Preview

Beneficence In Nursing

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
611 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Beneficence In Nursing
There are numerous competing values or principles which are at play in this case which the nurse must choose between, especially veracity or truth telling to reinstate autonomy to a fully autonomous person versus the prevention of harm.
Veracity is the obligation to be truthful and to not lie or deceive others (Fry and Johnstone 2005). It is an ethical principle which encompasses trust and its fundamentality to the formation of strong patient-nurse relationships. This is a core concept in the provision of good nursing care. This principle is strongly linked with that of autonomy which is the ability to make choices about one’s own life. Veracity and truth telling in giving patients information about their health care needs enables the patient
…show more content…
This principle of ethics is being neglected in this case as there is an absence of any truthful conversation with her as the nurse isn’t aware of what knowledge she has about her diagnosis.
There have been arguments made for the concealment of the truth. One of these is arguments is argument from beneficence which believes that knowing the truth would be harmful to the patient (Dooley and McCarthy 2005). Beneficence refers to actions that are central to promote good or to help the patient, they are based on the moral rules preventing harm to the patient etc (Grace 2009). The argument of beneficence is example of paternalism, the action of overriding a person’s choice or control over their actions to protect them from harm or to promote their own good. Strong paternalism refers to paternalism being used on a fully autonomous person. This has been adopted in this case as Sarah shows the capacity to understand the diagnosis and has expressed to the nurse that she wants to know about her diagnosis. For the argument of beneficence to be adopted, the patient must show that there is potential for her to be put in harm’s way if

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Can you keep a secret? That question could quite possibly contain the most intriguing words uttered between two people! When spoken, they ignite a flame of curiosity within the hearer that will not be extinguished until the sacred secret is whispered. An explicit trust is expected with such a disclosure; a trust that, when broken, can destroy a relationship. When that “secret,” or confidence, is exchanged between a patient and healthcare provider, however, a whole new level of discretion is required. This paper will explore the meaning of confidentiality in the healthcare setting, define the meaning of a breach of that confidentiality, and determine when it is ethical for a healthcare provider to break a patient’s confidence.…

    • 1172 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The ethical problem in this case involves Joanna’s concerns with the patient complaint of abdominal pain going unaddressed. Despite the vital signs being within normal limits and no significant changes in readings, Joanna’s report of abdominal pain to the medical resident twice and the nurse supervisor’s went ignored.…

    • 713 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    As a nurse it is common knowledge that patient confidentiality is of up most importance. We learn this in nursing school as it is part of the Nursing Code of Ethics and it is a nurse’s duty to keep patient information confidential. (American Nurses Association, 2012). There are however, extenuating circumstances that may require and be appropriate for a nurse to break this rule. As a matter of fact, the nurse could be held responsible if harm came to the patient because she did not speak out. If a patient presents to the ER because he needs stitches in his wrist and tells the nurse that he wants to or was attempting suicide the nurse has a duty to report this and find help for the patient, or possibly the spread of sexually transmitted diseases that are required by law to report. This paper will provide an overview of ethical implications of a breach of confidentiality, an ethical theory, and alternatives to breaching confidentiality using the framework of ethical decision making and the use and role of an ethics committee.…

    • 1385 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    As nurses we often find ourselves trapped in the center of ethical dilemmas between physicians, patients, family members, co-workers, and employers. In ethical dilemma our ethical values and ethical behavior guide us to provide the best care to our patients. In this paper I will define ethics value, my ethical values, and how did I developed them. Also, I will discuss how my ethical values have significant positive impact on my life, and ethical behavior that I want to develop in future.…

    • 658 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Confidentiality is central of trust in the doctor-patient relationship. Doctors diagnose and treat sickness based on information given to them by the patient in confidence. Confidentiality is a main condition which allows patients to communicate their symptoms, experience, beliefs, concerns and expectations about their disease and their treatment. Confidentiality is essential to safeguard a patient’s dignity, respect, privacy and autonomy and extends after death. The safeguarding of patient confidentiality is a main principle of medical ethics which dates back to the Hippocratic Oath. Confidentiality is both a patient’s right and a doctor’s duty.…

    • 98 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    According to, “The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics”, this document sets standards for nurses. It exemplifies the role of the nurse and duties to be maintained. For instance, patient advocacy is an important factor to the code of ethics. Patient safety is to be a primary goal for the nurse. I believe this is crucial for all nurses to practice. Individuals in the hospital are not necessarily capable of always expressing their needs. Therefore, it is the nurses responsibility to advocate for the patient during times they cannot. For example, one time I was caring for a patient who did not understand their diagnosis. A team of residents came into this person’s room and overwhelmed them with information. Confused, the patient was unable to understand the complexity of the illness. However, I witnessed the nurse advocating for her patient. She stepped in as a voice, making sure the patient’s questions were answered before they left. For a patient it can be quite intimidating when a group of doctors come in talking about a disease process they have never encountered. So, it was satisfying to see the nurse advocate for the patient.…

