Word parts
What it means
A set of moral principles used to decide what should be done. In health care the main principles are autonomyaw-TON-uh-meeA person's right to make their own choices about their body and their care.Full entry (respecting a person's choices), beneficencebuh-NEF-ih-sunsThe ethical principle of doing good and acting in the client's best interest.bene- good, well-ficence doingFull entry (doing good), nonmaleficencenon-muh-LEF-ih-sunsThe ethical principle of doing no harm to the client.non- notmale- bad, ill-ficence doingFull entry (avoiding harm) and justiceJUS-tisThe ethical principle of treating people fairly and sharing care and resources fairly.Full entry (fairness). Nurses follow the American Nurses Associationuh-MAIR-ih-kun NUR-siz uh-soh-see-AY-shunThe professional organization for registered nurses in the United States.Full entry Code of Ethics. An ethical dilemma is a situation in which two principles point in different directions. Ethics is about what is right; law is about what is required.
For the nurse
When an ethical question comes up, such as a family asking to keep a diagnosis from the client, use the chain of command or ask for an ethics committee consult.
At a glance
| Spanish | ética |
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Related terms
advocate
To speak up and act for a client's rights, safety and wishes; also, a person who does this.
autonomy
A person's right to make their own choices about their body and their care.
beneficence
The ethical principle of doing good and acting in the client's best interest.
justice
The ethical principle of treating people fairly and sharing care and resources fairly.
nonmaleficence
The ethical principle of doing no harm to the client.