Ethics Class 1
Class: Ethics in Nursing
Class Preparation Guide
Required Readings
Ethics VO presentation
Giddens Concept 40
Potter & Perry, Chapter 22
Articles as listed in course template
Review of Delegation Potter & Perry pp 213; 282; 287 #1-2
Clinical decision making is complex and encompasses both direct and indirect
patient care by nurses. Delegation, “…the process for a nurse to direct another
person to perform nursing tasks and activities” (Potter & Perry, 2023, p 287).
Delegation of client care is an example of indirect client care and can include the
registered nurse delegating to other RNs, to LPNs, or to unlicensed assistive
personnel (UAP). Delegation can also include LPNs delegating to UAP. Important
guidelines to remember when delegating a task is to ensure the person being
delegated to has the knowledge and training to perform the task and that the task
is something that can be delegated per the state Nurse Practice Act.
1. The nursing supervisor is making the client assignments for the next shift. On
the nursing unit there are three LPNs, two RNs, and two nursing assistants.
Which clients should the supervisor assign to the LPNs? Select all that
apply.
a. A 68-year-old male patient who is expected to be discharged home with IV
antibiotic therapy
b. A 25-year-old female patient newly admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis
c. A 75-year-old male patient with dementia who has an ileostomy and
scheduled tube feedings
d. A 65-year-old female patient who has an order to remove the Foley
catheter
e. A 34-year-old client, post motor vehicle accident with a pelvic fracture
who has an order to be placed in skeletal traction
2. The registered nurse does NOT delegate which tasks to the LPN? (Select 5)
a. Initiating a blood transfusion
b. Auscultating lung and bowel sounds
c. Administering IV morphine 2 mg for pain
d. Performing an assessment on a new admission
e. Providing wound care to a stage 3 pressure injury
f. Collecting a urine sample from an indwelling urinary catheter
g. Educating a client on how to monitor for side effects associated with
warfarin
h. Developing a plan of care for a patient who is admitted with Guillain-Barré
Syndrome
Refer to Potter & Perry pp 317-325; Giddens pp 390-395 to answer questions 3-5
Using your own words, explain the following terms
essential for the professional nurse to practice in an
ethical manner:
1
, Ethics Class 1
Autonomy Refers to freedom from external control. In health care the concept
applies to respect for the autonomy of patients
Beneficenc Ensuring that the patient’s best interest if considered, regardless of
e the nurse’s opinion
Deontolog Applies judgments based on the underlying morality/ the rightness or
y wrongness of an action. Actions as right or wrong based on their
adherence to rules and principles such as fidelity to promises,
truthfulness, and justice
Ethical A framework that nurse professionals use in making informed
decision decisions while evaluating the impacts of their actions. Use the four
making methods of decision making: Medical indications, patient preferences,
quality of life and contextual features.
Ethical Involves a problem for which to do something right you have to do
dilemma something wrong.
Fidelity The principle that requires us to act in ways that are loyal. In the role
of a nurse, such action includes keeping your promises, doing what is
expected of you, performing your duties, and being trustworthy.
Integrity Treating others, the way you would want to be treated. The quality of
being honest and fair and possessing high moral principles.
Utilitarianism Relies on the application of a certain principle (i.e., measures of
“good” and “greatest”). measures the effect that an act will have.
Veracity Requires that healthcare providers be honest in their interactions with
patients.
Describe these principles of ethical decision making and explain
how they are important to ethical decision making.
a. Justice: The principle of justice is concerned with treating people
equitably, fairly, and appropriately.
a. Each patient is entitled to the same level of care and
consideration.
b. Beneficence: An obligation to do good by acting in ways that
promote the welfare and best interests of others.
c. Nonmaleficence: Avoid harm to others, including even the risk of
harm.
d. Respect for persons: The intentional act of showing consideration
for another person’s interest and well being.
Compare and contrast the ethics of duty with ethics of
consequence.
Ethics of Duty: based on the ethical approach of deontology, in
which moral duties are seen as self-evident, needing no further
justification. Moral action is then based on acting according to a
specific duty simply because it is the right thing to do.