    • 574 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    It is not unusual for nurses to face at least one ethical dilemma per shift. Some of the hardest ethical dilemmas that a nurse will face during their nursing career are situations that go against the personal values of the nurse. The following essay will discuss such a dilemma and how the nurse uses a decision-making model to assist in resolving the ethical dilemma.…

    • 1205 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Nurse’s face challenges in relation to informed consent on a daily; this is a very sensitive subject because it can have legal and ethical issues surrounding it. The purpose of informed consent is to make sure that the physician or nurse practitioner adequately explains the procedure or treatment and the patient comprehends the information (Roberson, 2007). In addition there are many complexities to informed consent including the rights of the vulnerable, dependent, and cognitively impaired. Ultimately the patient has the right to chose what happens to his or her own body, and be protected from harm.…

    • 644 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Transition Paper

    • 1218 Words
    • 5 Pages

    In the world of medical ethics no sector of healthcare has been under more scrutiny and has drawn more phisophical debates, been under review or been a more sensitive and critical part of the healthcare field than the world of ethics in the field of nursing. Nursing is one of the most pivotal aspects of every medical practice in the world. And today the importance of nursing ethics is ruling right up there with the importance of oxygen. It is an irrefutable fact that ethical standards are both critical and absolutely irreplaceable as part of the very strands that are woven to make up the fragile fabric which represents the field of internal medicine. Nursing ethics then acts as the balance of the pendulum of medical healthcare and services provided throughout the entire world. In this transition paper I will expound and give examples of why the ethics of nursing are as vital to the healthcare system as are doctors in surgery. In conjunction with that we will also discuss the consequences, the damage, and the tragedy that can be experienced if the principles of ethics are not only applied but also followed.…

    • 1218 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Best Essays

    Worldview Comparison

    • 3377 Words
    • 14 Pages

    As nurses we need to take into account each patient’s worldview perspective and support their views, even in the face of clinical evidence that that decision may not be feasible. Because each person carries their own worldview, one that is subjective, to impose our own view on them is to show disrespect for the nature of their being. Ethical behavior demands that although we may not agree with the perspective of the patient we are treating, we need to be cognizant of their view and honor their wishes even if it is in opposition to our own view, so long as it does not bring harm upon self or others.…

    • 3377 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Nursing Paper.

    • 624 Words
    • 3 Pages

    * I do believe there is a bit of deception in this patient’s case. The hospital not disclosing this personal information to her is wrong. I believe she has a right to know anything that is known about her condition as soon as it is known to the physicians.…

    • 624 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Benefits Of Nursing

    • 345 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Nursing – a profession demonstrating nobility, unconditional love and holistic care. It is just more than a job; it is a profession that is enriched with opportunities for those who wants to make a difference and return something constructive back to the society. This profession has a variety of roles to offer and to work with a wider range of people. The profession breeds an innate desire to help people with the need.…

    • 345 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Confidentiality will always be an important component in medical discussions, but confidentiality on the other hand is not a right and has to be stable against counter claims (Chalmers, 2003). Some arguments and facts that were used in the article were how are health care providers suppose to be able to correct the stability? Should overt content always be required from clients for any use of their health care information separately from the direct clinical care? The proof suggests that where the informed consent is needed completeness of health information hurts and unfinished health information, tilted by immeasurable prejudices, are usually not worth the cost of…

    • 1142 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ever felt alone? Feeling unconfident, lost, and isolated are all horrible experiences. Having family, or any strong support system is crucial to achieving goals. The ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) helps students achieve their goals with the support of their educators without ever feeling like they have failed themselves or anyone.…

    • 614 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    The ethical dilemma is that the children of the woman with cancer are not being cared for adequately. The nurse must decide if it is ethically and morally sound to tell the school nurse about the daughters’ situation at home. Since the nurse is the caretaker of the mother and knows that she needs to keep her information about her health confidential. However, it is affecting the mental stability of her daughters because they are afraid of their mother’s declining health. Also, their intellectual abilities are being demised as shown by their worsening grades at school. She also needs to decide if she needs to report the situation as a case of neglect. Since the mother cannot properly even care for herself, let alone her daughters, it is logical to think that as the mother’s health declines, so will her daughters.…

    • 1609 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays