Professional Adjustment in Nursing

EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE $c1lOol of nur:sing & Midwif ery N -105 PROFESSIONAL ADJUSTJ\IENT

ETIIICS Comes from the Greek word Ethos means moml duty "It studies how people nlJke judgment in regJrd to right or wrong -It is about making choices that arc best for the individual or society at certain times and p>lfticular situation, Jnd then e\Jlll.llln); such and outcomes MORALITY Derived from the Greek word Momlis which means socbl consensus about mora! conduct for human bClII.!;S :Jnd society [t is a specific way of behavior of accomplishing ethical pmctices

[I is the right or wrong, good or evil, proper or improper, cruel or benevolent acts Professional Ethics . is a branch or moral sciencc conccrned with the obligations that a member of the profession owes to the public Health care Ethics- is the division of ethics that relates to human health Bio-ethics- is a specific domain of ethics that focuscs on moml issues in the field of health care

ETlIICAL PRINCIPLES & APPROACHES A.

TELELOGICAL APPROACH -.L.

Comes from the Greek word telos or "goal or end"

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"Thc right thing to do is the good thing to do"

"'.

Also termed

as

the utilitarianism where the good resides in the promotion of happincss or the greJtcsl net

increase of pleasure over pain

...j

If the act helps people, then 11 is a good one, and i f i t hum people, then 1I:l b:ld one (Joseph Fletcher)

GUIDELINES FOR MAKING ETHICAL DECISIONS: I.

Consideration for people as hum:ln beings

2.

Consider:ltion of consequenccs

3.

ProporlionJtc good to come from the choices

4.

Propriety of aClu:ll needs over idea! or potential needs

5.

A desire to enlarge choices and reduce ehJnee

6.

A eourJgeous JeceptJnec of the consequences oflhc decision

S.

DEONTOLOG1CAL APPROACH

� �

Comes from the Greek word deon which means duty "I t is only through du tiful act ions t hat people have montl worth. Even when individuals do not \\allt to fu lfill their duty, they ne required to do so" (I mman uel Kant)

C.

VIRTUE ETHICS APPROACH

.... ..L

Comes from the Creek word arete

D.

DIVINE COMMAND ETHICS

-.j..

Based on the theory that there is a supreme or divine being that sets dOl\II the rulcs to IlrO\'idc gui d�ncc to

Focuses all the t rait s and virtues of a good person such as courage, temperance, wisdom and justice

moral decisions.

NURSING ETHICS .j...

Is the examination of all ethical and bio-ethical issues from the prospective of nursing theory and nursing ethics

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( Johnston) Is the field of nursing that focused on the needs and experiences Gf practicing nurses, the e)."(lloration of its meaning and that of ethical practice in terms of the perception oflhese nurses (Vercoe)

UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLES OF BIOMEDICAL F.TIlIeS AUTONOMY Comes from the Greek word Autos meaning self and Monos me'H1illg governance, It involves self.. detel'lnin:uion and freedom to choose and implement one's decision, frec from dc(cit, durcss, constraint 01' (oelTion,

VERAClTY The truth, accuracy or pCfcision of something The truthfulness or honesty of a person

Beneficence

It promotes doing acts of kindness and mercy that directly benetlt the p:'lticnt. PATIENT'S BILL OF RIGHTS The right to considerate and respectful care The right to relevant, current and understandable information concerning diagnOSiS, treatment prognosis, specific procedures, treatment, risks involved, medically reasonable alternative benefits needed to maj,e informed consent The right to make decisions regarding his plan of care; in case of refusal he is entitled to other lIPIII'Opri.\te care and service or be transferred to another hospital The right to have ad\'ance directive( such as a living will) concerning trealment or desigllaling:1 surrog:!!")

2.

When the offender has no intentlon to commit so grave a \,rong as the one committed

to justify the act or to exempt the offender from criminal liability in the respective cases are not attcndant

3.

When the offender is under eighteen years of age or over 70 years old

4.

When sufficient provocation or threat on the part of the offended party immediately precedes the act

5.

When the act is committed in the immediate ... ·indication ofa grave ofreuse to the one committing the felony, his/her spouse, ascendants, descendants, legitimate, natural or adopted brothers, or relative by affinit�· "ithin the same degree

6. 7.

'Vhen a person aelS upon an impulse so powerful as naturally to have produced an obfuscation

8.

When the defender is deaf and dumb, blind or otherwise suffcring from physical defect

When Ihe offender voluntarily surrenders himself to a person in authority or confesses before the court llrior to the presentation of the evidence for the prosecution

AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES Are those attending the commission of a crime and which increase the crimin:,[ liabilit) of the offender or make his guilt more severe. I.

