professionals can disclose confidential information to family members if the patient consents.
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Confidentiality in healthcare is absolute and can never be breached.
Confidentiality in healthcare is absolute and can never be breached.
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Study Notes
Course Overview
- The course provides an understanding of moral issues, professional ethics in nursing, and ethical challenges in nursing practice.
- The course aims to enhance nursing practice by exploring the role of ethics in addressing moral issues and dilemmas.
Learning Objectives
- Define the concept of ethics in nursing and its importance in professional practice.
- Understand the origins and meaning of ethics, particularly within the context of nursing.
- Explore the role of ethics in addressing moral issues and dilemmas encountered in nursing practice.
Core Ethical Principles of Nursing Practice
- Four key principles are generally recognized:
- Non-maleficence
- Beneficence
- Autonomy
- Justice
Non-maleficence
- Means "do no harm."
- Any action should not cause unnecessary harm or suffering to the patient.
- Includes both physical and psychological harm.
- Evidence-based practice is vital to minimize the risk of harm.
- Nurses must appraise the risk to the individual and use interventions and treatments to minimize risk and maximize benefits.
- Examples: stopping a medication that is causing harmful side effects, discontinuing a treatment strategy that is not effective and may be harmful.
Beneficence
- Means "do good" and promotes actions that benefit the patient.
- Nurses should support patients during their healing and recovery.
- Applies to all care processes, including administering medication and providing patients with information and education.
- There is often a need to balance the potential for a treatment to do good and do harm, particularly when administering drugs with side effects or in patients with complex care needs.
Autonomy
- States that patients should be able to act independently and should be in control of their fate.
- Patients should make decisions regarding their care or act intentionally, without being controlled or excessively forced.
- Nurses may try to influence patients to adopt a particular treatment strategy when that is the strategy with the strongest evidence base, but must not prevent patients from making their own decisions.
- Example: presenting all treatment options to a patient and providing them with sufficient information to make an informed choice in concert with medical advice.
Justice
- Entails obligations to act in a manner considered equitable, fair, and consistent with the rights of the individual.
- This is true even where family members of the patient may have an interest in the information; for instance, if a patient admits to substance abuse but does not wish their family to know.
- Confidentiality is complex; it is not always possible, or ethical, to withhold information from other parties when engaging in patient care.
- When the patient poses a risk of severe harm to themselves or others, the nurse may be obliged to share confidential information with members of law enforcement or associated professionals.
- Similarly, if the patient reveals medical information that may place others at risk, it is the duty of the nurse to consider their ethical obligation to protect the rights of the patient, balanced with the rights of others or society in general.
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Description
Test your knowledge of beneficence, a key principle of nursing ethics, and its application in patient care, including supporting patients during healing and recovery, and balancing potential benefits and risks of treatment.
