RELEVANT ETHICO-LEGAL GUIDELINES IN CONDUCTING

HEALTH ASSESSMENT

V. HEALTH ASSESSMENT
Ethics – declarations of what is right and wrong.
• The purpose of ethics is to govern conduct to protect
an individual’s rights.

CODE OF ETHICS – a written list of professional values

and standards of conduct
PHILIPPINE NURSING CODE OF ETHICS

• Promulgated by the Philippine Regulatory Board of Nursing

• Philippine Nurses Association and Association of Nursing
Service Administrators of the Philippines
• mandated by the article III, Section 9, of republic 9173
• Serves as ethico -legal basis in the practice of the nursing
profession in the Philippines.
AMENDED CODE OF ETHICS FOR NURSES

ARTICLE I Preamble

Sec.1 Health is a fundamental right of every individual. The Filipino

registered nurse believing in the worth and dignity of each human being,
recognizes the primary responsibility to preserve health at all cost. This
responsibility encompasses the promotion of health, prevention of illness,
alleviation of suffering, and restoration of health. However, when the
foregoing are not possible, assistance towards a peaceful death shall be
his/her obligation.
Sec.2 To assume this responsibility, registered nurses
have to gain knowledge and understanding of man’s
cultural, social, spiritual, psychological, and ecological
aspects of illness, utilizing the therapeutic process.
Cultural diversity and political and socio-economic status
are inherent factors to effective nursing care.
ARTICLE 1 PREAMBLE

Sec.3 The desire for the respect and confidence of

clientele, colleagues, co-workers, and the members of
the community provides the incentive to attain and
maintain the highest possible degree of ethical conduct.
NURSING STUDENT ROLES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
THE FOLLOWING BEHAVIORS ARE EXPECTED OF NURSING
STUDENTS:

• Respects the safety and well-being of patients

• Recognizes limits of knowledge, skills, and judgement
• Understands and clarifies own role in the provision of care
• Is accountable for the quality of care provided within the established
objectives
• Uses clear, accurate and effective communication
• Identifies need for and obtains appropriate supervision
• Notifies educator if not achieving objectives
• Follows policies, procedures and principles
STUDENTS ARE PERMITTED TO:

• Perform controlled acts authorized to nursing if they meet all

three criteria:

• Have been taught by their faculty, preceptor or Nurse Educator

• Have the knowledge, skill and judgment to perform them as
determined by their preceptor or faculty member
• Are supervised by a member of the nursing staff at Hospitals or the
faculty member.
 STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO:

• Perform delegated medical acts

• Act as a witness under any circumstances or for any purpose
• Provide second signature/check for controlled drugs, blood products, breast
milk, and medications listed as requiring independent double checking, double
signing and documentation
• Provide telephone advice for discharged families
• Take verbal or telephone orders
• Be left in sole charge of any patient
• Transport patients alone when the presence of an RN is required
• Perform controlled acts without close supervision by an RN
GUIDELINES TO AVOID MISTAKES OF
NURSING STUDENTS
1. Nursing students should always be under the
supervision of their clinical instructors
2. They should be given assignments that are at their
level of training , experience, and competency
3. They should be advised to seek guidance especially
if they are performing procedure for the first time
4. They should be oriented to the policies of the
nursing unit where they are assigned
5. Their performance should be assessed frequently
to determine their strengths and weaknesses
6. Frequent conferences with the students will
reveal their problems which they may want to
bring to the attention of their instructors or vice-
versa. Discussion of these problems will iron out
doubts and possible solutions may be provided.
LIABILITY FOR THE WORK OF NURSING
STUDENTS
 Under the Philippine Nursing Act of
2002 R.A. 9173, nursing students
do not perform professional
nursing duties. They are to be
supervised by their clinical
instructors.