When the offender takes advantage o f his public position

2.

When fhe crime is ("ommitted in contempt of or with insult to public authorities

3.

\Vhen the act is commilted ""ith insult or disregard of the respect of the offended I):,rl), on account of his ranI;., age, sex

�. When the aCI is committed ""ilh abuse or confidence or ob\'ious ungralefulness 5. when a crime is committed in II plllce of worship .

6. When the crime Ii commilled on the oCCll;sion ofll confl.agration, shipwrcck, carthljuake, ellidcmic or other (lIl:IInily or misfortune

7. "'hen the crime is commitled in consideration of a price, re,\ard or promise 8. \Vhen the crime Is committed by means of inundation, fire, polson, explosion, standings of a "esse! or intentional damage

9. When the act Is committed with evident premeditation or after unlawful entry 10. When craft, fraud, or disgUIse I� employed

when the wrong dOlle In Ihe commission of the ("rime is delibenllely aUJ.:menled by cau�inJ.: othcr wronJ:s not necessary

for its commission ALTERNATIVE CIRCUMSTANCES Are Ihose wbich must be taken Into consideration as aggra,:uing or mitig:lIing according to the n:lture and effeCIS oftbe crime and other conditions attending ils commission. TheSl' arc Ihe rel:llioilShill, inlo.\ic:llion anti degree of instruction and education of the offender LACK OF EDUCATION IS NOT ;\lIT1GATING IN: Rape I.

3.

Forcible abduclion Arson

4.

Treason

2.

5,

In crlmts against chastity like seduction and acts of lasciviousness

6.

Those acts committed In a mercitess or heinous manner MORAL TURPITUDE-

h an act of baseness, vileness or depr;l\·it) in socilll or prinlle dulieS which a nlln o""es 10 his fellow man or 10 society in genenti, :1.11 aCI cOlltra1)' to the accepted lind cuslomary rule of righl and duty between men �tURDER- ls Ihe unlawful killin g o f a human being "ith intent to kill. It ls a "cry serious crime. ]\urses should keep in mind that death resulting from a criminal abortion is murder. Euthanasia is also considen'd murder'. 1I0MICII)E- is the killing of a human being in anolhrr, It may be committed \\ itholJl criminal intent, by an� person whom kills another, other than his father, mother, or child or any of his :Lscendants or dc�cendanls, or his spouse, without any of the circumstances attendant the crime of murder enumerated abo\\: being present.

ABORTION-Is illegal accortling to the rcvised [lena! code. The p:llienl should :lssurne resllonsibiJiI� for her abortion. She should be made to sign a statement relieving Ihe hOSi1itai anti its personncl from li:lhilily Il"I'FANTICIDE- IS TilE KILLING OF A CHILD LESS TIIAN TIIREE DA YS OF AGE. The mother oflhe child "ho commits this crime sball suffer penalty of imprisonment ranginJ.: from 1\\'0 years !lIld four month� and 1 day to 6 years PARRICIDE- Is a crime committed by one who kills her/his falher, mother or child whelher legilimate or ilIej;:ltlmate, or any of his/her IIscendants or dtscendants or his/her siiouse. ROBBERY- is a crime against a person or property CO�TROLLED SUBSTANCES R.A. 6425 kno""n as the Dangerous Drug Act of 1972 co\'ers the administration and regulation of the manufacture, distribution, dispensing of controlled druj;:S. Persons authorized 10 prescribe or disptnse these drugs are required to registc,' aut! h:l\e a spccial Hcen�l' for this purpose POINTS TO OBSERVE I�' ORDER TO AVOID CRIMINAL LIABILITY I.

B e \l'1')' famiJi:r.r wJth the Philippine Nursing Law

2.

Bewllfe of la\\s tbat affect nursing pr:r.clice Al lhe Slart of employment, get a copy of your job description, the agency's rules, re{:ulations and policies

3.

4.

Upgrade your skills and competence

5.

Accept only such responsibility tbat is witbin the scope of your employment and your job description

6.

6. Do not delegate your respon�ibi1ity to others

7.

7. Determine whether your subordinates are competent In the work are assigning them

8.

8. Develop good interpersonal rel:uionships with your co-workers, \\ hether they be your supcrvisor�, peers, or· subordinates

9.

9. Con�ult your sU llcrlors for Ilrllblcms Ih:!1 Ill:!y he ton hi� fvr )'011 II) h;lJlllle

10. 10. Verify orders Ihal arc not clear to you or those th:lI seem 10 be erroneou� I I . The doctors should be informed about the patient's condition

12. Keep in mind the value and necessity of keeping accurate and adequate records 13. Patients are entitled to an Informed consent WILLS Il ls 2 1eg21 declu2tlon Of2 person's intentions upon death.

