Ethics & Ethical Principles

Summary

This educational session delves into the realm of ethics in nursing, focusing on key principles like autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, fidelity, and veracity. A thought-provoking scenario involving a nurse, a patient with cancer, and a family's wish for secrecy is used to explore the complexities of ethical decision-making. The lecture aims to equip students with the ability to navigate moral dilemmas in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of respecting patient autonomy while balancing it with other ethical considerations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ethics is a study of moral principles that govern human behavior, helping individuals understand right from wrong.
• 👩‍⚕️ Autonomy in healthcare means respecting a patient's right to be involved in decisions about their care, acknowledging their independence.
• 🏥 Beneficence is the principle of doing good, where nurses are obliged to take positive actions that benefit the patient's health.
• 🚫 Non-maleficence emphasizes 'do no harm,' avoiding actions that could intentionally or unintentionally cause harm to patients.
• ⚖️ Justice in nursing practice involves fair distribution of resources and equitable treatment of all patients, ensuring fairness in healthcare delivery.
• 🤝 Fidelity is about keeping promises made to patients, which builds trust and is crucial for maintaining a good nurse-patient relationship.
• 🗣️ Veracity is the principle of truth-telling, which is essential for upholding patient autonomy and trust.
• 🤔 The nurse's dilemma in the script highlights the complexity of ethical decision-making, where principles like veracity may conflict with family wishes or doctor's advice.
• 🧠 Making ethical decisions in nursing requires a high level of cognitive ability, knowledge, and experience to balance competing principles and patient needs.
• 📝 The six main ethical principles discussed are fundamental to everyday nursing practice and are essential for providing quality patient care.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the session described in the transcript?

The main focus of the session is to understand ethics and ethical principles in nursing, particularly in the context of a scenario where a nurse is faced with a dilemma of whether to disclose a patient's cancer diagnosis to the patient, despite the family's wishes to keep it a secret.

What does the term 'ethics' refer to in the context of the transcript?

In the context of the transcript, 'ethics' refers to the study of conduct and character, which is a method of inquiry that helps people understand the morality of human behavior.

What are the six main ethical principles discussed in the transcript?

The six main ethical principles discussed are autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, fidelity, and veracity.

How is autonomy defined in the transcript?

Autonomy is defined as freedom from external control, referring to the commitment to include patients in decisions about all aspects of care as a way of acknowledging and protecting the patient's independence.

What is the principle of beneficence and how does it apply to nursing?

Beneficence refers to taking positive actions to help others, and in nursing, it means doing good by implementing actions that benefit the clients and their support persons.

What does non-maleficence mean in the context of nursing?

Non-maleficence means avoiding harm or hurt, and in nursing, it is about not causing intentional or unintentional harm to patients.

How is the principle of justice applied in healthcare as described in the transcript?

Justice in healthcare refers to fairness, especially in discussions about access to health care resources and the distribution of those resources.

What does fidelity entail in the context of nursing?

Fidelity in nursing refers to keeping promises and being faithful to the agreements made with patients, such as returning with medication or following up on inquiries.

How is veracity different from other ethical principles discussed in the transcript?

Veracity is the principle of telling the truth and is related to autonomy. It can sometimes be straightforward, but in nursing practice, it may not always be clear, especially when it conflicts with other principles like respecting the family's wishes.

What dilemma does the nurse face in the scenario presented in the transcript?

The nurse faces a dilemma of whether to tell the truth about the patient's cancer diagnosis, which would go against the family's wishes and possibly the doctor's, or to withhold the information, which conflicts with the principle of veracity.

What factors should the nurse consider when making a decision in the ethical dilemma presented?

The nurse should consider the degree of harm that telling the truth might cause, the patient's emotional status, and the importance of respecting the family's wishes versus upholding the principle of veracity.