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What is an Ethical Principle

What is an ethical principle? Why are ethical principles important in nursing?

what is a ethical principle - ethical principles definition

What is an ethical principle?

Define ethical principles: Ethical principles are obvious moral truths that help people decide what to do and how to act. There are seven ethical principles: autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, veracity, confidentiality, justice, and fidelity.

Ethical principles autonomy definition

Autonomy means being able to make your own choices about things that affect your life.

Autonomy means self-governing. This word comes from the Greek words autos (self) & nomos (governance), which refers to the moral power or right to self-governance and the will to make decisions about one’s life.

The principle of autonomy says that everyone should be able to make their own decisions about their own goals. It is closely related to the idea of respecting people. It is a place where everyone is free to make their own decisions and act on them without lies, restrictions, or force.

In this case, autonomy is a condition where a person is respected, free to do what they want, and must be able to set their own goals and decide what to do.

Beneficence ethical principle definition and example in nursing

Under the principle of beneficence, nurses must act in good ways for their patients. The goal of beneficence gives nurses a reason and context for what they do. It builds society’s and individuals’ faith in nurses and health care agencies.

principles of ethics beneficence

The beneficence ethic comprises three parts:

We ought to do or promote well.

Nurses probably want to do good. In some cases, people can’t decide what’s good.

For example, consider a patient with a painful terminal illness. Some believe life should be protected at all costs. Others prefer death to a painful, dependent life. In any given situation, what needs to be done will depend, at least partly, on how good is defined.

We ought to prevent evil or harm.

Some believe that no harm is more important than doing good. All nursing ethical codes require preventing damage. For example, when a coworker or anyone else puts a person’s care at risk, the nurse takes the proper steps to protect them.

We ought to remove evil or harm.

Steps include expressing concern to the person carrying out the problematic conduct, reporting the practice to the proper authority within the institution, and, if not changed, reporting the situation to other suitable authorities such as professional organizations or licensing boards.

Nonmaleficence ethical principle in nursing meaning and example

Nonmaleficence ethical principle in nursing is connected to beneficence. This principle says that we should not do anything that could hurt our patients.

Nonmaleficence also means that doing good should not cause harm. In these situations, the harm must be weighed against what is expected to be gained.

For example, sticking a kid with a needle to hurt them is never a good idea. But, while painful, an immunization protects a youngster from catastrophic sickness. The vaccine’s benefits outweigh the needle’s agony.

Veracity ethical principle definition

Truthfulness is central to the principle of veracity in ethics. Honesty is regarded as a core value by people everywhere.

When you break the truth principle, you show that you don’t care. If a nurse or other person involved tells a lie or doesn’t tell the truth, it means that their job or role is more important than the patient.

Confidentiality ethical principle in nursing definition

principles of biomedical ethics - principle of ethics in nursing

The confidentiality ethical principle is the moral rule that says you can’t tell anyone about private or secret information you’ve been given—keeping a patient’s information private shows that you respect them as a person and is essential for the nurse-patient relationship in many ways.

For example, mental illness, alcoholism, and drug addiction diagnose that, if revealed, could lead to public condemnation and discourage care.

What is ethical principle justice in healthcare?

Justice ethical principle refers to fair, equitable, and reasonable treatment in light of what is due or owed to others. For example, limiting supplies means no one can have all they want or need.

A governing system creates policies to distribute scarce resources fairly.

The ethical principle of fidelity

Fidelity’s ethical principle is frequently associated with the concept of loyalty and the practice of keeping promises. It creates an independent duty to keep promises or contracts and is a basic idea of the relationship between a nurse and a patient.

Even though fidelity is the key to a trusting relationship between a nurse and a patient, every promise should be weighed against the harm it might cause.

Well, I hope you understand what ethical principles & principles of ethics in nursing are.

About Micel Ortega

Dr. Micel Ortega, MD, PhD, is a highly respected medical practitioner with over 15 years of experience in the field of internal medicine. As a practicing physician, Dr. Micel has built a reputation for providing compassionate and evidence-based care to his patients. He specializes in the diagnosis and management of chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Micel has published extensively in top-tier medical journals on the latest advancements in internal medicine and has played an instrumental role in the development of innovative treatment options.

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