Ethics & Issues in Contemporary
Nursing Midterm Questions and
Answers
Virtue Ethics
✓ ~~~ Theories of ethics, usually attributed to Aristotle, that represent the idea that an
individual's actions are based upon innate moral virtue
Character Ethics
✓ ~~~ Theories of ethics, sometimes called virtue ethics, that are related to the concept of
innate moral virtue
Focal Virtues (I don't think I need this in here)
✓ ~~~ This is the big, green header, which is right after Virtue Ethics and Character Ethics,
on Pg. 49 and it contains the next 4 words being Compassion, Discernment,
Trustworthiness, and Integrity
Compassion
✓ ~~~ A focal virtue combining an attitude of active regard for another's welfare with an
imaginative awareness and emotional response of deep sympathy, tenderness, and
discomfort at the other person's misfortune or suffering
Discernment
✓ ~~~ A focal virtue of sensitive insight, acute judgment and understanding that results in
decisive action
Trustworthiness
✓ ~~~ A focal virtue that results in recognition by others of one's consistency and
predictability in following moral norms
Integrity
, ✓ ~~~ Refers to adherence to moral norms that is sustained over time. Implicit in this is
trustworthiness and a consistency of convictions, actions, and emotions
Privacy (I don't think I need this in here)
✓ ~~~ (This is right before Confidentiality, but I am not sure if it is necessary for it to be in
there, yet it goes right along with what Confidentiality truly is)
- Refers to the right of an individual to control the personal information or secrets that
are disclosed to others
Confidentiality
✓ ~~~ The ethical principle that requires nondisclosure of private or secret information with
which one is entrusted. In research, it refers to the researcher's assurance to participants
that information provided will not be made public or available to anyone other than those
involved in the research process without the participant's consent
Limits of Confidentiality
✓ ~~~ - There are arguments that favor questioning the absolute obligation of
confidentiality in certain situations
--> these arguments include theories related to the principles of harm and
vulnerability
~~> The harm principle can be applied when the nurse or other professional
recognizes that maintaining confidentiality will result in preventable wrongful hard to
innocent others
==> Ex: Mandatory premarital testing for syphilis, for example, is intended to prevent
the spread of a serious communicable disease to innocent babies and spouses
++> In this instance, society chooses to override the privacy of the individual to
protect the health of the innocent
, ~~> The harm principle is strengthened when one considers the vulnerability of the
innocent. The duty to protect others from harm is stronger t=when the third party is
dependent on others or is in some way especially vulnerable. This duty is called the
Vulnerability Principle
Vulnerability implies risk or susceptibility to harm when vulnerable individuals have a
relative inability to protect themselves
--> Ex: For example, nurses have an absolute duty to report child abuse. Because
children are dependent and vulnerable, they are at greater risk of harm.
- Coupling of the harm principle with the Vulnerability Principle produces a rather
strong argument for abandoning the principle of Confidentiality in certain instances
- Actions that are considered ethical are not always found to be legal. Though there
is an ethical basis for subsuming the principle of Confidentiality in special
circumstances, and there is some legal precedent for doing so, there is legal risk to
disclosing sensitive information. There is dynamic tension between the patient's right
to Confidentiality and the duty to warn innocent others. Nurses need to recognize
that careful consideration of the eth
Justice (Medical Justice)
✓ ~~~ An ethical principle that relates to fair, equitable, and appropriate treatment in light of
what is due or owed to persons, recognizing that giving to some will deny receipt to others
who might otherwise have received these things. In research, it implies the rights of fair
treatment and privacy, including anonymity and confidentiality
Distributive Justice
Nursing Midterm Questions and
Answers
Virtue Ethics
✓ ~~~ Theories of ethics, usually attributed to Aristotle, that represent the idea that an
individual's actions are based upon innate moral virtue
Character Ethics
✓ ~~~ Theories of ethics, sometimes called virtue ethics, that are related to the concept of
innate moral virtue
Focal Virtues (I don't think I need this in here)
✓ ~~~ This is the big, green header, which is right after Virtue Ethics and Character Ethics,
on Pg. 49 and it contains the next 4 words being Compassion, Discernment,
Trustworthiness, and Integrity
Compassion
✓ ~~~ A focal virtue combining an attitude of active regard for another's welfare with an
imaginative awareness and emotional response of deep sympathy, tenderness, and
discomfort at the other person's misfortune or suffering
Discernment
✓ ~~~ A focal virtue of sensitive insight, acute judgment and understanding that results in
decisive action
Trustworthiness
✓ ~~~ A focal virtue that results in recognition by others of one's consistency and
predictability in following moral norms
Integrity
, ✓ ~~~ Refers to adherence to moral norms that is sustained over time. Implicit in this is
trustworthiness and a consistency of convictions, actions, and emotions
Privacy (I don't think I need this in here)
✓ ~~~ (This is right before Confidentiality, but I am not sure if it is necessary for it to be in
there, yet it goes right along with what Confidentiality truly is)
- Refers to the right of an individual to control the personal information or secrets that
are disclosed to others
Confidentiality
✓ ~~~ The ethical principle that requires nondisclosure of private or secret information with
which one is entrusted. In research, it refers to the researcher's assurance to participants
that information provided will not be made public or available to anyone other than those
involved in the research process without the participant's consent
Limits of Confidentiality
✓ ~~~ - There are arguments that favor questioning the absolute obligation of
confidentiality in certain situations
--> these arguments include theories related to the principles of harm and
vulnerability
~~> The harm principle can be applied when the nurse or other professional
recognizes that maintaining confidentiality will result in preventable wrongful hard to
innocent others
==> Ex: Mandatory premarital testing for syphilis, for example, is intended to prevent
the spread of a serious communicable disease to innocent babies and spouses
++> In this instance, society chooses to override the privacy of the individual to
protect the health of the innocent
, ~~> The harm principle is strengthened when one considers the vulnerability of the
innocent. The duty to protect others from harm is stronger t=when the third party is
dependent on others or is in some way especially vulnerable. This duty is called the
Vulnerability Principle
Vulnerability implies risk or susceptibility to harm when vulnerable individuals have a
relative inability to protect themselves
--> Ex: For example, nurses have an absolute duty to report child abuse. Because
children are dependent and vulnerable, they are at greater risk of harm.
- Coupling of the harm principle with the Vulnerability Principle produces a rather
strong argument for abandoning the principle of Confidentiality in certain instances
- Actions that are considered ethical are not always found to be legal. Though there
is an ethical basis for subsuming the principle of Confidentiality in special
circumstances, and there is some legal precedent for doing so, there is legal risk to
disclosing sensitive information. There is dynamic tension between the patient's right
to Confidentiality and the duty to warn innocent others. Nurses need to recognize
that careful consideration of the eth
Justice (Medical Justice)
✓ ~~~ An ethical principle that relates to fair, equitable, and appropriate treatment in light of
what is due or owed to persons, recognizing that giving to some will deny receipt to others
who might otherwise have received these things. In research, it implies the rights of fair
treatment and privacy, including anonymity and confidentiality
Distributive Justice
