Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The role of the professional nurse has expanded rapidly in terms of:
Increased expertise
Specialization
Certifications
Autonomy
Accountability
Independent Practice
This has forced nurse managers to increase awareness of the interaction of legal and ethical
principles. This protects the nurse as she performs her task and her patient who expects that
she gets the care she deserves.
LAWS > are formal rules of conduct that the members comply with and recognize as
enforceable by a controlling body
ETHICS > are a set of principles or values that govern the individuals’ actions in a
society
Philippine Nurses Association (PNA)
has set the guidelines on the ethical practice of nurses when it promulgated the Code
of Ethics for Registered Nurses in its Board Resolution #220, Series of 2004
It described the ethical principles that govern the relationship of the registered nurse
and people, their practice, co-workers, society, environment, and her profession.
Ethical Concerns Confronting Nurses
1. The confidentiality of records
2. The patient’s right to privacy
3. The patient’s right to information regarding medical procedures and their implications
4. The patient’s competent consent to treatment
5. The patient’s right to refuse treatment
6. The quality of service provided to severely disabled elderly or terminally ill patients
7. Termination of treatment
Ethical Principles
1. Autonomy – addresses personal freedom & the right to choose a course of action free
of correction. (Example: Informed Consent)
2. Beneficence- This states that the action one takes should promote a good outcome
3. Non-maleficence- It involves an ethical and legal duty to avoid harming others. It is
based on the Latin maxim, “Primum Non-Nocere” or “First Do No Harm”. This principle
involves areas of healthcare practice including treatment procedures and the rights of
patients.
4. Veracity- Truth should be told
5. Justice- Equal and fair treatment to everyone
6. Paternalism- Allows one to make decisions for another
7. Fidelity- Keeping one’s promises and commitments
8. Respect for others- This principle acknowledges the right of individuals to make
decisions and live them.
Legally, nurses are required to perform their duties according to accepted standards and
within the scope of practice as contained in the Philippine Nursing Law
ELEMENTS OF NEGLIGENCE:
1. duty 5. incompetence
2. breach 6. malpractice
3. causation
4. damages