NURS 222 Ch 6 Legal and Ethical Considerations Notes
>Ethics
Study of philosophical beliefs about what is right or wrong in a society
>Bioethics
Study of ethical questions that arise in healthcare
5 principles:
o Beneficence: duty to act to benefit or promote the good of others (ex: spending
extra time to help calm an anxious patient).
o Autonomy: respecting the rights of others to make their own decisions (ex:
acknowledging the patient’s right to refuse medications supports autonomy).
o Justice: duty to distribute resources or care equally, regardless of personal
attributes (Ex: an ICU nurse devotes equal attention to someone who has
attempted suicide as to someone who has suffered a brain aneurysm).
o Fidelity (nonmaleficence): Maintaining loyalty and commitment to the patient
and doing no wrong to the patient (Ex: maintaining expertise in nursing skill
through continuing nursing education).
o Veracity: duty to communication truthfully (ex: describing purpose and side
effects of psychotropic medications in a truthful and nonmisleading way).
>Voluntary Admissions
Informal Admission
o Least restrictive of all
o It is similar to any general hospital admission in which there is no formal
application
o Person does not pose a substantial threat or harm to self or others
o Patient is free to stay or leave, even against medical advice
Voluntary Admission
o Patients apply in writing for admission to the facility
o Person must understand need for treatment and willing to be admitted
o If under 16, parent/legal guardian/custodian/next of kin may have authority to
apply on the person’s behalf
o If person is btwn 16-18, he or she may seek admission independently or on the
application of an authorized individual or agency
o Have right to request and obtain release. Before being released, reevaluation
may be necessary. Reevaluation can result in a decision on the part of the
provider to initiate an involuntary commitment according to criteria established
by state law
>Involuntary Admission/Commitment
Court ordered admission to a facility without patient’s consent
Criteria
>Ethics
Study of philosophical beliefs about what is right or wrong in a society
>Bioethics
Study of ethical questions that arise in healthcare
5 principles:
o Beneficence: duty to act to benefit or promote the good of others (ex: spending
extra time to help calm an anxious patient).
o Autonomy: respecting the rights of others to make their own decisions (ex:
acknowledging the patient’s right to refuse medications supports autonomy).
o Justice: duty to distribute resources or care equally, regardless of personal
attributes (Ex: an ICU nurse devotes equal attention to someone who has
attempted suicide as to someone who has suffered a brain aneurysm).
o Fidelity (nonmaleficence): Maintaining loyalty and commitment to the patient
and doing no wrong to the patient (Ex: maintaining expertise in nursing skill
through continuing nursing education).
o Veracity: duty to communication truthfully (ex: describing purpose and side
effects of psychotropic medications in a truthful and nonmisleading way).
>Voluntary Admissions
Informal Admission
o Least restrictive of all
o It is similar to any general hospital admission in which there is no formal
application
o Person does not pose a substantial threat or harm to self or others
o Patient is free to stay or leave, even against medical advice
Voluntary Admission
o Patients apply in writing for admission to the facility
o Person must understand need for treatment and willing to be admitted
o If under 16, parent/legal guardian/custodian/next of kin may have authority to
apply on the person’s behalf
o If person is btwn 16-18, he or she may seek admission independently or on the
application of an authorized individual or agency
o Have right to request and obtain release. Before being released, reevaluation
may be necessary. Reevaluation can result in a decision on the part of the
provider to initiate an involuntary commitment according to criteria established
by state law
>Involuntary Admission/Commitment
Court ordered admission to a facility without patient’s consent
Criteria
