Ethical Principles in Nursing Practice PDF

### Ethical Principles in Nursing Practice - Ethical principles are the basis of all nursing practice and provide a framework to help the nurse in ethical decision-making. - Ethical principles are divided into primary and secondary #### Primary Ethical Principles - **Non-maleficence:** To do no h...

### Ethical Principles in Nursing Practice - Ethical principles are the basis of all nursing practice and provide a framework to help the nurse in ethical decision-making. - Ethical principles are divided into primary and secondary #### Primary Ethical Principles - **Non-maleficence:** To do no harm - Do not inflict harm on people - Do not cause pain or suffering - Do not incapacitate - Do not deprive people - Do not kill - Both beneficence and non-maleficence underpin evidence-based practice. - **Autonomy:** - Self-governing; having the freedom to make independent choices and decision-making. - Self-determination. - Do not force people to do things - Informed consent is an important outcome of this principle. - **Beneficence:** - Views the primary goal of health care as doing good for clients. - Create a safe and supportive environment - Our actions must aim to benefit people- health, welfare, comfort, well-being, improve a person's potential, improve quality of life - Client approached in a holistic manner. - **Justice** - Obligation to be fair, and equitable to all people, regardless of any service you want to give. - Showing all individuals the same degree of respect and concern - The first statement in the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses #### Secondary Ethical Principles - **Respect:** you must respect patient's autonomy, dignity. - **Altruism:** Is to protect the community by supporting actions, to meet the health and social need of the public. - **Paternalism:** Is to protect the weak person. - **Veracity:** Is the obligation to tell the truth and not intentionally deceive or mislead clients. - **Fidelity:** Is the obligation to be loyal to the patient, community, and profession. Duty to be faithful to one's commitments, including: - To keep promises - Fidelity or faithful devotion to duty. - **Confidentiality:** Keep privileged information private and exceptions. Confidentiality means that nurses and doctors should only discuss the medical conditions and issues of a patient when there is a valid reason for doing so. - **Egoism:** Is the right to maximize personal benefits. - **Nurses autonomy:** The nurse must be autonomous which means: Never looking up on another person and has the right to self-determination. - **Utilitarianism:** Is the greatest good for the greatest members.