Chapter 22

Question 1

Code of ethics

Answer 1

• A set of guiding principles, expectations, and standards that all members of a profession accept
• Responsibility, accountability, advocacy, and confidentiality

Question 2

Autonomy

Answer 2

• Freedom from external control

- The authority to make decisions and freedom to act in accordance with ones professional knowledge base

Question 3

Beneficence

Answer 3

• Taking positive actions to help others

- Nurses practice primarily as a service to others, even in the details of daily work

Question 4

Nonmaleficence

Answer 4

• Avoidance of harm or hurt

- Balance the risks and benefits of care while striving at the same time to do the least harm possible

Question 5

Justice

Answer 5

• Fairness

Question 6

Fidelity

Answer 6

• Agreement to keep promises

- The unwillingness to abandon patients regardless of the circumstances

Question 7

Advocacy

Answer 7

• Support of a particular cause
• Advocate for the health, safety, and rights of patients
• Your first responsibility is always to the patient

Question 8

Responsibility

Answer 8

• A willingness to respect ones professional obligations and to follow through
• Follow policies and procedures

Question 9

Accountability

Answer 9

• The ability to answer for ones actions

- Ensure your professional actions are explainable to your patients and your employer

Question 10

Confidentiality

Answer 10

• Act of keeping information private or secret
• Disclose only as much info as necessary to permit optimal care
• HIPAA

Question 11

Values

Answer 11

• Personal beliefs about the worth of a given idea, custom, attitude, or object that sets standards that influence behavior

Question 12

Values clarification

Answer 12

• Clarifying your values/the values of your co-workers and those of your patient and their family
• Helps you explore values and feelings and decide how to act on personal beliefs and respect values of others, even if they differ from yours

Question 13

Veracity

Answer 13

• Conformity to facts, devotion to truth

- Accuracy

Question 14

What are the 7 steps to resolving an ethical dilemma?

Answer 14

1. Ask: Is this an ethical dilemma?
2. Gather information relevant to the case
3. Clarify values
4. Verbalize the problem
5. Identify possible courses of action
6. Negotiate a plan
7. Evaluate the plan over time

Question 15

4 major issues in health care ethics

Answer 15

1. Quality of life
2. Disabilities
3. Care at the end of life
4. Health care reform