Gapuz Mentors: NCLEX REVIEW on ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

Summary

This educational video script focuses on ethical principles in nursing, emphasizing their application in real-life scenarios. Key principles discussed include veracity (truth-telling), autonomy (freedom of choice), beneficence (promoting well-being), non-maleficent (do no harm), and justice (fairness). The script uses a flu vaccination scenario to illustrate these principles, guiding nurses to make ethical decisions. It also encourages test-takers to analyze questions deeply, avoiding canned answers, and highlights the importance of ethical practice in nursing.

Takeaways

• 📚 Ethical principles are vital for nurses and include veracity (truth-telling), autonomy (freedom of choice), beneficence (promoting well-being), non-maleficence (do no harm), and justice (fairness).
• 💉 Vaccines are preventive and do not treat existing conditions; this is an example of veracity in action.
• 🤝 Respecting a patient's decision to delay vaccination demonstrates the principle of autonomy.
• 🛡 Administering a vaccine despite potential side effects for the greater good illustrates beneficence.
• 🩸 Choosing the smallest needle to minimize pain during vaccination is an application of non-maleficence.
• 👶 Prioritizing the vaccination of a child over an adult in a resource-limited scenario reflects the principle of justice.
• 🗣️ Nurses should be honest and truthful when answering patients' questions, even if it's about sensitive topics like impending death.
• 🚫 Unethical practices include pretending not to have been requested to work overtime and not reporting a co-worker's misuse of narcotics.
• 📝 Proper documentation, such as recording a patient's refusal of treatment, is an ethical nursing practice.
• 🌟 Ethical practice is not just about memorizing definitions but applying these principles in real-life scenarios to guide decision-making.
• 💪 Believing in one's ability to succeed and maintaining a positive attitude can lead to overcoming challenges and achieving professional goals.

Q & A

What does the term 'veracity' mean in the context of ethical principles?

Veracity refers to the principle of truth-telling, which means being honest and providing accurate information.

How is the principle of 'autonomy' applied in a nursing scenario?

Autonomy is applied by respecting the patient's freedom of choice, such as allowing a patient to decide whether or not to receive a vaccine at a given time.

What does 'beneficence' imply in ethical nursing practice?

Beneficence involves promoting the well-being of others, even if it might cause some discomfort, like administering a vaccine that may cause mild fever to prevent a more serious illness.

Can you explain the principle of 'non-maleficent' in the context of nursing?

Non-maleficent means doing no harm or minimizing harm to patients. For example, choosing the smallest needle possible to minimize pain during an injection.

What does 'justice' represent in nursing ethics?

Justice in nursing ethics is about fair and equitable distribution of resources, such as deciding who should receive a limited vaccine supply, prioritizing the most vulnerable.

How should a nurse respond to a patient asking 'am I dying' according to the principle of veracity?

A nurse should respond truthfully but cautiously, acknowledging the uncertainty and offering to involve the healthcare provider for a more accurate explanation.

What action demonstrates ethical practice when a patient refuses treatment?

Ethical practice involves notifying a healthcare provider about the patient's refusal and their plan to discontinue treatment, facilitating communication and respect for the patient's decision.

Why is it unethical for a nurse to pretend not to have been formally requested to work overtime?

This is unethical because it shows a lack of commitment to patient care and can lead to inadequate patient attention, which is a breach of the nurse's duty of care.

How does documenting a patient's refusal to use an incentive spirometer reflect ethical practice?

Documenting such refusals is ethical as it respects the patient's autonomy and ensures a record of their decisions, which can be important for future care and communication.

What does it mean to act with 'veracity' when administering immunization to an infant?

Acting with veracity in this context means providing accurate information about the immunization, its benefits, and potential side effects to the parents or caregivers.

Why is it important for nurses to avoid canned answers when applying ethical principles?

Avoiding canned answers allows nurses to analyze each situation individually, applying ethical principles appropriately and ensuring patient-centered care that respects each patient's unique circumstances.