It is c211ed testamentary dpcument beuuse il takes effecl affer the dealh of its maker

DECEDENT- a person whose propeny Is transmitted through succession whether or not he left a w ill. If he left a wiJl he is ulled a TESTATOR. lfa woman TESTATRIX

1I0LOGRAPIIIC WILL- 11 wlll thllt is written lind Signed by the testator IIEI R is a person called to succession either by the pro\ision of a will or by operation of Ill" There should be a witness who knows Ihe handwriting and signature of the testator el illicitly ded:\rClI t hat the will and the signature are in the handwriting of the testator ORAL WILL is also called as NUCUPATIVE WILL or NUNCLPATION it is during Ihe last illness, th:1I it is done in the place in which a he dies, thaI he asked one or more witness 1 0 the will, that fhe will be put ill II I·itin � \Iilhin 2 gh'en number of days, that it be for probate within a specified lime NURSE'S OBLIGATION IN THE EX�CUTION OF A WILL The nurse should note the soundness of Ihe patient's mind and Ihat there was fr·cc from fraud or undul' influence and that the patient was above 18 yens or of aile . The patil'nt should write that the will was Signed by the trstator, th�t the wilnesse� wcre n il present ;\1 th e sallie lime and signed the will I the presence of the testator LIVING WILL Is an indh'idual's signed requeslto be allowed to die when life can be supported only mechanicall) or b) hcrok measures.

It also Includes the decision to accept or refuse 2n) t,·eatment, scrvice or procedure uscd to dia gnose or Ire;.l! his/her physical or mental condition and decisions to prOl>ide \I>V \NCE DIRECTIVE & II EALTil CARE PROXY The patien t designates 2 health care representative, usu211y a member of the family, a friend or a famil� Ilhysiciall to make dccisions for him/her when he/she Is unable, due to physical or mental incllpacity, llCCCjlt or refuse trenl menl, sCI'"lce or procedure used to di2gnose or treat his/her physical or mental condition and decisions to provide,

l\

ilhhold o r

withdral\ life sustaining measures WIIAT SIIOULO A NURSE R£MEMBERABOUT WILLS· ! A nurse especially those t2king care of well-lo-do patients should remember that the main requisite for making a will is testamentary capacity or sanity. The person who makes a will should at least be 18 yellrs old and is Ilot prohibited by law. The will is written and should be \\itllessed by three crediblc II itnesses, unless it is holographic "ill. A Holographic will is one that is entirely written, dated and Signed by hand. There i� no leg:!1 reason for the nurse to rt'fuse 10 witncss the prep:ualion of a will. WIIAT IS AN INCIDENT REPORT II is an administrative rellort that is required of nurses if there are violations of standanl� and policic� II hether or not injury occurs. Through incident repons, hospital administration can monitor quali ty of patient Cllre and institule some measures to prevent slmllu incidents in the future. co_\nION LEGAL TERMS THAT A :\URSE SHOULD KNOW: Affidavit· is a "ritten slatement made under oath before a notary puhlic or orhl'r Ilerson duly authorized Contempt of Coun- is the \\illful disobediencf: to, or open disresjlect for, Ihe rules of courl Derendant- the person being accused of a "rongdoing; the thererore needs to defend thl'mseh es

Day in court- the right of a person to appear in court and be heard concerning his compliant/dcfense Due process- is fair and orderly process which aims to protect and enforce a person's rights False Testimony- is punishable both criminal and civil law Hearsay Evidence- is evidence that is derived from something the witncss heard from others Inquest- is the legal inquiry into the cause or manner of a death Perjury- is thc willful telling of a lie under oath Plaintiff- the person who files the lawsui! and is seeking for a perceived wrongdoing Prima facie Evidence- evidence, which if unexplained or ullcontradicted would establish Ihc fact alleged Privilegcd Communicalion- statements uttered in good failh. These are not permilled to be divulged in court justice. Statute of Llmltations- define the length of time followiug the event during which the pl:iintiff may file till' lawsuit Subpoena- is an order Il

rt requires a person to attend at

)1

spccific time and place to testify as witness

Subpoena Duccs Tecum- is a subpoena that requires a witness to bring required p:qJCrsl dOell!llents lind the like which may be in his possession Summons- is a writ commanding an authorized person to notify a p:lrty 10 :lppe:\I· in eourl to answel· a tallJ]ll:lin! made agaInst them Warrant- is writing from a competent authority in pursuance of law, directing the doin):: or all :lct, and addressed to a person competent to do it

Prepared by: Ms. Jennilyn A. MusIIgi, RN, MAN

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