1. Ethics and Values.pdf

Ethics Value Nursing

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Ethics and Values
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,
Prof. Dr. Ram Sharan Mehta
Medical-Surgical Nursing Department

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Objectives
•Terms: Ethics, Values, Morals
•Ethical principles
•Code of Ethics and primary values
•6 standards of nursing practice
•Framework for processing an ethical dilemma
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,

3. Ethics
•Ethicsisthebranchofphilosophythatconcernsthe
distinctionbetweenrightandwrongbasedonthe
bodyofknowledge,notjustbasedonprinciples.
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta, 3

4. Ethics…
•Ethicsisasystemofmoralprinciplesandrulesof
conductrecognizedinrespecttoaparticularclassof
humanactionsortoaparticulargroupofpeople.
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta, 4

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•Morals and ethics are often used interchangeably but
morals are often stated as private, personal standards
of what is right and wrong, ethics reflect a
commitment to standards beyond personal
preferences.
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,

6. Prof. Dr. RS Mehta, 6

7. Ethical Decision Making
•Ethicsisacoreofprofessionalnursingpractice.Nurses
arefacedwithethicalissuesanddilemmasona
regularbasis.
•Nursemustunderstandhervaluesandmoralstobe
dealadequatelywiththeethicalissuesthatcome
across.
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta, 7

8. Contd…
•Ethical decisions involves the following steps:
1.Assess the situation
2. Diagnose (identify) the ethical problem
3. Plan
4. Implement decision
5. Evaluate the decision
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta, 8

9. Basic ethical principles
•Autonomy-Respecttheuniquenessanddignityofeachperson,self,and
others.
•Non-maleficence-Preventharmandremovalofharmfulconditions.
•Beneficence-Acttoremoveharmorpromotebenefit.
•Justice-Treatindividualsequally.
•Veracity:Anobligationtotellthetruth
•Fidelity:Anobligationtokeeppromisesandfulfillcommitments
9Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,

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Ethical Principles
•Autonomy-refers to a person’s independence, self-
determination, self-reliance. A patient has the right to
make decisions about her/her care. Ex. Signing a
consent form for surgery
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,

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Ethical Principles
•Non-maleficience-refers to the avoidance of causing any
harm to clients. Try to balance the risks and benefits of a
plan of care, while striving to do no harm. Ex: bone marrow
transplant promises to bring a cure but there may be a long
period of pain and suffering.
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,

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Ethical Principles
•Beneficence-means promoting good or doing good for
others. Take positive steps to help others. It helps to guide
difficult decisions where the benefits of a treatment maybe
challenged by the risk to the client’s well-being or dignity.
The best interests of the client must be upheld. Ex:
immunization
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,

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Ethical Principles
•Justice-refers to fairness or equity. Clients need to be
treated in a manner that they deserve. Ex. Both clients
receive the same treatment when being admitted for
surgery, fair resources etc.
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,

14. Prof. Dr. RS Mehta, 14

15. Prof. Dr. RS Mehta, 15

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What does a code of ethics do?
•Gives guidance for decision making about ethical
matters by providing a set of values that are
basic to nursing practice.
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,

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The Code of Ethics
•Provide rules of ethical or moral behavior for every
circumstance.
•Offer guidance about which values should take priority or
how they can be balanced in practice.
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,

18. Values
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta, 18

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Values
•Values and ethics are inherent in all nursing acts.
•A value is a strong personal belief; an ideal that a
person strives to uphold.
•Your values reflect cultural and social influences,
relationships and personal needs.
•Values Vary among people and develop and change
over time.
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,

20. Values
•Values are different from principles, in that they
influence the development of beliefs and attitudes,
rather than behaviors.
•They may, however, indirectly influence behaviors.
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta, 20

21. Value System
•An individual’s collection of inner beliefs that
guides the way the person acts and helps
determine the choices made in life.
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta, 21

22. Value Clarification
•The process of analyzing one’s own values to
better understand those things that are truly
important in life.
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta, 22

23. Self-Reflection
•Because ethics and values are so closely
associated, nurses must explore their own
values in order to acknowledge the value
systems of their clients.
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta, 23

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Values and The Code of Ethics
Primary values that are central to ethical nursing practice.
The 7 values include:
1.Providing safecare
2.Compassionate competent care
3.Ethical care
4.Promoting health and well-being
5.Promoting and respecting informed decision-making
6.Maintaining privacy and confidentiality
7.Promoting justice and being accountable
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,

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Six Standards of Nursing Practice
•Accountability
•Continuing Competence
•Application of Knowledge, Skills and Judgment
•Professional Relationships and Advocacy
•Professional Leadership
•Self-Regulation
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,

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How to Process an Ethical Dilemma
1.Is this an ethical dilemma?
2.Gather all the information relevant to the
case
3.Examine and determine your own values on
the case
4.Verbalize the problem
5.Consider possible courses of action
6.Negotiate the outcome
7.Evaluate the action
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,

27. 27Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,