ETHICAL AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS ATI NOTES WITH
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
5 professional values of nursing - -altruism
human dignity
integrity
autonomy
social justice
-A nurse is caring for a client who doesn't want her family to know she is in the hospital. The nurse
receives a phone call from the client's neighbor asking if the client had been admitted and how they are
doing. The nurse should recognize that which of the following statements is correct regarding the client
situation? - -The client and health care workers involved in their care are the only people who have
access to the health information.
-A nurse is caring for a client who requests help to get out of bed and ambulate to the bathroom. Before
assisting the client to get out of bed, the nurse makes sure that the client has on nonskid footwear and
that the room is free from clutter that the client could trip over. Which of the following ethical principles
is the nurse practicing when taking these actions? - -Beneficence
-A nurse works in a small community hospital ED and receives a report from EMS that they are en route
with a pediatric client who has severe burns to the upper body and difficulty breathing. The nearest
burn center is 75 min away. Which of the following actions should the nurse and ED team take to adhere
to EMTALA? - -Attempt to stabilize the client in the ED before transport to the burn center.
-Advance directives - -are legal documents in which a client's decisions related to health care are
documented. It is important for nurses to promote the development of advance directives with clients.
-altruism - -is the selfless concern and actions for the benefit of someone else. An example of altruism is
a nurse rushing to help someone in need, sometimes ignoring risk to themselves and putting the needs
of the client first.
-ANA's Principles for Social Networking - -1. Nurses should not transmit or post any identifiable client
information.
2. Nurses should maintain professional boundaries if communicating with a client through social media.
3. Nurses should expect posted information to be potentially viewed by the client, peers, and
supervisors.
4. Nurses should use privacy settings provided by social media platforms and attempt to keep personal
versus professional information separate.
5. Nurses should advocate for client rights and report any instances of client information or
communication on social media that is in violation of legal and ethical standards.
6. Nurses should work with their employer to develop effective policies and procedures to ensure
professional communication with clients and to safeguard client information on social media.
-autonomy - -The ethical principle of ------ refers to the nurse's obligation to respect the client's right to
make their own decisions regarding their health care, including the right to refuse care.
, -Autonomy - -the right to self-determination.
-Beneficence - -The ethical principle of beneficence refers to the nurse's obligation to minimize harm
and practice in a way that benefits the client. Beneficence also means going above what is required.
Nurses often practice beneficence by providing additional care or support for a client because they know
it will benefit the client.
-causes of nurse fatigue - --long and varying shifts
-increased client load
-nursing shortages
-Code of Ethics - -Developed by the ANA, this document outlines rules for nurses about client privacy,
nursing conduct, and nursing behaviors to protect clients and the profession.
-the ideals, duties, and obligations that nurses are expected to uphold as members of the nursing
profession.
-Cynthia's team has completed Step 1 of the ethical decision-making process and has determined that
an ethical dilemma does exist. Moving to Step 2 of the ethical decision-making process, identify the
ethical dilemma.
Identify at least three possible solutions that could be presented during Step 3 of the ethical decision-
making process when addressing this ethical dilemma. - -Cynthia Parker is a 19-year-old client who is
unresponsive and receiving ventilator support. The client's provider recommends discontinuation of
ventilator support. Cynthia's parents do not agree on their feelings, values, or thoughts about what
Cynthia's decision would be regarding whether or not to continue ventilator support.
Possible solutions to this ethical dilemma include: Discontinuing ventilator support at this time
Continuing ventilator support indefinitely Discontinuing ventilator support after a period of time has
elapsed if Cynthia's status is unchanged
-Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) - -Ensures that all individuals, regardless of
their insurance or financial status, have equal access to emergency medical care.
-EMTALA - --All clients must have a medical screening evaluation (MSE).
-If the client is, in fact, experiencing an emergency, the hospital must stabilize the client. If the hospital
cannot provide the specific level of care (treatment and management) of the emergency condition, they
must transfer the stabilized client to a facility that can.
-In the event the client cannot be stabilized in said ED, a physician or another qualified medical
professional must verify and sign off transfer, clearly indicating that the benefits of transfer outweigh
the risks of transferring an unstable client.
-ethical decision making - -Process of evaluating and choosing options in an ethically consistent manner
using ethical principles.
-Ethical Decision Making Process - -Step 1: Is there an ethical dilemma?
