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.