Ethics of Patient Care
Fundamentals: Patient Care-> Unit 2
Introduction to Ethics of Patient Care
“Ethics is knowing the difference
between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.”
– Potter Stewart, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice
As a student, you are learning what is right to do for those in your care: when they hurt, ease
their pain; when they are frightened, listen to them; and when they are unable to care for
themselves, keep them safe. Yet what happens when the nurse’s idea of what is right to do
differs from that of the client? Who is right? And how does the nurse determine what action to
take?
This lesson focuses on these topics, and more.
By completing these Ethics of Patient Care learning activities, the learner will gain the
knowledge and skills needed to:
• Model Chamberlain Care® when communicating with clients, families and other
healthcare providers.
• Discuss the unique aspects of the professional nursing culture.
• Utilize the Patient’s Bill of Rights when making clinical judgements.
• Apply ethical principles when providing client care.
,Ethics in Action
What steps can the nurse take to assure a new client understands their rights and
responsibilities related to receiving healthcare? Select all that apply.
Secure the Patient’s Bill of Rights to wall next to the bed.
Provide a copy of the Patient’s Bill of Rights written in the client’s primary language.
Ask the client if they have questions about their healthcare related rights.
Include the Patient’s Bill of Rights with all admission paperwork.
Require the client to acknowledge receipt of the Patient’s Bill of Rights in writing.
Your response is correct!
Providing a printed copy in a person’s preferred language increases the likelihood that
comprehension and understanding will occur. Following up to answer questions or clarify
details is another tactic that can increase understanding.
While providing a standard copy of the Patient’s Bill of Rights is a good first step, securing a
copy to the wall, assuring a copy is available in the admission paperwork folder, and asking an
individual to sign a statement that a copy of their rights has been received does not help the
nurse confirm the individual understands their rights as a client.
Ethics and Morals
In its simplest form, a moral describes the VALUE an individual or group attaches to right and
wrong. It is these values, or morals, that INFLUENCE not only their own behavior, but how they
interpret the behavior of others.
, Ethics is the study of right and wrong applied to questions of correct behavior. Behavior is
interpreted as RESPONSIBLE or IRRESPONSIBLE when judged against agreed upon aspects of
universal fairness. In theory, ethical principles apply to all ACTIONS equally.
Your response is correct!
In its simplest form, a moral describes the value an individual or group attaches to right and
wrong. It is these values, or morals, that influence not only their own behavior, but how they
interpret the behavior of others. Influenced by a variety of factors including family, culture,
religion, and education, morals have an element of subjectivity and preference.
Ethics is the study of right and wrong applied to questions of correct behavior. Behavior is
interpreted as responsible or irresponsible when judged against agreed upon aspects of
universal fairness. In theory, ethical principles apply to all actions equally.
Ethics and Protected Health Information (PHI)
A woman calls the hospital asking for information on a client’s condition. She claims to be the
client’s ex-wife and demands to speak with the healthcare provider about the current
treatment plan. The nurse explains that they are unable to speak to her because her name is
not included on a list of persons with whom the client’s information can be shared.
Select the ethical principles and client’s rights the nurse displayed during this conversation.
Confidentiality Benefice
Autonomy
nce
Reasonable
Veracity
Accommoda
Fidelity tions
Your response is correct!
The nurse is assuring a client’s right to confidentiality by acting ethically and
following the facility policies regarding confidentiality (fidelity) and being
honest with the caller (veracity). By not sharing the client’s information
with a caller who has not been approved to speak with caregivers, the
nurse is protecting the client’s confidentiality.
Providing reasonable accommodations is a right that pertains to care
delivery, not communication with family. Beneficence is an ethical
principle that also concerns care delivery, more so than communication.
Fundamentals: Patient Care-> Unit 2
Introduction to Ethics of Patient Care
“Ethics is knowing the difference
between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.”
– Potter Stewart, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice
As a student, you are learning what is right to do for those in your care: when they hurt, ease
their pain; when they are frightened, listen to them; and when they are unable to care for
themselves, keep them safe. Yet what happens when the nurse’s idea of what is right to do
differs from that of the client? Who is right? And how does the nurse determine what action to
take?
This lesson focuses on these topics, and more.
By completing these Ethics of Patient Care learning activities, the learner will gain the
knowledge and skills needed to:
• Model Chamberlain Care® when communicating with clients, families and other
healthcare providers.
• Discuss the unique aspects of the professional nursing culture.
• Utilize the Patient’s Bill of Rights when making clinical judgements.
• Apply ethical principles when providing client care.
,Ethics in Action
What steps can the nurse take to assure a new client understands their rights and
responsibilities related to receiving healthcare? Select all that apply.
Secure the Patient’s Bill of Rights to wall next to the bed.
Provide a copy of the Patient’s Bill of Rights written in the client’s primary language.
Ask the client if they have questions about their healthcare related rights.
Include the Patient’s Bill of Rights with all admission paperwork.
Require the client to acknowledge receipt of the Patient’s Bill of Rights in writing.
Your response is correct!
Providing a printed copy in a person’s preferred language increases the likelihood that
comprehension and understanding will occur. Following up to answer questions or clarify
details is another tactic that can increase understanding.
While providing a standard copy of the Patient’s Bill of Rights is a good first step, securing a
copy to the wall, assuring a copy is available in the admission paperwork folder, and asking an
individual to sign a statement that a copy of their rights has been received does not help the
nurse confirm the individual understands their rights as a client.
Ethics and Morals
In its simplest form, a moral describes the VALUE an individual or group attaches to right and
wrong. It is these values, or morals, that INFLUENCE not only their own behavior, but how they
interpret the behavior of others.
, Ethics is the study of right and wrong applied to questions of correct behavior. Behavior is
interpreted as RESPONSIBLE or IRRESPONSIBLE when judged against agreed upon aspects of
universal fairness. In theory, ethical principles apply to all ACTIONS equally.
Your response is correct!
In its simplest form, a moral describes the value an individual or group attaches to right and
wrong. It is these values, or morals, that influence not only their own behavior, but how they
interpret the behavior of others. Influenced by a variety of factors including family, culture,
religion, and education, morals have an element of subjectivity and preference.
Ethics is the study of right and wrong applied to questions of correct behavior. Behavior is
interpreted as responsible or irresponsible when judged against agreed upon aspects of
universal fairness. In theory, ethical principles apply to all actions equally.
Ethics and Protected Health Information (PHI)
A woman calls the hospital asking for information on a client’s condition. She claims to be the
client’s ex-wife and demands to speak with the healthcare provider about the current
treatment plan. The nurse explains that they are unable to speak to her because her name is
not included on a list of persons with whom the client’s information can be shared.
Select the ethical principles and client’s rights the nurse displayed during this conversation.
Confidentiality Benefice
Autonomy
nce
Reasonable
Veracity
Accommoda
Fidelity tions
Your response is correct!
The nurse is assuring a client’s right to confidentiality by acting ethically and
following the facility policies regarding confidentiality (fidelity) and being
honest with the caller (veracity). By not sharing the client’s information
with a caller who has not been approved to speak with caregivers, the
nurse is protecting the client’s confidentiality.
Providing reasonable accommodations is a right that pertains to care
delivery, not communication with family. Beneficence is an ethical
principle that also concerns care delivery, more so than communication.
