Mariano Marcos State University

Republic of the Philippines

Batac, Ilocos Norte
College of Health and Sciences

Philippines Code of Ethics for

Registered Nurses:
A Framework for
Nurses Drug Administration

Aurelio, Lyca Mae M.

BSN II-D
October 2,2020

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 Nursing has a professional autonomy which goes along with responsibility and accountability to

provide their clients with high quality of care (Bah & Sawo, 2018). Nurses need ethical knowledge to

conduct their appropriate function to manage situation and give safe and proper legal and ethical care in

today’s changing world especially in drug administration where they are always challenged to safeguard

patients against error. Since nurses are confronted with various ethical issues in their practice, the code

of ethics for nurses is formulated and adopted worldwide.

Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses in the Philippines is promulgated by the Professional

Regulation Commission in July 23, 2003 and adopted under Republic Act No. 9173 and Board of Nursing

with coordination of other affiliate organization of Registered Nurses after consultation on October 23,

2003. Although nurses have different considerations in making decisions, this code of ethics form a

framework to evaluate activities influencing their goals, strategies and function. It classifies the ethical

responsibilities into five parts; Registered Nurses and People, Registered Nurses and Practice,

Registered Nurses and Co-workers, Registered Nurses Society and Environment, and, Registered

Nurses and Profession. These classifications set out the required elements for ethical conduct and seek

the best way of taking care of patients in more organized context, as well as the best nursing function in

which drug administration is mainly involved.

One of the essences of the code is that each people should be respected and has the right for

freedom no matter what values, customs and spiritual beliefs he/she held. An individual has a right to

refuse medications, treatment, surgery and other medical interventions regardless what benefit may come

from it. However, patient’s welfare and safety must still put into priority if conflicts occur. This is done by

informing them about the risks of not following recommended treatment and benefits of the medication in

their present condition but forcing to do so is already outside the boundary and considered unethical.

Accountability in nursing practice has been also highlighted as an ethical principle in the code. It

is defined with traits of commitment and being responsible for the duties towards patients, such that

accurate documentation in drug administration and its outcome is one of the hallmarks of nursing

accountability. It is also stated in the Registered Nurses and Practice principles that nurses are the

advocates of the patients. Nurses become advocates by giving answer to patient’ queries, educating them

how to manage their conditions, double check errors for prescription, connect them to resources and

respect their bill of rights. Then, medication problems are expected to be minimized.

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 Collaborative care is a healthcare model which aims to improve patient outcome through inter-

professional cooperation (Health Times, 2020). The code indicated that nurses must be in solidarity with

other members of the healthcare team in working for the patient’s best interest. It has impact on the way

information for drug administration is communicated. The healthcare team works together to identify and

prevent medication errors in the system. The nurse verifies medical calculations and effect of the drug to

the prescribing physician, pharmacist and nursing supervisor if she suspects that a prescribed medicine

and dosage is unsafe.

The establishment of linkages within society and environment in promoting local, national, and

international efforts is also an ethical principle included. It is highly needed to resolve the health concerns

of people. Drug administration standards or policies should be outlined within and external to institutions

of work that dictate ethical obligations of the service and need to report any deviations from

appropriateness (Haddad & Geiger, 2020). It is important to understand safety, quality, and environment

considerations that are conductive to the best patient’s pharmacotherapy outcome.

Lastly under the provision of the code; integrity of nursing profession must be preserved in

coordination with accredited professional organizations. When nurses continue to gather for committees

or organized groups where they may share and evaluate values for accuracy and continuation of

profession; their drug administration knowledge and skills will be enhanced. The ability of every nurses

to contribute to the reformulation drug administration policy should be shared among the profession,

joining them throughout the nation for a unified voice.

Above all, the Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses in the Philippines is as adequate and proper

to guide nurses’ ethical actions in drug administration. The ethical principles highlighted in each

classification are the following: respect for each individual, accountability in nursing practice, collaborative

working relationship with co-workers, establishment of linkages within society and environment and

preservation of nursing profession integrity. These all provide organized ethical guidelines or framework

that recognize the primary responsibility of nurses to preserve health at all cost in which safe and precise

drug administration is mainly reflected. However, the code should still be revised and updated in regular

intervals considering the changes in context over time. It is an overall responsibility to keep the code

current, updated with the new progresses of science, emerging challenges and pertinent to the nursing

practice.

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References:

Bah, H., & Sawo, J. (2018). Teaching and practicing nursing code of ethics and values in the Gambia.

International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, ISSN: 2214-1391, Vol: 9, Page: 68-72. doi:

10.1016/j.ijans.2018.08.005

Breeze, M. (2018, December). A Nurse's Role & Responsibilities With Medication. Retrieved from:

https://careertrend.com/info-8541046-nurses-role-responsibilities-medication.html

Haddad, L. & Geiger, R. (2020). Nursing Ethical Considerations. Retrieved from:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526054/

Health Times. (2020, June). Nurses in collaborative care teams. Retrieved from:

https://healthtimes.com.au/hub/nursing-careers/6/guidance/ht1/nurses-in-collaborative-care-

teams/2879/

Nurses Key (n.d.). The role of nurses in drug administration. Retrieved from: https://nursekey.com/the-

role-of-nurses-in-drug-administration/

Philippine Board of Nursing. (2004). Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses. No. 220. S. 2004. Retrieved

from: https://www.prc.gov.ph/uploaded/documents/Board%20of%20Nursing-CE.pdf.

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