Complete List of Terms and Definitions for Nursing Ethics

Terms Definitions
Empiracle Knowledge gained.
Moral Philosophy Philosophical discussion.
Confidentiality: Ethical principlerequires nondisclosure of private or secret information with which one is entrusted.In Research, it refers to the researcher's assurance to participants that info provided will not be made public or available to anyone other than those involved in the research process without the patient's consent.
Forgery Fraud or intentional misrepresentation, for ex., altering or causing a grade to be altered in an academic record.
Cosmology: Branch of PhilosophyDescribes Structure, Origin, and Processes of the Universe.
Eugenics Keeping only the "good" babies.
Profession A complex, organized occupation preceded by a long training program.
Decision Process 1.Gather data.2.Identify key participants.3.moral perspective.4.determine desired outcome.5.identify options.6.act on choice.7.evaluate outcomes.8.spectrum of urgency.
Cheating: Dishonesty & Deception re: examinations, projects, or papers.
Philosophy The rational investigation of the truths and principles of knowledge, reality, and human conduct.
Accountability Being answerable to someone for something one has done. It is grounded in the moral principles of fidelity and respect for dignity, worth, and self-determination of clients.
Complementary Therapies Acupuncture, herbal & nutritional interventions, healing touch, massage, and guided imagery.
Advance Directives Instructions that indicate health care interventions to initiate or withhold, or that designate someone who will act as a surrogate in making such decisions in the event that we lose decision-making capacity.
Compassion: A focal VIRTUEcombines attituede of active regard for another's welfare with an imaginative awareness & emotional response of deep sympathy, tenderness, and discomfort at the other person's misfortune or suffering.
fidelity strict observance of promises, duties, etc.:
Bioethics Ethics specific to health care and serve as a framework to guide behavior in ethical dilemmas.
Autonomy Respect for a person's right to self-determination. (legal rights-right to refuse, informed consent, advanced directive)
Medical Futility Situations in which interventions are juedge to have no medical benefit, or in which the chance for success is low.
Authority The state of having legitimate power and sovereignty.
Values clarification The process of becoming more conscious of and naming what we value or consider worthy.
Appeals to conscience Personal and subjective beliefs, founded on a prior judgment of rightness or wrongness.
Constitutional law: Formal set of Rules & PrinciplesDescribes the Powers of Government and the Rights of the People.
Authority: The state of having legitimate power & sovereignity.
Battery: The Unlawful Touching of another or the carrying out of threatened physical harm including every willful, angry, and violent or negligent touching of another's person, clothes, or anything attached to his/her person or held by him/her.
Competence: A person's ability to make meaningful life decisions.A declaration of incompetence involves legal action with a ruling by a judge that the person is unable to make such life decisions.
Cultural Competence: Skill in dealing with Transcultural issues, a.e.b. Cultural Awareness & Cultural Sensitivity.
Deontology Actions are based on moral rules and unchanging principles, such as, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." An ethical person must always follow the rules, even if doing so causes a less desireable outcome.
Ethics committees Serve to make decisions on ethical dilemmas caused by the complexities found in health care. Membership includes representatives from nursing and administration, medicine, clergy, clinical social service, nutritional service, pharmacy and the legal profession.
Teleology A person must take those actions that lead to good outcomes. The outcome of an act determines whether the act is good or of value and that achievement of a good outcome justifies using a less desirable means to attain the end.
Patient Self-Determination Act A federal law requiring institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes, HMOs, & home care agencies receiving Medicare or Midicaid funds to provide written info. to adult patients regarding their rights to make health care decisions.
Values conflict Personal values are at odds with those of patients, colleagues, or the institution.
Criminal Law: Type of LawDeals with Crimes or Actions considered Harmful to Society.
Categorical Imperative: The Kantian maxim stating that no action can be judged as "right" which cannot reasonably become a law by which every person should always abide.
Culture: The total lifeways of a group of interacting individuals, c/o Learned Patterns of Values, Beliefs, Behaviors, & Customs shared by that group.
Belmont Report: Policies developed by the US National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical & Behavioral Research (1978) regarding ethical principles for research with human subjects.
What is Beneficence? actively doing good for your patient-avocacy, nursing interventions, observing 5 rights of med pass, etc.
Mrs. Jones rides the elevator to the fifth floor where her husband is a patient. While on the elevator, Mrs. Jones hears two nurses talking about Mr. Jones. They are discussing the potential prognosis and whether Mr. Jones should be told. The nurses are v B. confidentiality
Failure of autonomy Pt. has a different thought process. Pt. has different values. Pt. has different knowledge. Nurse focuses on work instead of pt.
Utilitarianism Bentham & Mill. Action is good or bad in relation to the consequence. Do unto others. Deals with outcomes.
Conjunctive Faith Stage 5. Requires an opening to our inner depths in which we are able to recognize values, beliefs, and myths developed within our particular cultural, social, or religious tradition that separate one from others.
Ethical Treatment of Data Integrity of research protocols and honesty in reporting findings.
