Question

1 (a) Define the terms “Ethics” and “Nursing Ethics”.

(b) Describe (5) ethical principles that you are familiar with and state its importance to nursing practice, giving examples in your answer.

Answer 1

Ethics and Nursing ethics

The standards or moral principles that govern the conduct of a person, especially a member of a profession , is called Ethics. It is the study of principles relating to right or wrong conduct.

Nursing ethics is a branch of applied ethics, that deals with the standards of behaviours exhibited by nurses in their professional life. Nursing ethics are the standards that govern the conduct of a nurse. It helps the nurses to set a moral boundary and it act as a catalyst to moral action. Also the Nursing ethics helps the nurse with Ethical decision making process.  

b. Ethical Principles

The major ethical principles , that a nurse must adhere to are Beneficience, Nonmaleficence , Autonomy, Accountability and Veracity.  

Beneficience: It means " Do good" . A nurse should do good to the patients. This principle emphasise the act of Charity or kindness. It shows the mercy of the nurses towards patients. An example of Beneficience is

* Resuscitation of a drowned victim

*' a nurse , who is empathetically remains near to a dying patient's  bed and holds his hand with kindness. It is an act of Beneficience.

Nonmaleficence : This principle means " Do no harm " to the patient. Nurse has to avoid all the situation, that harms a patient. Inflict the least harm , when it is unavoidable, to reach a beneficial outcome.  

Examples are Avoiding errors in medication administration, avoiding negligent patient care etc.

Autonomy: Freedom to act or function independently is called autonomy. Nurses has to respect the autonomy of the patient. This principle emphasise that patients have the right to make independent decisions.  

Example: Nurse obtaining informed consent from the patient for a procedure .

Accountability : The state of being accountable for the action is called Accountability. The nurse have the responsibility for the intervention ,that she has done. Examples of scenario , where to demonstrate accountability are: ensuring quality patient care, Maintaining confidentiality, provision of a good health education to the patient.  

Veracity : The quality of speaking truth is called veracity. The nurse has to be honest and wise in her dealings with the patient. Example of a situation to keep veracity is : " Avoid false reassurance. A nurse should not tell a cancer patient, that " no worries, you can go home after some days of treatment with complete cure.'