The practicing nurse best understands the concept of ethics to mean
a. acting on what is right in a situation.
b. always doing what patients want.
c. being of good moral character.
d. following strict guidelines for action.
A
The nurse who practices ethically can analyze ethical conflicts in light of situational variables to determine what is right and wrong and then act on what is right.
Patients do have the right to make their own decisions, even when they could cause harm, but being ethical does not mean a blanket approval for the patient to do what he or she wants in every situation. The patient may not understand the facts of a situation, may be impaired by drugs or alcohol, or may have cognitive disabilities that preclude full understanding.
Being of good moral character certainly does play into ethical practice, but ethical practice goes well beyond just a characteristic and requires action.
No strict guidelines exist for ethical behavior, but standards can be used to guide ethical decision making and action. No one set of guidelines will apply to every situation.
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