1. The document discusses ethics and values in nursing, defining key terms like ethics, morals, and values. It outlines ethical principles like autonomy, non-maleficence, and beneficence. 2. Six standards of nursing practice are discussed, including accountability, continuing competence, and professional relationships. Methods of ethical decision making and processing ethical dilemmas are also presented. 3. Primary values for ethical nursing practice are outlined, including providing safe care, maintaining privacy, and promoting justice. The relationship between ethics, values, and the nursing code of ethics is explored.

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Ethics and Values
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,
Prof. Dr. Ram Sharan Mehta
Medical-Surgical Nursing Department

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Objectives
• Terms: Ethics, Bioethics, Values, Morals
• Ethical principles
• Code of Ethics and primary values
• Nursing Standards definition
• 6 standards of nursing practice
• Framework for processing an ethical dilemma
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,

3. Ethics
•Ethics is the branch of philosophy that concerns the
distinction between right and wrong based on the
body of knowledge, not just based on principles.
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta, 3

4. Ethics…
• Ethics is a system of moral principles and rules of
conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of
human actions or to a particular group of people.
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta, 4

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What is Ethics?
• Branch of philosophy concerned with determining
right and wrong in relation to people’s decisions and
actions.
• Morals and ethics are often used interchangeably but
morals are often stated as private, personal standards
of what is right and wrong, ethics reflect a
commitment to standards beyond personal
preferences.
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,

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7. Ethical Decision Making
• Ethics is a core of professional nursing practice. Nurses
are faced with ethical issues and dilemmas on a
regular basis.
• Nurse must understand her values and morals to be
deal adequately with the ethical issues that come
across.
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8. Contd…
•Ethical decisions involves the following steps:
1.Assess the situation
2. Diagnose (identify) the ethical problem
3. Plan
4. Implement decision
5. Evaluate the decision
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Ethical Theories
• Relational Ethics-used to explain some of the
complexities of nurses moral obligation to the client.
• It is focused on how we treat others
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,

10. Ethical Theories
• Teleology - the value of a situation is determined by its
consequences.
• Deontology - the intrinsic significance of an act itself as the
criterion for the determination of good.
• Situational Theory - holds that there are no set rules or
norms. Each situation must be considered individually.
• Caring-Based Theory - focuses on emotions, feelings, and
attitudes.
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11. Basic ethical principles
• Autonomy- Respect the uniqueness and dignity of each person, self, and
others.
• Non-maleficence - Prevent harm and removal of harmful conditions.
• Beneficence- Act to remove harm or promote benefit.
• Justice- Treat individuals equally.
• Veracity: An obligation to tell the truth
• Fidelity: An obligation to keep promises and fulfill commitments
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Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,

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Ethical Principles
• Autonomy- refers to a person’s independence, self-
determination, self-reliance. A patient has the right to
make decisions about her/her care. Ex. Signing a
consent form for surgery
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,

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Ethical Principles
• Non-maleficience - refers to the avoidance of causing any
harm to clients. Try to balance the risks and benefits of a
plan of care, while striving to do no harm. Ex: bone marrow
transplant promises to bring a cure but there may be a long
period of pain and suffering.
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,

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Ethical Principles
•Beneficence- means promoting good or doing good for
others. Take positive steps to help others. It helps to guide
difficult decisions where the benefits of a treatment maybe
challenged by the risk to the client’s well-being or dignity.
The best interests of the client must be upheld. Ex:
immunization
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Ethical Principles
• Justice- refers to fairness or equity. Clients need to be
treated in a manner that they deserve. Ex. Both clients
receive the same treatment when being admitted for
surgery, fair resources etc.
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,

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What does a code of ethics do?
•Gives guidance for decision making about ethical
matters by providing a set of values that are
basic to nursing practice.
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The Code of Ethics
• Provide rules of ethical or moral behavior for every
circumstance.
• Offer guidance about which values should take priority or
how they can be balanced in practice.
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,

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Values
• Values and ethics are inherent in all nursing acts.
• A value is a strong personal belief; an ideal that a
person strives to uphold.
• Your values reflect cultural and social influences,
relationships and personal needs.
• Values Vary among people and develop and change
over time.
Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,

21. Values
•Values are different from principles, in that they
influence the development of beliefs and attitudes,
rather than behaviors.
•They may, however, indirectly influence behaviors.
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22. Value System
•An individual’s collection of inner beliefs that
guides the way the person acts and helps
determine the choices made in life.
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23. Value Clarification
•The process of analyzing one’s own values to
better understand those things that are truly
important in life.
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24. Value Clarification
•The process of analyzing one’s own values
to better understand those things that are
truly important in life.
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25. Self-Reflection
•Because ethics and values are so closely
associated, nurses must explore their own
values in order to acknowledge the value
systems of their clients.
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Values and The Code of Ethics
Primary values that are central to ethical nursing practice.
The 7 values include:
1. Providing safe care
2. Compassionate competent care
3. Ethical care
4. Promoting health and well-being
5. Promoting and respecting informed decision-making
6. Maintaining privacy and confidentiality
7. Promoting justice and being accountable
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Six Standards of Nursing Practice
• Accountability
• Continuing Competence
• Application of Knowledge, Skills and Judgment
• Professional Relationships and Advocacy
• Professional Leadership
• Self-Regulation
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29. Ethical Decision Making
EVALUATION
Evaluation of outcome of moral actions
"Were the actions ethical?" "What were the consequences?"
IMPLEMENTATION
Carrying out selected moral actions
PLANNING
Consideration of priorities of claims
Consideration of consequences of alternatives
ANALYSIS & DIAGNOSIS
Identification of problem: Statement of ethical dilemma
ASSESSMENT
Determination of claims and parties
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How to Process an Ethical Dilemma
1. Is this an ethical dilemma?
2. Gather all the information relevant to the
case
3. Examine and determine your own values on
the case
4. Verbalize the problem
5. Consider possible courses of action
6. Negotiate the outcome
7. Evaluate the action
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Prof. Dr. RS Mehta,