Lecture: Ethics and Values in Nursing

Introduction

• Nearing the end of the foundations course.
• Today's topic: Ethics and values in nursing.
• Related to legal aspects, will be explored further in class.
• Quote by Florence Nightingale on hospital ethics: "The very first requirement in a hospital is that it should do the sick no harm."

Objectives

• Understand basic terms related to nursing ethics.
• Discuss the role of ethics in professional nursing.
• Examine and clarify personal values.
• Discuss contemporary ethical issues.
• Apply critical thinking to ethical dilemmas.

Key Terms in Ethics

• Ethics vs. Values:
  • Ethics: Professional standards, what is good for the group.
  • Values: Personal beliefs, attitudes, customs.
• Autonomy:
  • Including patients in care decisions, protecting their independence.
  • Patients can refuse treatment based on informed decisions.
• Beneficence: Acting in the best interest of the patient.
• Non-maleficence: Avoidance of harm or hurt to patients.
• Justice: Fair distribution of healthcare resources.
• Fidelity: Keeping promises, following through on actions.

Professional Code of Ethics

• Developed by the American Nurses Association.
• Framework for nursing practice, direction for ethical relationships.
• Non-negotiable standards in nursing.
• Emphasizes advocacy, responsibility, accountability, and confidentiality.

Ethical Theories

• Deontology: Actions defined as right or wrong.
• Utilitarianism: Value based on usefulness, greatest good for the greatest number.
• Ethics of Care: Importance of relationships and commitment to the patient.

Ethical Dilemmas

• Often arise from conflicting values.
• Nurses must distinguish between personal values, facts, and opinions.
• Example: Personal values against abortion vs. workplace duties.

Values Clarification

• Understanding different perspectives on values.
• Examples: Addressing people by first names as friendly vs. disrespectful.

Resources for Ethical Dilemmas

• Ethics Committees:
  • Includes diverse professionals to provide resolutions.
  • Assists in making ethical decisions in hospitals.
• Collaborative Decision-Making:
  • Collective wisdom from various healthcare professionals.

Issues in Healthcare Ethics

• Quality of Life: Considerations in end-of-life care.
• Genetic Screening: Ethical implications of prenatal testing.
• Access to Care: Inequities in healthcare availability.
• Culturally Competent Care: Respecting and understanding diverse cultural practices.

Moral Distress

• Anguish from being unable to act according to one's values.
• Common in situations requiring aggressive treatment perceived as unnecessary.
• Importance of finding support through ethical resources and professional networks.

Aging and Ethical Issues

• Challenges in autonomy and communication for the elderly.
• Impact of polypharmacy on decision-making ability.
• Need for consensus on medical goals for older adults.

Processing Ethical Dilemmas

• Steps to Resolution:
  1. Determine if there is an ethical dilemma.
  2. Gather all relevant information.
  3. Clarify the values involved.
  4. Verbalize the problem.
  5. Identify possible courses of action.
  6. Negotiate a plan.
  7. Evaluate the plan.

Example and Video Case Study

• Hypothetical situation where a classmate tweets about a clinical experience.
• Ethical dilemma exercise: What action should be taken?
• Video example of a physician's treatment of a patient, evaluating ethical response.

Conclusion

• Ethical issues are common in nursing, require careful consideration and action.
• Pre-lecture quizzes will be available for further study and understanding.