Chapter 7 - Ethical Decision Making

According to Callahan, what role do emotions play in ethical decisions? A. Both reason and emotion should be active and in accord when making ethical decisions. B. Ethical decisions should be based solely on emotion. C. Ethical decisions should be based solely on reason. D. Emotion plays more of a part in ethical decision making when the decision effects you personally.

A In a holistic view of people, however, both thinking and feeling are credible ways of knowing, each having a legitimate role in ethical decision making. Callahan (2000) suggests that heart and mind should not be viewed as antagonistic in the moral arena; rather, both reason and emotion should be active and in accord as we come to an ethical decision.

What is the first step of ethical decision making? A. Articulate the problem and determine a realistic goal. B. Explore potential strategies C. Gather data and identify conflicting moral claims D. Select and implement a strategy

A The first step in the decision-making process is to clearly articulate the problem. After you identify the problem, you will clarify the goal, since a problem consists of a discrepancy between the current situation and a desired state (goal).

How is ethical decision making similar to or different from the nursing process? A. Both involve very similar steps, including gathering data, implementing interventions or strategies, and evaluating outcomes B. Ethical decision making requires the nurse to take into consideration the nurse's own personal values, where the nursing process does not. C. The nursing process always comes to a rapid conclusion for a plan of care, where ethical decision making always takes a very long time to reach a conclusion. D. The nursing process is much less scientific than the decision-making process

A The nursing process generally includes the following interactive and sequential steps: problem identification based on assessment of subjective and objective data; development of a plan for care guided by desired outcomes; implementation of interventions; evaluation of the outcomes; and revision of the plan over time. Similar to the nursing process, ethical problem solving includes similar steps: Step 1: Articulate the Problem and Determine a Realistic Goal, Step 2: Gather Data and Identify Conflicting Moral Claims, Step 3: Explore Potential Strategies, Step 4: Select and Implement a Strategy, Step 5: Evaluate Outcomes and Revise Plan if Needed.

What is true about practical dilemmas in nursing? A. Practical dilemmas are grounded in self-interest. B. Practical dilemmas are the same as moral dilemmas. C. Practical dilemmas take precedence over moral dilemmas. D. Practical dilemmas usually involve beneficence.

A One must be careful to differentiate between moral and practical dilemmas. Occasionally, situations present themselves in which moral claims compete with nonmoral claims. Nonmoral claims are claims of self-interest.

A nurse is in an elevator and hears two other nurses making fun of an older adult patient who was crying because the patient was just told she has hepatitis C. Which type of moral stress is this nurse feeling? A. Distress B. Outrage C. Reckoning D. Reflection

B Moral outrage is defined as anger that occurs when one person perceives that another has violated a moral standard or principle such as justice, respect, or beneficence

When does moral uncertainty occur? A. When moral claims compete with nonmoral claims B. When one is unsure of the morally correct action to take C. When options include conflicting moral claims D. When two options that are equally unfavorable

B Moral uncertainty occurs when we sense a moral problem but are not sure of the morally correct action; when we are unsure which moral principles or values apply; or when we are unable to define the moral problems.

Which step of ethical decision making includes identifying the key persons involved in the decision-making process? A. Articulate the problem and determine a realistic goal B. Evaluate outcomes and revise plan if needed C. Gather data and identify conflicting moral claims D. Select and implement a strategy

C When an ethical problem occurs, gather information or facts in order to clarify the issues. As part of this process, identify the key persons involved in the decision-making process and delineate each person's role.

Which ethic demonstrates respect for persons and the desire to do good for this particular patient on this particular day? A. Ethic of empathy B. Ethic of justice C. Ethic of respect D. Ethic of responsiveness

D A nurse's ethic of responsiveness demonstrates respect for persons and a desire to do good for this particular patient on this particular day. The nurse with this quality responds with sensitivity to the concerns, needs, and preferences of each patient.

What is moral integrity? A. A character trait that includes a delicate and profound awareness of other people's feelings B. The feeling or emotion that one has when recognizing the suffering of another coupled with the desire to alleviate or prevent the suffering C. The recognition of duty to patient. D. The wholeness and stability of character that leads to trustworthiness.

D Moral integrity binds a person's moral virtues into a coherent package—it creates a wholeness and stability of character that leads to trustworthiness. Moral integrity involves a unified integration of different parts of the person such as emotions, goals, hopes, knowledge, and values in a way that is consistent, sound, and reliable.

What must a nurse do when making a thoughtful decision? A. Act on instinct, the first choice is usually the right one. B. Ask colleagues to make the decision instead. C. First see if the situation will resolve on its own. D. Gather data and compare options

D Making thoughtful decisions in any arena follows a pattern that includes gathering data, comparing options based on particular criteria, making and acting on a choice, and evaluating outcomes or circumstances surrounding the choice.