2
Class: Ethics in Nursing
Class Preparation Guide
Required Readings
Ethics VO presentation
Giddens Concept 40
Potter & Perry, Chapter 22
Articles as listed in course template
Review of Delegation Potter & Perry pp 213; 282; 287 #1-2
Clinical decision making is complex and encompasses both direct and indirect
patient care by nurses. Delegation, “…the process for a nurse to direct another
person to perform nursing tasks and activities” (Potter & Perry, 2023, p 287).
Delegation of client care is an example of indirect client care and can include the
registered nurse delegating to other RNs, to LPNs, or to unlicensed assistive
personnel (UAP). Delegation can also include LPNs delegating to UAP. Important
guidelines to remember when delegating a task is to ensure the person being
delegated to has the knowledge and training to perform the task and that the task
is something that can be delegated per the state Nurse Practice Act.
1. The nursing supervisor is making the client assignments for the next shift. On
the nursing unit there are three LPNs, two RNs, and two nursing assistants.
Which clients should the supervisor assign to the LPNs? Select all that
apply.
a. A 68-year-old male patient who is expected to be discharged home with IV
antibiotic therapy
b. A 25-year-old female patient newly admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis
c. A 75-year-old male patient with dementia who has an ileostomy and
scheduled tube feedings
d. A 65-year-old female patient who has an order to remove the Foley
catheter
e. A 34-year-old client, post motor vehicle accident with a pelvic fracture
who has an order to be placed in skeletal traction
2. The registered nurse does NOT delegate which tasks to the LPN? (Select 5)
a. Initiating a blood transfusion
b. Auscultating lung and bowel sounds
c. Administering IV morphine 2 mg for pain
d. Performing an assessment on a new admission
e. Providing wound care to a stage 3 pressure injury
f. Collecting a urine sample from an indwelling urinary catheter
g. Educating a client on how to monitor for side effects associated with
warfarin
h. Developing a plan of care for a patient who is admitted with Guillain-Barré
Syndrome
Refer to Potter & Perry pp 317-325; Giddens pp 390-395 to answer questions 3-5
Using your own words, explain the following terms
essential for the professional nurse to practice in an
ethical manner:
1
, Ethics Class 1
Autonomy Refers to freedom from external control. In health care the concept
applies to respect for the autonomy of patients
Beneficenc Ensuring that the patient’s best interest if considered, regardless of
e the nurse’s opinion
Deontolog Applies judgments based on the underlying morality/ the rightness or
y wrongness of an action. Actions as right or wrong based on their
adherence to rules and principles such as fidelity to promises,
truthfulness, and justice
Ethical A framework that nurse professionals use in making informed
decision decisions while evaluating the impacts of their actions. Use the four
making methods of decision making: Medical indications, patient preferences,
quality of life and contextual features.
Ethical Involves a problem for which to do something right you have to do
dilemma something wrong.
Fidelity The principle that requires us to act in ways that are loyal. In the role
of a nurse, such action includes keeping your promises, doing what is
expected of you, performing your duties, and being trustworthy.
Integrity Treating others, the way you would want to be treated. The quality of
being honest and fair and possessing high moral principles.
Utilitarianism Relies on the application of a certain principle (i.e., measures of
“good” and “greatest”). measures the effect that an act will have.
Veracity Requires that healthcare providers be honest in their interactions with
patients.
Describe these principles of ethical decision making and explain
how they are important to ethical decision making.
a. Justice: The principle of justice is concerned with treating people
equitably, fairly, and appropriately.
a. Each patient is entitled to the same level of care and
consideration.
b. Beneficence: An obligation to do good by acting in ways that
promote the welfare and best interests of others.
c. Nonmaleficence: Avoid harm to others, including even the risk of
harm.
d. Respect for persons: The intentional act of showing consideration
for another person’s interest and well being.
Compare and contrast the ethics of duty with ethics of
consequence.
Ethics of Duty: based on the ethical approach of deontology, in
which moral duties are seen as self-evident, needing no further
justification. Moral action is then based on acting according to a
specific duty simply because it is the right thing to do.
2
