ethical issues, legal issues, texas nurse practice act and nurse jurisprudence exam, Delegation & prioritization of client care Exam Questions and Answers

ethical issues, legal issues, texas nurse practice act and nurse jurisprudence exam, Delegation & prioritization of client care Exam Questions and Answers define terminology commonly used in discussions about ethical issues - Answer- advance directive- a written statement of a persons wishes about how he or she would like health care decisions to be made if he or she ever loses the ability to make such decisions independently bioethical issues- subjects that raise concerns of right and wrong in matters involving human life (eg euthanasia, abortion) bioethics- ethics concerning life durable power of attorney for health care- a document that allows a person to name someone else to make medical decisions for him or her if he or she is unable to do so. this spokesperson's authority begins only when the patient is incompetent to make those decisions ethics- rules or principles that determine which human actions are right or wrong ethical dilemma- 1. a situation involving competing rules or principles that appear to have no satisfactory solution 2. a choice between two or more equally undesirable alternatives living will- a document that allows a person to state in advance that life-sustaining treatment is not to be administered if the person later is terminally ill and incompetent moral/ethical principles- fundamental values or assumptions about the way individuals should be treated and cared for moral courage- the willingness to do what is right despite the fear of consequences moral distress- feeling of powerlessness to do what is right and ethical moral reasoning- a process of considering and selecting approaches to resolve ethical issues moral uncertainty- a situation that exists when the individual is unsure which moral principles or values apply in a given situation values- beliefs that are considered very important and frequently influence an individuals behavior analyze personal values that influence approaches to ethical issues and decision making - Answer- what do you value? -clarify your values choosing-what values do i hold important? prizing- dot these work for me? acting on your value choice. this is who i am your values may change overtime consider how your values affect your decision making consider how you bring your own values into your nursing practice apply the 6 basic ethical principles to nursing scenarios - Answer- Which principle is most important? a. Risk versus benefit - from the patient's perspective 2. How to determine who owns the problem? a. Determine the facts of the case. b. Identify the ethical issues of the situation. c. Consider possible courses of action and their outcomes. d. After a course of action has been taken, evaluate the outcome. Applying ethical principles to nursing scenarios: a. Autonomy - A patient's right to make decisions - self-determination - without outside control. i. Nurses need to respect a patient's right to make decisions about his healthcare. ii. "You have the right to decide about your healthcare." b. Beneficence - Duty to actively do good for patients. i. Nurses need to identify a patient's needs and help meet them ii. "My actions are done to help you." c. Nonmaleficence - Duty to prevent or avoid doing harm, whether intentional or unintentional. i. The nurse must protect patients from coming to harm. ii. "I won't let harm come to you." d. Fidelity - the duty to be faithful to commitments. Loyalty. Follow through. Includes confidentiality. i. The nurse keeps confidential information confidential and follows through on commitments. ii. "I promise ... and I always keep my promises." e. Justice -the duty to treat all patients fairly without regard to age, socioeconomic status, or other variables