Code Of Ethics

Oct 4, 2022
Stage 1: Code of Ethics for registered Nurses
Lesson The purpose of the Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses is to set aside ethical
Overview: values of nurse's commitments to individuals seeking and receiving health
care support. The Code of Ethics for registered nurses is
1. Aspirational – because it is designed to inform everyone about the
ethical values and responsibilities of nurses
2. It is also a regulatory tool that binds nurses to serve and protect the
public
Today, you will learn how this Code provides guidance for ethical behaviors
and decision-making, especially for nurses who are often faced with ethical
challenges when providing care to patients and regarding their fellow
colleagues
GOs: GLO:
Objective:
Examine how personal, cultural and societal beliefs affect ethical decisions
regarding health care
HS20-HC2
- a decision related to ethics in health care from the viewpoint of
individuals who hold different belief systems
Lesson Students will:
Objectives -review published nurses’ professional code of ethics to understand their role
as professional health care workers
The student is expected to
● evaluate individual ethical behavior standards
● analyze legal and ethical behavior standards protecting Patients
constitutional rights
● demonstrate strategies to enhance patient’s trust and
● explain the mission of a health care professional
Stage 2: Assessment Evidence
Formative/Su - Code of Ethics role Play
mm - Case study analysis project – summative assessment
Assessment
Inquiry - What are the differences and similarities between the Nightingale
Questions Pledge and the Hippocratic Oath – period 3? How do they compare?
- Why is Ethics important?
- Why is it important to have a code of ethics?
- How can a code of ethics be important to you in your career?
Stage 3: Learning Experience
2 min. Transition: Group work
Body: Period 3
20 minutes Learning Activity 1: Case Analysis
a. Objective:
Group work
1. Break into groups and compare the differences and similarities of the
Nightingale Pledge and the Hippocratic Oath
2. Analyze the code of ethics below and identify similarities and
differences
3. Complete a “Code of Ethics Questionnaire” for each code reviewed
Nightingale Pledge
I solemnly pledge myself before God, and in the presence of this
assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully.
I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous and will not
take or knowingly administer any harmful drug.
I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my
profession, and, will hold in conference all personal matters committed to my
keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my
profession.
With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work and devote
myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.
Hippocratic Oath
I swear by Apollo the physician, by Esculapius, Hygeia, and Panacea, and
I take to witness all the gods, and all the goddesses, to keep according to my
ability and my judgment the following Oath: To consider dear to me as my
parents him who taught me this art; to live in common with him and if
 necessary to share my goods with him; to look upon his children as my own
brothers, to teach them this art if they so desire without fee or written
promise; to impart to my sons and the sons of the master who taught me and
the disciples who have enrolled themselves and have agreed to the rules of
the profession, but to these along, the precepts and the instruction. I will
prescribe regimen for the good of my patients according to my ability and my
judgment and never do harm to anyone. To please no one will I prescribe a
deadly drug, nor give advice which may cause his death. Nor will I give a
woman a pessary to procure abortion. But I will preserve the purity of my life
and my art. I will not cut for stone, even for patients in who the disease is
manifest; I will leave this operation to be performed by practitioners
(specialists in this art). In every house where I come I will enter only for the
good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and all
seduction, and especially from the pleasures of love with women or with men,
be they free or slaves. All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of
my profession or outside of my profession or in daily commerce with men,
which ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal. If
I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art, respected by
all men and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reserve be
my lot.
10 Minutes Review of the Nightingale Pledge and Hippocratic Oath
What are the similarities between them?
- They are both reinforced by an oath or a pledge...a vow or a promise.
Period 2 Having reviewed the ethical principles yesterday, we are going to discuss in
detail the nursing code of ethics. The purpose of the Code of Ethics for
15 Registered Nurses is to set aside ethical values of nurse's commitments to
Minutes individuals seeking and receiving health care support. The Code of Ethics for
registered nurses is
3. Aspirational – because it is designed to inform everyone about the
ethical values and responsibilities of nurses
4. It is also a regulatory tool that binds nurses to serve and protect the
public
Today, you will learn how this Code provides guidance for ethical behaviors
and decision-making, especially for nurses who are often faced with ethical
 challenges when providing care to patients and regarding their fellow
colleagues

