Ethical Principles
This ethical principle means "Do no harm."
What is nonmaleficence?
What determines whether a resident agrees to sexual activity?
What is Consent?
Two residents have the capacity to consent and freely choose a relationship. An adult daughter demands that staff end it because she disapproves. These people’s choices should guide the nurse.
Who are the residents?
This ethical principle means "Do good."
What is beneficence?
Who has the right to make decisions about a resident's relationship when the resident has the relevant decision-making capacity?
Who is the resident?
A nurse personally believes unmarried residents should not be sexually active. Both residents have the capacity to consent and freely agree. These people’s values should guide decisions about their relationship.
Who are the residents?
This ethical principle focuses on fairness and protecting all residents equally.
What is justice?
Does a diagnosis of dementia automatically mean a resident cannot consent to sexual activity?
What is no?
A resident requests private time with a consenting partner, but staff suggest making the roommate leave against their wishes. This person’s rights must also be respected.
Who is the roommate?
This principle supports a resident's right to make personal decisions.
What is autonomy?
A resident says “no” during sexual activity. What should staff understand?
What is the activity must stop?
During intimate contact, a resident pulls away and appears frightened. Their spouse says, “We’re married, I give permission.” This nursing response takes priority.
What is stopping the contact, protecting the resident, and reporting the concern?
A nurse wants to respect a resident's choices but is concerned about possible harm. These two ethical principles are in conflict.
What are autonomy and nonmaleficence?
A resident wants to spend private time with their partner. What should staff do?
What is respect resident's privacy?
A resident with dementia agreed to intimacy yesterday, but today appears confused and pulls away. Their partner says, “They already gave permission.” This is the nurse’s priority response.
What is stopping the activity, protecting the resident, and arranging reassessment of current consent and capacity?