Chapter 22

Question 1

What is an ethical dilemma? How are they resolved?

Answer 1

– ethical dilemma: when 2 opposing courses of action can both be justified by ethical principles

• almost always occur due to conflicting values

– resolved by distinguishing among values, facts, and opinion; there is no right answer in a true ethical dilemma

Question 2

Distinguish between deontology, utilitarianism, casuistry, feminist ethics, and ethics of care?

Answer 2

– deontology: right and wrong are defined based on adherence to rules and principles

– utilitarianism: value is determined based on usefulness

• consequentialism: outcomes/consequences-focused

– casuistry: case-based reasoning; focuses on details of a situation

– feminist ethics: focus on nature of relationships to make decisions

– ethics of care: delivery of health care based on ethical principles and standards of care

Question 3

What is moral distress? How can it be offset?

Answer 3

– moral distress: when a HCW feels the need to take a specific action while believing that action to be wrong

– can be reduced or offset by promoting discourse and communication

Question 4

What is the purpose of an ethical committee? (3)

Answer 4

1. providing clinical ethics consultation
2. develop and revise policies pertaining to clinical ethics
3. educate on clinical ethics

Question 5

How is an intervention weighed based on the quality of life it will provide a patient?

Answer 5

any intervention that creates a burden for the patient/family must be offset by the benefit received from that intervention