WEEK 2 Flashcards
Understand ethics in the role of nursing
How can ethics be defined?
Making decisions, choosing right from wrong, acting within one’s individual values–each person has their own set of personal ethics and morals
What are 5 important ethical principals?
Autonomy, beneficence, veracity, fidelity, and justice
Define autonomy
freedom or independence to make own decisions
Define beneficence
actions guided by compassion/kindness
Veracity
telling the truth
Define fidelity
keeping promises or commitments
Define justice
actions are fair and equitable
How would one define altruism?
to do something or act for the sake of benefiting someone
How would one define dignity?
Implies that everyone, regardless of race, religion, sex, gender, or other individual identification, has value and should be respected simply because human beings are all equal.
How would one define integrity?
the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles or moral uprightness
Social justice (aka distributive justice) means what in healthcare?
this principle suggest that regardless of societal status, every person has the right to quality health care
What can happen if a nurse acts in a way that is not consistent with best practice standards and harm is caused to client as a result?
The nurse could be charged with malpractice (or known as professional negligence)
When would a tort be commited?
if an individual carries out OR fails to carry out an act and that results in injury or harm to a client
How can torts be categorized?
intentional or unintentional
Implied consent
consent that is implied by actions
What is an example of implied consent?
A nurse says to a client, “Okay, I am here to give you your flu shot.” The client then rolls his sleeve up, preparing for the shot.
Informed consent
consent that is expressed in writing
What does informed consent require?
providers to educate clients about the risks, benefits, and alternatives to procedures
Why must informed consent by provided?
clients can make well-informed decisions about their health care
Good Samaritan Laws
A nurse decides to act outside of work, these laws protects the nurses from being held responsibe for harm, so long as the nurse is not being willfully negligent and is working within his/her licensure capacity
Define whistleblowing
an act when a person formally reports on illegal, wrongdoing, or unethical practices
What can whistleblowing result in?
It can result in punitive actions against the accused, but can also cause stress, fear of reprisal, and retaliation for the whistleblower
Why are some hesitant to be a whistleblower?
fear or reporting is a huge obstacle, but many laws exist to protect whistleblowers
Define mandatory reporting
legislation mandates that certain officials have a legal duty to report information that can prevent maltreatment and provide safety to another individual. Licensed nurses are mandatory reporters.
Informatics
Defined as the use of technology and information to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision making
Nursing informatics
defined as the integration of technology and physical devices with nursing knowledge and nursing clinical decision making-making skills
In what year did the ANA designate nursing informatics as its own specialty practice?
1992
What does Healthy People 2020 name health literacy as?
a subheading to the social determinates of health and health care
What are the four elements that the International Council of Nurses (ICN) addresses for the ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses?
Clients and others seeking health care, the practice of nursing, professional responsibilities of the nurse, and global health
The ICN released an updates ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses in 2021. What are some included additional elements?
equity and social justice, climate change and the impact this has on health, the changing roles of technology and social determinants of health, as well as the nurse’s role and responsibility in achieving sustainable development goals as established by the United Nations in 2015.
Define Code of Ethics
Developed by the ANA, this document outlines rules for nurses about client privacy, nursing conduct, and nursing behaviors to protect clients and the profession.
How many provisions does the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Standards (aka the Code) have?
9
What does provisions 1 to 3 refer to in the Code?
the fundamental values of the nursing profession and the nurse’s commitment to those that they care for
What are some bullet points from provisions 1 to 3?
The nurse should provide compassionate care and respect for the client.
The nurse should recognize that each client is unique, has worth, and deserves to be treated with dignity.
The nurse should be an advocate for each client’s rights and needs.
The nurse should promote and protect the health and safety of each client.
What does provisions 4 to 6 refer to in the Code?
the duty and loyalty that the nurse is expected to show to their clients and themselves
What are some bullet points from provisions 4 to 6?
The nurse should demonstrate authority, accountability, and responsibility for promoting best practices.
The nurse should promote health and provide the best care they can for each client.
The nurse should maintain competence, practice the accepted values of the nursing profession, and promote a healthy and safe practice environment.
The nurse should adhere to the ethical principles of the nursing profession.
What do provisions 7 to 9 refer to in the Code?
the duty and loyalty the nurse is expected to show beyond direct client encounters and to the nursing profession as a whole
What are some bullet points from provisions 7 to 9?
The nurse should promote the profession of nursing through research and inquiry.
The nurse should participate in the development of standards of practice and policies governing nursing and health care.
The nurse should collaborate with other members of the interprofessional team to protect the rights of all individuals and decrease health disparities.
The nurse should promote the integrity of the nursing profession.
Define nonmaleficence
the ethical principle that refers to the nurse’s obligation to do no harm
What is “the Code” for nursing students?
The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (The Essentials) was created by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to narrow the list to five professional values and behaviors in nursing (Elliot, 2017).
What are the five values from the Essentials?
Nurses of all practice levels share these same core values, which include altruism, human dignity, integrity, autonomy, and social justice.
Define altruism
To do something, or take action, for the sake of benefiting someone else.
What is an example of being an altruistic nurse?
being an advocate for your client and their best interest
Define human dignity
each individual, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, culture, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or any of our characteristics or personal preferences, has intrinsic value and should be respected and treated equally
What are some examples/aspects of human dignity?
Maintaining client privacy, showing respect, providing culturally competent care, and ensuring confidentially
Define integrity
a nurse demonstrates honesty, even when circumstances challenge the nurse’s character, and it can be difficult to sustain
How does the AACN describe integrity for nurses?
upholding professional standards of the Code, even in difficult times
What is an example of integrity?
the nurse is honest and provides care to clients using the ethical framework that is accepted within the profession
