Objective

 Identified Principles of Ethics.

 Interpreted different Principles of Ethics.
 Outline

 Introduction.

 Definition of ethical principles.

 Ethical principles items.

Pre-test

 List the items of ethical princeples?

 Introduction

A study of principles guiding the good of the

individual within the context of social interactions

and the community

 Ethical Principles

Definition of ethical principles:

 The ethical principle provide a foundation for nursing practice.

Ethical principles are defined as basis consequences and of
universal moral principles when making clinical judgment.

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What Are Ethical Principles?

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Ethical Principles
Autonomy

Beneficence

Nonmaleficence

Justice

CONFIDENTIALITY

ACCOUNTABILITY

Veracity

Fidelity 8
 1. AUTONOMY
 Autonomy can be defined as „ self-rule with no
control, undue influence or interference from
other”.

 Refers to make one’s own decision.

 1. AUTONOMY cont.,
Nurse role for autonomy

 Nurses recognize the individual’s uniqueness.

 Respect a person’s right to make their own decisions

according to their own reasons and purposes.

 Teach people to be able to make their own choices.

 Support people in their individual choices.

 Do not force people to do things.

 1. AUTONOMY cont.,
Informed Consent:

� Is the permission obtained from a patient to undergo the treatment

after the patient has been fully informed about the test or procedure

In clinical situation, a physician / nurse describes the procedures and

/or surgery to the patient in terms understood by the patient.

 Informed Consent Informed consent is limited when there is a high

probability that a person may harm himself or herself or others.

 � Example: the patient has the right to refuse treatment EXCEPT

transmittable diseases.


 1. AUTONOMY cont.,
Informed Consent:

The description requires full disclosure including:

 1 - Procedures to be carried out.

 2 - Potential expected benefits from the treatment.

 3 - Possible risks and discomforts concerning the treatment.

 4 - Should not imply any assurance of results.

 1. AUTONOMY cont.,
Informed Consent:

Informed Consent Vulnerable people who cannot give consent :

 Children

 Elderly

 Patients who are unconscious.

 Patients have serious or enduring mental health problems.

 Individuals with learning disabilities may lack competence, either

temporarily or permanently.
 1. AUTONOMY cont.,
 Example of Autonomy :

Illustrative case: Some religions believe it is wrong to accept blood

transfusions

What happens if a blood transfusion is necessary to save a person's life?

In life-threatening situations where a blood transfusion is required to save

the patient's life, the patient should be informed and the consequences of
refusal explained.

When the patient is properly and compassionately informed, the patient

has the freedom to choose.
 2. BENEFICENCE
This can be defined as “the principle of doing well and
providing care to others”

 Refers to taking positive actions to help others.

 As employees are we properly trained and competent to

carry out the tasks we are providing to our
children/families/clients/customers.
 2. BENEFICENCE
Eg :

 child’s immunization may discomfort during

administration, but the benefit of protection from disease
for the individual and society, outweigh the temporary
discomfort.
 Clinical educations: Resuscitating a drowning victim,
providing vaccinations for the general population,
encouraging a patient to quit smoking and start an exercise
program, talking to the community about disease
prevention
Autonomy vs. Beneficence
Illustrative case: One clear example exists in
health care where principle of beneficence is
given priority over the principle of respect of
autonomy
Example is in the Emergency Room: Patient is
incapacitated by the grave nature of accident or
illness
We presume that the reasonable person would
want to be treated aggressively and we rush to
provide beneficent intervention
 Autonomy vs. Beneficence
Often the most common and difficult ethical
issues to navigate arise when the patient’s
autonomous decision conflicts with the
physician’s beneficent duty.
Example:
Should a patient who has had heart bypass surgery
continue to smoke?
What would you do if a patient with pneumonia
refuses antibiotics?
 3. NON-MALEFICENCE

 Refers to avoidance of harm or hurt.

 “Obligation not to inflict harm on others”

 Nurses tries to balance the risks and benefits of a plan of

care. .

 However, do we sometimes cause short term harm for long

term good .

Make sure that the procedure does not harm the patient
or others in society.
 3. NON-MALEFICENCE cont.,
When interventions undertaken by physicians create a positive

outcome while also potentially doing harm it is known as the "double

effect." Eg,.Best way to treat a pregnant woman with newly diagnosed

uterine cancer

 A single action may have two effects, one considered good and the

other bad (double effect principle)

 What do you think of this case?

 What is right and what is wrong?

 3. NON-MALEFICENCE cont.,

 The usual treatment for uterine cancer is hysterectomy, but

this procedure may result in the death of the fetus.

 What is morally permissible work, or what is our duty?

 It can be said in this case that the woman has the right to
self-defense and that the hysterectomy procedure aims to
preserve her life. The unintended (albeit undesirable)
consequence is the death of the fetus.
 4. JUSTICE

 Simply defined as “equal treatment of equal cases” or the

principle of fairness.

 Treat all clients equally and fairly.

 However, some people need to be treated differently if

they require special care over and above what other people
may need.
 5. CONFIDENTIALITY

 It refers to the rights of clients for protection of privacy

without diminishing access to quality care.

 It is important for trusting relationship.

 Nurses will not share information about the client unless it

is agreement from the client or required by the law.
 6. ACCOUNTABILITY:

 It is an ability to answer for one’s own action.

 Nursing professional must agree to evaluate practices and

actions and to take action to preserve nursing excellence.
 7. VERACITY
 It is concerned with being open, honest and truthful with people.

 It is also the accurate transfer of information in a way that is suitable for the
individual to understand

 “This is not always an easy principle to maintain when you are asked
difficult questions, or your answer may be distressing”.

 When the patient has a terminal diagnosis such as cancer etc…. . , health
care providers, may have difficulty sharing such information with patient
that will result in unhappiness, anxiety, depression or fear.
 8. FIDELITY
Fidelity is about
Being Faithful
keeping promises
always doing what is right
Being trust worthy
Confidential
Showing respect and dignity
Respecting autonomy
Acting in their best interest.
 8. FIDELITY cont.,

Commitments / promises may be implicit or explicit.

 Implicit: promises that are implied, not verbally communicated.

Ex: when patients comes into the hospital, they expect to be
cared for.

 Explicit: promises that are verbally communicated. Ex: if a

nurse tell the patient that she ’ll be back with pain medication,
she’d better come back.
 Conclusion
•Ethical principles provide generalized frameworks that
may be employed in the resolution of ethical dilemmas
in our daily lives.

• These principles may be applied to our interpersonal

relationships as well as to our professional lives.
Pre-test

 List the items of ethical princeples?

Thank you