Frequently Asked Questions
Chapter 9: Ethical Issues

What is the difference between ethics and morality?

Ethics is the branch of philosophy that examines the differences between right and wrong. Morality is behavior in accordance with custom or tradition. Morality usually reflects personal or religious beliefs. Ethical beliefs influence behavior.

What is the relationship between ethics and the law?

The field of ethics is rooted in the legal system. Ethical opinions reflect individual values concerning how one should behave. Laws reflect social and political values and deal with actions rather than intention.

What are the differences between teleology and deontology?

Teleology is the ethical theory stating that the value of a situation is determined by its consequences. The teleological theory, also known as the “consequentialist” theory, was advocated by the philosopher John Stuart Mill. One principle of teleology is the principle of utility, which states that an act must result in the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people involved in a situation.

Deontology is the ethical theory that considers the intrinsic significance of the act itself, or the motive of the person doing the act, as the criterion for determination of good. The deontological theory, also known as “formalism,” was advocated by the philosopher Immanuel Kant. Kant established the concept of the categorical imperative, which states that one should act only if the action is based on a principle that is universal, or in a way that everyone would act in a similar situation.

What are the factors contributing to an increased need to provide health care in an ethical manner?

Bioethical considerations are important in health care due to (1) an increasing level of technology that has led to situations that involve complicated issues, (2) the changing family structure in our society, (3) improving client knowledge about health care, and (4) a decreasing proportion of total federal funds for health care, leading to a need to determine who receives care.

What is one undesirable outcome of beneficence?

One undesirable outcome of beneficence is paternalism, in which health care providers decide what is best for clients and encourage them to act against their own choices.

What are the major ethical principles affecting health care?

The major ethical principles affecting health care are (1) autonomy, the individual’s right to choose and ability to act on that choice; (2) nonmaleficence, the duty to cause no harm to others; (3) beneficence, the duty to do good to others and to maintain a balance between benefits and harms; (4) justice, the equitable distribution of potential benefits and risks; (5) veracity, the obligation to tell the truth; and (6) fidelity, the duty to do what one has promised.

What is the relationship between ethics and values?

Values influence beliefs and attitudes and thus form the base for ethical decision making.

How has the nursing profession delineated its guidelines for ethical conduct?

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) developed its Code for Nurses in 1973, urging nurses to respect the values, customs, and spiritual beliefs of individuals. The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) developed a code of ethics in 1980 (revised in 1991). The American Nurses Association (ANA) developed its Code of Ethics in 1985, delineating the nurse’s obligations to clients and society at large.

Generally, what rights were established for clients in the American Hospital Association Patient Bill of Rights in 1972 (revised in 1992)?

Generally, clients have the right to make decisions about their own care, be actively involved in their treatment, and be treated with dignity and respect.

What is “ethical reasoning” and when is it used?

Ethical reasoning is the process of thinking through what needs to be done in an orderly manner using ethical principles. Nurses use ethical reasoning when faced with an ethical dilemma (a conflict between two or more ethical principles).

What is the difference between active and passive euthanasia?

Active euthanasia is taking deliberate action to hasten a client’s death, and passive euthanasia means cooperating with a client’s dying process.