Discuss in depth the difference between Law and Ethics.

Give an example
Define autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficience, justice, fidelity and veracity-give
example how these are used in health care.
What is self determination? Cultural relativism? The unborn, privacy and
confidentiality. Identify the rights of an individual within the US healthcare
system.
Can you tell me one way you would handle a health care dilemma?
Discuss similarities, differences and opportunities for collaboration between
nurses and social workers.

Ethics refers to the moral principles that influences a persons behavior. Law is
a rule of conduct enforced by a controlling authority. In an ethical situation, the
individual person makes the decisions on how they are going to act based on their
own morals. While when it comes to the law a governing power tells the individual
how they should act. When it comes to ethics, everyone could react to the same
situation differently because everyone has their own set of morals. However, when
it comes to a legal situation theoretically everyone should act the same because
they would be acting based on a rule they must follow. An example in healthcare
of a legal dilemma could be if a family member asked to see their loved ones
medical records. It is the law that nurses cannot release medical information to
anyone other than the individual it belongs to so all nurses should not give out the
patients medical records. An example of an ethical situation could be if you are
prolife and a patient requests an abortion. A prochoice nurse would handle the
situation a lot differently than a nurse who is prolife based on their own morals.
Autonomy is an agreement to respect others right to self-determine the best
course of action for them and to support individual decision making. An example
of how this is used in healthcare is the right the patient must decide their own
course of treatment or pick a power of attorney to decide the best course of
treatment for that person when they are no longer able to make the decision. The
health care professionals cannot make the decision for the patient. Beneficence is
taking positive action to help others. For example, in healthcare a patient is in
extreme pain so the nurse advocates for the patient to the doctor to increase the
pain medication dosage. Nonmaleficence is an avoidance of harm of hurt for a
patient. For example, not suggesting a clinical trial that could harm the patient
more than help. Justice means that all citizens have an equal right to the goods
distributed regardless of what they have to contribute. For example, all patients
regardless of their backgrounds as far as wealth has the right to equal medical
treatment. Fidelity is a principle that requires loyalty, fairness, truthfulness and
advocacy for a patient. For example, keeping a secret from a patients family about
the patients diagnosis because the patient asked you to. Veracity-give means to
stay devoted to the truth. In healthcare, a nurse may make a mistake it is important
that the nurse is truthful about the mistake he or she made.
Self-determination informs patients of their rights regarding decisions
toward their own medical care and makes sure that these rights are told to the
patient by the healthcare provider. Cultural relativism refers to the understanding
that each culture has its own distinct values when it comes to treatment. It is
important view a specific cultures belief from an impartial perspective not
according to your own culture. The unborn, privacy and confidentially refers to
the importance of discretion when it comes to giving care. Personal information of
a patient should not be shared with anyone other than those directly responsible for
giving care. Also, only the information need to give care should be shared with
other healthcare staff. A patients rights include:
A patient shall not be denied care based on race, religion, sex, age, handicap,
sexual orientation, and source of payment.
A patient may obtain/inspect their own medical records and a third party cannot be
given a copy without permission of patient.
A patient is entitled to privacy in treatment and caring for personal needs with
respect of personal dignity.
A patient is entitled to adequate and appropriate care and to receive information
about his medical condition.
A patient is entitled to receive an explanation of their medical bill and entitled to
know who is responsible for their care.
A patient is entitled to have private communication with their physician, attorney
or other person. A patients civil and religious rights shall not be infringed.
A patient is entitled to retain and use personal clothing and possessions as the
space permits. A nursing home shall provide safe keeping of personal property.
Each patient will be provided with meals which meet the recommended dietary
allowances for a patient and may be modified according to dietary needs.
A healthcare facility shall not discharge, harass, or discriminate against a patient
because they have exercised rights protected by law.
A patient is entitled to adequate and appropriate pain and symptom management as
a basic element of their medical treatment.
When faced with a healthcare dilemma as a nurse, I would try to handle it in
the way that is best for my patient, especially if the dilemma directly affected
them. I would try to advocate for my patient for the best possible outcome for
them. I might collaborate with other members of my healthcare team if Im not
sure the best way to handle the dilemma. Hopefully, communication between the
patient and my healthcare team will allow us to make the best possible decision for
the patient.
The main difference between social workers and nurses is that social
workers work to help promote social change. They do this through improving
health services and helping to obtain services that should be available to all. While,
one of the primary roles of nurses it to provide treatment and education on good
health. Both nurses and social workers however provide counseling and emotional
support to families and individuals. Social workers and nurses can have the
opportunity to collaborate. For example, if a nurse is treating a patient who is ill
because they are living in a poor environment because the patient is homeless, the
nurse can bring this to the attention to the social worker. The social worker can
work on finding a patient a place to live. While, both the nurse and social worker
can offer emotion support to that person.

Hospice nurses and social workers have different job duties but also have
opportunities for collaboration. Hospice nurses primary duties are to make the
patient comfortable and provide end of life care. A social worker, however,
generally works to implement social change. They do this by working to improve
the quality of care and life for all. Social workers can also work outside a hospital
unlike hospice nurses, who are limited to working in a healthcare setting. While a
hospice nurse would primarily focus on the care of the patient, a social worker
would work to help the family plan for post life. Both the hospice nurse and social
worker are important in offering emotional support and counseling for the patient
and family.
As a nurse, it is important to know the specific laws and ethical issues you might
run into. Also, it necessary that a nurse knows all the rights of their patient to make
sure that the patients rights are not being infringed by them or another healthcare
professional. For example, if a patient asks for their medical records. A nurse
should know that a patient can view their own medical records. However, if a
family member asks to see that patients medical records, a nurse should also know
that the information on the patients chart is confidential and can only be seen by
the patient and other professionals working on their care. A nurse might also run
into an ethical issue. Ethics are the moral principles that influence a persons
behavior. The same ethical issue could be handled differently by multiple people
depending on their morals. For example, a patient could request an abortion. A
prolife nurse will handle this completely different than a nurse that it prochoice.
There is also the important issue of self-determination in the nursing field. It is
important a nurse outline the rights the patient has when it comes to treatment. A
patient has the right to refuse treatment and the nurse must respect the decision
even if they dont agree.