Ethics
The systematic study of what a person's conduct, and actions should regard self, other human beings, and the environment
Ethics
Occurs when an individual questions why morality in practice is even necessary
Moral Indifference
Decision making based on what provides the greatest good for the greatest number of people
Utilitarian (teleological) theory
One person assumes the authority to make a decision for another
Paternalism
Combines the nursing process and principles of biomedical ethics. Useful in clarifying ethical problems that result from conflicting obligations
Moral Decision-Making Model
Requires application of normative ethical theory to everyday problems
Applied Ethics
Occurs when an individual witnesses the immoral act of another but feels powerless to stop it
Some decisions must be made because there is a duty to do something or not do something
Duty-based (deontological)
Telling the truth
Veracity
Primarily formed to protect the rights and welfare of research subjects. Provide oversight that individuals conducting research adhere to ethical principles
Institutional Review Boards (IRB's)
Who must have knowledge of ethical principles and frameworks, use a professional approach that eliminates trial and error and focuses on proven decision-making models, and use available organizational processes to assist in making such decisions?
Nurse managers
Occurs when the individual knows the right thing to do but organizational constraints make it difficult to take the right course of action
Moral Distress
Based in belief that things are a person's just due (everyone has basic claims, or entitlements, that should not be interfered with)
Rights-based (deontological)
What is best for the common good outweighs what is best for the individual
Utility
Cyclic nature that allows for feedback at any step. Allows cycle to repeat until adequate amount of information is gathered to make a decision
The Nursing Process
Include institutional review boards (IRBs), ethics committees, and professional codes of ethics
Organizational process
Occurs when an individual is unsure which moral principles or values apply
Moral Uncertainty or Moral Conflict
Each case weighed on a case-by-case basis to determine relative goals, duties, and rights
Intuitionist (deontological)
Keeping promises
Fidelity
Who has responsibility to create a climate in their organizations in which ethical behavior is not only the expectation, but the norm.
Nursing Managers
Lack of balance between patient care and administrative duties and pressure to admit patients above the approved number of beds on the unit are examples of what?
Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing Middle Management
Most difficult of all moral issues. Being forced to choose between two or more undesirable alternatives
Moral or Ethical Dilemma
This Theory judges whether the action is right or wrong regardless of the consequences. Based on philosophy of Emanuel Kant of the 18th Century
Deontological Ethical Theory
States that if one cannot do good, then one should not do harm
Nonmaleficence
This code functions as a guide to the HIGHEST ethical practice standards for nurses as an aid for moral thinking
American Nurses Association Code of Ethics and Professional Standards