Ethics & Legal Issues: Glossary Ch 1 - 3 by Richard McRoberts

Credentialing

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The process of checking a person's background and education to allow that person to practice in a certain profession, such as a nurse or doctor.

Licensure

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Allowing a privileged person to practice (nursing, for example) an activity under the jurisdiction of a certain entity, such as a county or state. Without a license, practicing certain activities (such as nursing or even driving a car) would be considered illegal.

The Ethic of Care

rmcroberts77 — 2025-06-09 18:17:30 UTC

A position that rejects the use of rules and principles, and explores how a caring person would attempt to solve a moral problem while preserving good relationships, helping others, and promoting mutual well-being.

Central values: receptivity, responsiveness, and relatedness.

Related: Natural caring and Ethical caring. (DeMarco et al., 2019)

Principlism

rmcroberts77 — 2025-06-09 18:17:41 UTC

A theory that tries to connect various moral perspectives with bioethical decision making.

Key principles: Respect for autonomy, justice, nonmaleficence, and beneficence.

An example of principlism is when a patient's autonomy is in conflict with beneficence. The nurse would need to find a balance between health promotion and respecting the patient's decision. (DeMarco et al., 2019)

Certification

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An official document or process that notes a person's completion of a skill or competency that meets minimal standards.

Accreditation

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An authority that grants privileges to an institution for conducting the appropriate standards of practice. Example - An authority, such as the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), provides accreditation for colleges to teach nursing when the school meets minimum standards of curriculum and student pass rates.

Informed consent

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Ensuring that the patient has all the essential knowledge about a treatment or research study and is in agreement before starting the treatment or study. A patient who is of sound mind has the right to refuse treatment and decline research study participation.

Autonomy

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An individual's ability and right to make decisions for themself. Also known as free will.

Beneficence

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A nurse's responsibility to promote the health and wellness of others. This is done by performing specific actions or nursing interventions.

Nonmaleficence

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The nurse's responsibility not to cause undue harm to the patient.

Justice

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Give equitable care to all patients. Be fair.

Privacy

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Protect the patient and their information from other people. This is done by using curtains and not leaving out personal information where other people can see.

Confidentiality

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Ensure that PMI is secured and only essential personnel have access to it.

Morality

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The beliefs and values of an individual that often influcences behavior and personal decision making.

Ethics

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Principles or values of right and wrong that are established within a society or profession.

ANA Code of Ethics for Nursing

rmcroberts77 — 2025-06-09 18:20:31 UTC

American Nursing Association (ANA) is a professional organization that represents the interests of RN's in the United States, and their Code of Ethics is a guide for nurses to analyze situations and make decisions.

Nurse Practice Act

rmcroberts77 — 2025-06-09 18:20:40 UTC

This is a statute in each state that regulates the practice of nursing. This act defines the practice of nursing in each state, determines the legal titles of nurses, sets the educational qualifications for licensure, and implements disciplinary action on nursing licenses when indicated. (DeMarco et al., 2019)

Categorical Imperative Principle

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Part of the Kantian Deontology, the categorical imperative principle assesses the morality of an action to determine if that action can be universalized. If that action cannot be a universal law, then it is considered immoral. (DeMarco et al., 2019)

Act Consequentialism

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Each action/situation must be evaluated in terms of the consequences of available alternatives. Predictions of consequences are not easy to produce due to the complexity of situations (DeMarco et al., 2019).

Rule Consequentialism

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A moral obligation based on following a rule that produces the best consequences if that rule is generally followed by all people in all applicable circumstances (DeMarco et al., 2019). Instead of evaluating individual actions, rule consequentialism evaluates types of actions.

Kant’s Respect Principle

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Humans should never be treated merely as means, but always as ends in themselves (DeMarco et al., 2019). In other words, don't treat people with disrespect. You must never use people as a tool without regard to their well-being or autonomy.

Rule Theory

rmcroberts77 — 2025-06-09 18:21:28 UTC

Basic moral principles (utilitarian greatest happiness and Kant's categorical imperative) are too vague. Rule theory aims to limit speculation on morally proper behavior and prohibit actions that are destructive of social interaction. Rule theory uses perfect duty rules of morality, such as "Do not steal", which are clear and all people can obey (DeMarco et al., 2019). The goal of rule theory is for people to get along in a community/society.

Utilitarianism

rmcroberts77 — 2025-06-09 18:21:36 UTC

Utilitarianism is the dominant theory of consequentialism. This theory encourages people to take actions that maximize pleasure and minimize pain (DeMarco et al., 2019).

Greatest Happiness Principle

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A hypothetical command. The best action is the one that maximizes happiness and minimizes unhappiness for the most amount of people.

Medical Paternalism

rmcroberts77 — 2025-06-09 18:22:09 UTC

An idea that a healthcare professional approaches a patient for medical treatment in a manner that is like a parent who directs their child to do their homework. The intent is to do good for the patient's health, however, medical paternalism could be a result of coercion (DeMarco et al., 2019). Respect for the patient's autonomy must be maintained.

Reference

rmcroberts77 — 2025-06-09 23:04:11 UTC

DeMarco, J. P., Jones, G. E., & Daly, B. J. (2019). Ethical and Legal Issues in Nursing. Broadview Press.