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
5 professional values of nursing - -altruism
human dignity
integrity
autonomy
social justice
-A nurse is caring for a client who doesn't want her family to know she is in the hospital. The nurse
receives a phone call from the client's neighbor asking if the client had been admitted and how they are
doing. The nurse should recognize that which of the following statements is correct regarding the client
situation? - -The client and health care workers involved in their care are the only people who have
access to the health information.
-A nurse is caring for a client who requests help to get out of bed and ambulate to the bathroom. Before
assisting the client to get out of bed, the nurse makes sure that the client has on nonskid footwear and
that the room is free from clutter that the client could trip over. Which of the following ethical principles
is the nurse practicing when taking these actions? - -Beneficence
-A nurse works in a small community hospital ED and receives a report from EMS that they are en route
with a pediatric client who has severe burns to the upper body and difficulty breathing. The nearest
burn center is 75 min away. Which of the following actions should the nurse and ED team take to adhere
to EMTALA? - -Attempt to stabilize the client in the ED before transport to the burn center.
-Advance directives - -are legal documents in which a client's decisions related to health care are
documented. It is important for nurses to promote the development of advance directives with clients.
-altruism - -is the selfless concern and actions for the benefit of someone else. An example of altruism is
a nurse rushing to help someone in need, sometimes ignoring risk to themselves and putting the needs
of the client first.
-ANA's Principles for Social Networking - -1. Nurses should not transmit or post any identifiable client
information.
2. Nurses should maintain professional boundaries if communicating with a client through social media.
3. Nurses should expect posted information to be potentially viewed by the client, peers, and
supervisors.
4. Nurses should use privacy settings provided by social media platforms and attempt to keep personal
versus professional information separate.
5. Nurses should advocate for client rights and report any instances of client information or
communication on social media that is in violation of legal and ethical standards.
6. Nurses should work with their employer to develop effective policies and procedures to ensure
professional communication with clients and to safeguard client information on social media.
-autonomy - -The ethical principle of ------ refers to the nurse's obligation to respect the client's right to
make their own decisions regarding their health care, including the right to refuse care.
, -Autonomy - -the right to self-determination.
-Beneficence - -The ethical principle of beneficence refers to the nurse's obligation to minimize harm
and practice in a way that benefits the client. Beneficence also means going above what is required.
Nurses often practice beneficence by providing additional care or support for a client because they know
it will benefit the client.
-causes of nurse fatigue - --long and varying shifts
-increased client load
-nursing shortages
-Code of Ethics - -Developed by the ANA, this document outlines rules for nurses about client privacy,
nursing conduct, and nursing behaviors to protect clients and the profession.
-the ideals, duties, and obligations that nurses are expected to uphold as members of the nursing
profession.
-Cynthia's team has completed Step 1 of the ethical decision-making process and has determined that
an ethical dilemma does exist. Moving to Step 2 of the ethical decision-making process, identify the
ethical dilemma.
Identify at least three possible solutions that could be presented during Step 3 of the ethical decision-
making process when addressing this ethical dilemma. - -Cynthia Parker is a 19-year-old client who is
unresponsive and receiving ventilator support. The client's provider recommends discontinuation of
ventilator support. Cynthia's parents do not agree on their feelings, values, or thoughts about what
Cynthia's decision would be regarding whether or not to continue ventilator support.
Possible solutions to this ethical dilemma include: Discontinuing ventilator support at this time
Continuing ventilator support indefinitely Discontinuing ventilator support after a period of time has
elapsed if Cynthia's status is unchanged
-Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) - -Ensures that all individuals, regardless of
their insurance or financial status, have equal access to emergency medical care.
-EMTALA - --All clients must have a medical screening evaluation (MSE).
-If the client is, in fact, experiencing an emergency, the hospital must stabilize the client. If the hospital
cannot provide the specific level of care (treatment and management) of the emergency condition, they
must transfer the stabilized client to a facility that can.
-In the event the client cannot be stabilized in said ED, a physician or another qualified medical
professional must verify and sign off transfer, clearly indicating that the benefits of transfer outweigh
the risks of transferring an unstable client.
-ethical decision making - -Process of evaluating and choosing options in an ethically consistent manner
using ethical principles.
-Ethical Decision Making Process - -Step 1: Is there an ethical dilemma?
