Define ethics?
Ethics is the analysis of rational processes to decide a course of action where conflicting options exist
What are values?
Values come from an individuals beliefs and attitudes that influence actions and decisions.
List the principles of moral reasoning.
- autonomy
- non-maleficence
- beneficence
- justice
- veracity and fidelity
What is autonomy?
The capacity of a rational individual to make an informed, in-coerced decision.
What is beneficence?
The act of doing good.
-to act on the benefit of others
What is non-maleficence?
To do no harm
Define justice?
A fair, equitable and appropriate treatment in light of what is due or owed to an individual.
List the types of consent
- implied
- spoken
- written
What are the requirements of consent?
- valid consent
- freely and voluntarily given
- person has legal capacity to give consent
- person in informed of procedure
What is patient advocacy?
A person chosen by an individual to make medical decisions on behalf of that person n the situation where the individual becomes incompetent.
What is medical futility?
A rationale for why treatment, including life saving or sustaining treatment is not considered to be in the patients best interest.
What is conscientious objection?
A refusal to participate in any procedure that would violate their reasoned moral conscious.
How is brain death determined?
Determined by:
- unresponsive coma
- absence of brainstem reflexes
- absence of respiratory centre function
Must be certified by two medical practitioners
What is eschar?
When the skin has been severely burned. It has a leathery appearance consistent with the coagulated dead skin of a full thickness burn.
What is an escharotomy?
When the burned skin is incised down to the subcutaneous fat with a scalpel. They should be deep enough for obvious separation of the wound edges to occur.
Define Mortality?
What is considered right or wrong
Why is framework required?
It is required to analyse and synthesise information t make sound ethical and moral decisions
What are the principles that make up moral reasoning?
- autonomy
- beneficence
- veracity and fidelity
- non-maleficence
- justice
What are the 3 types of consent?
- implied
- verbal
- written
What must an individual be able to do to be competent to give consent?
- they must be able to comprehend and retain information
- weigh up the information
- make a decision based on that ability
What may impair a person’s capacity to consent?
- be over the age of 18 (legal age)
- impaired judgement
- have mental health issues
- be intellectually disabled
- legal capacity
Define pt advocacy
When a person is chosen by an individual to make medical decisions on their behalf in the situation where the individual becomes incompetent
What is medical futility?
It is a rational for why treatment which can include lifesaving. Or sustaining treatment is not considered to be in the pt’s best interest and is therefore ceased
What does DNR stand for
Do Not Resuscitate - pts decision to withhold CPR