Ethic of Caring The moral imperative is grounded in relationship with and responsibility for one another.
Individuative-Reflective Faith Stage 4. Persons must begin to take responsibility for their own beliefs, values, and commitments.
Material Rules To each person: an equal share, to each person according to: need, merit, social contribution, the person's rights, the greatest good to the greatest number.
What are pluralistic ethics? modern day bioethics; combo of deontology and utilitarianism and includes "ethic of caring." aka: "virtue ethics"
What is justice? to treat all patients fairly w/o regard to their age, status, disease process, sex, or any other attributes
The nurse demonstrates nonmaleficence by doing which of the following? Select all that apply.__Observing the six rights of medication administration.__Reviewing practitioner orders for accuracy and completeness.__Keeping knowledge and skill up-to-date.__D All.Observing the six rights of medication administration.Reviewing practitioner orders for accuracy and completeness.Keeping knowledge and skill up-to-date.Dressing professionally with name badge clearly visible.
Spectrum of Urgency The amount of time available before a decision of care has to be made.
Internal standards of nursing practice Those developed within the profession of nursing for the purpose of establishing the minimum level of nursing care.
Common Law: A System of law, aka "Case Law" based largely on previous court decisions. In this system, decisions are based upon earlier court rulings in similar cases, or precedents. Over time, these precedents take on the force of law.
What are 9 standards for assessing ethical reasoning? clarity, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, logic, significance, and fairness.
External standards of nursing practice Guides for nursing care that are developed by non-nurses, the government, or institutions.
What is a value system? an organization of values in which each is ranked along a continuum of importance, often leading to a personal code of conduct.
Ethical dilemmas may be referred to the ethics committee byA.medical practitioners onlyB.nursing and medical practitioners, lawyers, all health care team members, and families of patientsC.lawyers onlyD.hospital administration only B. nursing and medical practitioners, lawyers, all health care team members, and families of patients.
What is fairness and what are its fallacies? def: not self-serving or "spinning" the facts or the issue.
fallacies: appeal to prejudice (personal attack & poisoning the well), loaded question
What do strict believers of deontology believe? absoluteness of the ethical principles regardless of the consequences or decisions made. eg. defending your children against an attacker. deontologists would not defend because though shall not harm/kill.
The nurse manager has an ethical responsibility toA.the patientB.the organizationC.the professionD.the patient, the organization, the profession, and society D. the patient, the organization, the profession, and society.
What are some disadvantages to deontology? very black and white not taking the grey into account. situational components- stuck in past, unchanging. Can't make exceptions, results don't matter.
What is the law and how is it different from ethics? law: public policy; minimal enforcement that everyone has to abide by
where ethics hold people to different (more strict) standards. Something may be against the law but ethical and vice versa.
When the nurse is obtaining the patient's consent, the patient states that the surgeon did not inform the the patient of the risks of surgery. The nurse shouldA.tell the patient the risks.B.report the surgeon to the ethics committee.C.report the surgeon D. inform the surgeon that the patient is unaware of the risks.
What are the disadvantages of utilitarianism? "even if it makes me happy is it the best thing?" Things that make us happy may not be the best for others, individuals rights may be lost. What is good? may have arbitrary idea of what is good. "end justifies means" -is action still good if others are harmed in the course?
What is the fallacy appeal to fear and give an example of it? Def: use of something threatening to persuade an agreement
eg. or else statements, using threats
What is relevance and what is its fallacy? give def and example. relating to the matter at hand so that it helps with the issue.
fallacy: red herring- a distracting statemnent which diverts attention from the issue
eg. politics, kid saying "she did it" to divert parents attention from wrong they actually did
Ethics Social morality
Justice The principle of fairness
First obligation To the patient
Jameton 1984. Moral uncertainty. Moral Dilemma. Moral distress.
Focal Virtues Compassion. Integrity, moral character. Trustworthiness. Discernment (wisdom)
Activism: Passionate approach committed to seeking a more JUST social order through:*Critical Analysis*Provocation*Transformation &*Rebalancing of Power
Veracity The obligation to tell the truth
Values Ideals, beliefs, customs, modes of conduct, qualities or goals that are highly prozed or preferred by individuals.
Advance Directive Instructions indicating one's wishes regarding health care interventions or designating someone to act as a surrogate in making such decisions in the event that one loses decision making capacity.
Assault: The unjustifiable attempt or threat to touch a person without consent that results in fear of immediately harmful or threatening contact.
Cartesian Philosophy: Widespread belief during the Renaissance r/t Descarte's proposal that the universe is a physical thing, and all therein is analogous to machines that can be analyzed and understood, and that the mind and body are separate entities.
Communitarian Theories: Theories of JusticeCOMMUNITY at center of value system;*Value of PUBLIC goods,*Conceived of values rooted in communal practices.
Autonomy: An ethical principle that literally means "Self-Governing." It denotes havin the freedom to make independent choices.
