Ethical Nursing Practice

Sample Solution

Ethical nursing practice is the provision of nursing care that is consistent with the ethical principles of the profession. These principles include respect for patient autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and veracity. Basis or framework for the definition The basis for my definition of ethical nursing practice is the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses. The ANA Code of Ethics is a set of ethical principles that guide nurses in their practice. The Code of Ethics includes the following principles:

• Respect for patient autonomy: Nurses must respect the right of patients to make their own decisions about their care.
• Beneficence: Nurses must act in the best interests of their patients.
• Nonmaleficence: Nurses must do no harm to their patients.
• Justice: Nurses must provide care that is fair and equitable.
• Veracity: Nurses must be honest and truthful in their interactions with patients.

Difference between legal and ethical nursing practice Legal nursing practice is the provision of nursing care that complies with the law. Ethical nursing practice is the provision of nursing care that is consistent with the ethical principles of the profession. The difference between legal and ethical nursing practice is that legal nursing practice is concerned with following the law, while ethical nursing practice is concerned with doing what is right. In some cases, legal and ethical nursing practice may overlap. For example, it is both legal and ethical for nurses to keep patient information confidential. However, there are also cases where legal and ethical nursing practice may conflict. For example, a nurse may be legally required to report child abuse, but the nurse may also feel that doing so would violate the child's confidentiality. Ethical or bioethical dilemma One ethical or bioethical dilemma that a nurse may encounter is the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. This is a difficult decision that nurses may have to make when a patient is terminally ill and there is no hope of recovery. The nurse must weigh the patient's right to autonomy against the nurse's duty to provide care that is beneficial and does not cause harm. There are a number of factors that the nurse should consider when making this decision, such as the patient's wishes, the patient's prognosis, the patient's quality of life, and the patient's family's wishes. The nurse should also consult with other healthcare professionals, such as the patient's physician, to get their input. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment is a complex one that should be made on a case-by-case basis. However, the nurse should always act in the best interests of the patient and make the decision that the patient would have wanted if they were able to make the decision for themselves. How the dilemma could be handled The nurse could handle this dilemma by first discussing the patient's wishes with the patient and their family. The nurse should also consult with the patient's physician and other healthcare professionals to get their input. Once the nurse has gathered all of the relevant information, they can then make a decision about whether or not to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment. The nurse should document their decision and the reasons for their decision in the patient's medical record. The nurse should also inform the patient and their family of their decision and the reasons for their decision. The nurse should be aware of the legal and ethical implications of their decision. The nurse should also be prepared to answer any questions that the patient or their family may have about their decision.