Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing Midterm Test Questions and Answers Fully Solved
Virtue Ethics - Answers Theories of ethics, usually attributed to Aristotle, that represent the idea that an
individual's actions are based upon innate moral virtue
Character Ethics - Answers 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) - Answers 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 - Answers 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 - Answers A focal virtue of sensitive insight, acute judgment and understanding that results
in decisive action
Trustworthiness - Answers A focal virtue that results in recognition by others of one's consistency and
predictability in following moral norms
Integrity - Answers 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) - Answers (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 - Answers 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 - Answers - 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) - Answers 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 - Answers - Application of an ethical principle that relates to fair, equitable, and
appropriate distribution in society, determined by justified norms that structure the terms of social
cooperation. Its scope includes policies that allot diverse benefits and burdens such as property,
resources, taxation, privileges, and opportunities
- Unfortunately, there is a finite supply of goods and services, and it is impossible for all people to have
everything they might want or need
--> One of the primary purposes of governing systems is to formulate and enforce policies that deal
with fair and equitable distribution of scarce resources
--> Decisions about this are made on a variety of levels.
~~> The government is responsible for deciding policy about broad public health access issues, such as
children's immunization and Medicare for the elderly
, ~~>Hospitals and other organizations formulate policy on an institutional level and deal with issues such
as how decisions will be made concerning who will occupy intensive care beds and which types of
patients will be accepted in emergency rooms
~~> Nurses and other health care providers frequently make decisions of this _______________ on an
individual basis
==> Ex: For example, having assessed the needs of patients, nurses decide how best to allocate their
time (a scarce resource)
Distributive Justice (Figure 3-3) - Answers To each equally
To each according to need
To each according to merit
To each according to social contribution
To each according to the person's rights
To each according to individual effort
To each as you would be done by
To each according to the greatest good to the greatest number
Fidelity - Answers An ethical principle related to the concept of faithfulness and the practice of promise
keeping
Axiology (I don't think I need this in here) - Answers (This is above Values in the Textbook, in the
Introduction, on Pg. 93)
- The branch of philosophy that studies the nature and types of values
Values - Answers Ideals, beliefs, customs, modes of conduct, qualities, or goals that are highly prized or
preferred by individuals, groups, or society.
Moral Values - Answers Preferences or dispositions reflective of right or wrong, should or should not, in
human behavior
Moral Thought - Answers Individuals' cognitive examination of right and wrong, good and bad
Acquiring Values - Answers
Virtue Ethics - Answers Theories of ethics, usually attributed to Aristotle, that represent the idea that an
individual's actions are based upon innate moral virtue
Character Ethics - Answers 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) - Answers 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 - Answers 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 - Answers A focal virtue of sensitive insight, acute judgment and understanding that results
in decisive action
Trustworthiness - Answers A focal virtue that results in recognition by others of one's consistency and
predictability in following moral norms
Integrity - Answers 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) - Answers (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 - Answers 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 - Answers - 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) - Answers 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 - Answers - Application of an ethical principle that relates to fair, equitable, and
appropriate distribution in society, determined by justified norms that structure the terms of social
cooperation. Its scope includes policies that allot diverse benefits and burdens such as property,
resources, taxation, privileges, and opportunities
- Unfortunately, there is a finite supply of goods and services, and it is impossible for all people to have
everything they might want or need
--> One of the primary purposes of governing systems is to formulate and enforce policies that deal
with fair and equitable distribution of scarce resources
--> Decisions about this are made on a variety of levels.
~~> The government is responsible for deciding policy about broad public health access issues, such as
children's immunization and Medicare for the elderly
, ~~>Hospitals and other organizations formulate policy on an institutional level and deal with issues such
as how decisions will be made concerning who will occupy intensive care beds and which types of
patients will be accepted in emergency rooms
~~> Nurses and other health care providers frequently make decisions of this _______________ on an
individual basis
==> Ex: For example, having assessed the needs of patients, nurses decide how best to allocate their
time (a scarce resource)
Distributive Justice (Figure 3-3) - Answers To each equally
To each according to need
To each according to merit
To each according to social contribution
To each according to the person's rights
To each according to individual effort
To each as you would be done by
To each according to the greatest good to the greatest number
Fidelity - Answers An ethical principle related to the concept of faithfulness and the practice of promise
keeping
Axiology (I don't think I need this in here) - Answers (This is above Values in the Textbook, in the
Introduction, on Pg. 93)
- The branch of philosophy that studies the nature and types of values
Values - Answers Ideals, beliefs, customs, modes of conduct, qualities, or goals that are highly prized or
preferred by individuals, groups, or society.
Moral Values - Answers Preferences or dispositions reflective of right or wrong, should or should not, in
human behavior
Moral Thought - Answers Individuals' cognitive examination of right and wrong, good and bad
Acquiring Values - Answers