Ethical Delimmas Enter your back text here.
values Personal beliefs about the truth of ideals, standards, principles, objects and behaviors that give meaning and direction to life.
Naturalism Based on human nature & psychology. People make similar decisions.
Euthanasia Causing the painless death of a person in order to end or prevent suffering.
Competence The ability to make meaningful life decisions.
Faith A generic feature of the human struggle to find and maintain meanding...a dynamic existential stance, a way of leaning into and finding or giving meaning to the conditions of our lives.
Covert Values: Expectations that are NOT in writingOften identified only through Participation in, or controversies within, an Organization or Institution.
Anonymity: A situation in which even the researcher can not link information with a particular participant in a study.
Axiology: Branch of Philosophy that studies the Nature & Types of Values.
ACCOUNTABILITY: State of being answerable to someone for something one has done.
What is veracity? Truth telling. eg. med errors
Personal philosophy stems from an individual's beliefs and values, which in turn, develop based upon a person's experiences in life, cultural influences, and education.
Standards of Nursing Practice Written documents outlining minimum expectations for safe nursing care.
Coercion Threat of harm or penalty for not participating in the research or offering excessive rewards for participation.
Universalizing Faith Stage 6. Absolute love and justice become prime, and we focus energy on transforming the present reality toward a transcendent actuality inclusive of all beings.
Quality of Life A subjective appraisal of factors that make life worth living and contribute to a positive experience of life.
Mature profession Accountability is the hallmark of a mature profession.
Ethic of justice An approach to ethical decision making based on objective rules and principles in which choices are made from a stance of separateness.
Mythic-Literal Faith Stage 2. Story provides a major source of meaning and a world view based on reciprocity and fairness.
Administrative Law: Branch that consists mainly of the Legal powers granted to ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES by the legislature, and the rules that the agencies make to carry out their powers.
What are morals? refers to personal or communal standards of right and wrong.
beneficence the doing of good; active goodness or kindness; charity.
Moral Values A special case of values because the particular circumstances that call them forth deal with ethical issues or dilemmas.
Ethical Discernment 2 Values that have merit, one is better - the prima facie duty.
Mechanisms of Accountability Code of ethics, standards of nursing practice, nurse practice acts, nursing theory and practice derived from research.
Guardian Ad Litem Guardian of a person. Makes decisions regarding life and health.
Code of Nursing Ethics: Explicit declaration of the primary goals & values of the profession thatindicate the profession's acceptance of the responsibility & trust with which it has been invested by society.
What is Deontology? a system of ethical decision making based on moral rules and unchanging principles aka "duty based ethics"
When did Utilitarianism start and who started it? 1700's, David Hume
What is clarity, its fallacy? def: meaning is easily understandable
fallacy: word ambiguity- word used in an unclear manner
Informed Consent (in research) The researcher must ensure that the person who is agreeing to participate in the study comprehends the information included in the consent & has a chance to receive clarifications & additional information when needed.
Respect for human dignity The rights to full disclosure and self-determination or automony.
Decison making Capacity: Ability of a person to Understand All information about a health condition, to communicate understanding & choices, and to Reason & Deliberate;and the possession of personal values & goals that guide the decision.
What is autonomy? pts right to make their own decisions w/o coercion; based on respect for the individual; individual needs to have mental, emotional and legal capacity to make decisions
Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR) A written directive placed in the patient's medical chart indicating that CPR is to be avoided.
What is the fallacy hasty generalization and give an example of it? a conclusion reached w/o sufficient data
eg. "all nurses steal meds" , judging a book by its cover.
The nurse realizes that neglecting to inform the patient about the plan of care is a violation ofA.the Patient's Bill of Right'sB.the patient's right to privacyC.the patient's right to confidentialityD.the fifth amendment of the constitution A. the Patient's Bill of Rights.
What is the fallacy prejudicial langauge and give and example of it? def: words which carry a persuasive emotional power.
eg. terrorist, noncomliant, any slur against a group
What is logic and its fallacies? def: the conclusions flow from the evidence; no contradictions
fallacies: pointing to another wrong, inconsistencies and contradictions, false analogy, false cause, slippery slope, is-ought
The primary role of an ethics committee is toA.decide what should be done when ethical dilemmas ariseB.prevent the practitioner from making the wrong decisionC.provide guidance for the health care team and family of the patientD.prevent ethical dilemmas f C. provide guidance for the health care team and family of the patient.
How is morals different from ethics? ethics are an action, morals are our personal beliefs based on teaching and guidelines as we grew up; may overlap
What is the fallacy questionable statistic and give an example? def: use of number which are stated without a source or margin of error.
eg. distorted statistics, "9 of 10 dentists approve...." "lose weight like these women with these pills...."
What is the fallacy pointing to another wrong and give an example? def: two wrongs make a right
eg. eye for an eye "he hurt me so I'll hurt him back." "she cheated on me so I will cheat on her"
Deontology is based on categorical imperative, what is this? belief that it is not the result of the act which makes it right or wrong, but the principles upon which the act is based.