The Code of Ethics is organized into two parts

Part 1: Nursing values and Ethical Responsibilities

A. Providing safe, compassionate, competent and ethical care
B. Promoting health and well-being
C. Promoting and respecting informed decision-making
D. Honoring dignity
E. Maintaining privacy and confidentiality
F. Promoting justice
G. Being accountable

Part II: ethical endeavors related to broad Societal Issues

- Utilize the principles of health care for the benefit of the public
- Address organizational, social, economic and political factors that
influence health
- Advocate for changes to unethical health policies
- Advocate for accessible health care service
Group Use the code of ethics printout provided to respond to the corresponding
Work questions
20
Minutes
In class
review
10 Mins
Intro to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIhcrDtTClE
Anorexia In a Canadian context of increasing obesity and continuing cultural pressure to be
10 mins thin—which affects predominantly women but increasingly men as well—dieting and
disordered eating are common
Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by an abnormally low body weight, intense fear of
gaining weight
Symptoms of Anorexia
- You don't eat enough, so you're underweight.
- Your self-esteem is based on the way your body looks.
- You are obsessed with and terrified of gaining weight.
- It's hard for you to sleep through the night.
 - Dizziness or fainting.
- Your hair is falling out.
- You no longer get your period.
- Constipation.

The question to ask ourselves now is

“Should patients with anorexia be forced-fed to save their lives?

Anorexia Case Study #2 – A starving Patient with Anorexia

Case Step 1: Identify the problem – conflict between benefit to a patient and
analysis rights of a patient
Step 2: Analyze how this problem conflicts with your medical ethical conduct
This case poses the conflict between the right if the patient to decide about
her weight and what she eats on the principle of autonomy. And the duty of
the health care provider to benefit the patient.
There seems to be a good reason to believe that the patient really would
benefit from eating more and gaining weight. However, the patient has not
consented to this treatment hence, her care plan would violate her rights,
“autonomy, formal consent, ...Ethical standards for the nursing profession
indicate that patients have moral rights “to determine what will be done with
their own person...to accept, refuse or terminate treatment without coercion
or penalty”. In other words, a patient’s rights must be respected even though
this case conflicts with the professional duty to provide treatment that benefits
the patient.
Step 3: State any alternatives provided – feed the patient
Step 4: Indicate the applicable key considerations in medical ethics to this case
● Beneficence
● Autonomy

critical considerations
● Identify the age of the patient before deciding whether the autonomous
rule can be applied
Step 5: Resolution and other

Overall Review - October 6

 Now that we have looked at the nursing code of ethics, let us analyze together
Group one more case scenario to evaluate how everything works together when
study - considered appropriately with the patient’s benefit in mind

In class When faced with an ethical dilemma, try these steps before making any final
Discussion decision
Case Study – Ethical Analysis
20 Mins Step 1: Identify the problem – (lawfully – how does this problem relate to tort
law)
Step 2: Analyze how the problem conflicts with your medical ethical conduct
Step 3: State any alternatives provided
Step 4: Indicate the key considerations in medical ethics
Step 5: Resolution and other critical considerations

In class case analysis

A widower (age 88) lives alone but has family living nearby. Recently he had
stroke and regained consciousness after being admitted to hospital. He was
deemed to have cognitive capacity.
His adult children approached the physician in charge of his case along with
the unit’s Nurse Manager and requested that the patient be placed in a
nursing home. The patient was clear and firm in his desire to return to his
own home.
The team has requested a clinical ethics consult
Step 1: What are the main ethics issues at stake here?

Step 2: how will the ethical issues conflict with your medical ethical conduct
Step 3: What alternatives are provided and how are they of benefit to the
patient?
Step 4: What key considerations in medical ethics are found in this case?
Step 5: Resolution - What steps would you take to help the patient, family and
health care team come to a decision?

Critical considerations: How should risk and quality of life be balanced or

reconciled in this situation?

Values and ethics to consider

● Patient –family relationships

 ● Living at risk
● Patient –centered care
● Patient safety
● Respect for patient autonomy

Direct Teaching –
Consolidation: Review of today's objectives and what we have learnt
10 min The teacher will summarize the objective of this lesson and the expectations
which should have been met at the end of the study. Students should be able
to identify the responsibilities of ethical behavior, identify and think critically
about the ethical issues raised by real health situations.

CASE ANALYSIS PROJECT – 30 Mins