Medication decisions involve more than selecting and giving a drug: they also require respect for clients’ rights, well-being, and dignity. This lesson introduces ethical principles that help nurses make safe, client-centered decisions, including when a client declines medication or an error occurs.
Ethics are moral principles that guide behavior. A person’s values are personal beliefs about what is right or wrong and help shape their ethical standards. In nursing, ethical practice applies to major decisions as well as everyday tasks such as assessing a client, teaching about medications, protecting privacy, and responding to concerns.
All flashcards
What are ethics and values?
Ethics are moral principles that guide behavior. Values are personal beliefs about what is right or wrong and help shape a person’s ethical standards.
What does integrity require when a medication error occurs?
Integrity requires honesty, acknowledging responsibility, and promptly reporting what happened so the team can protect the client and respond.
How does autonomy apply to medication administration?
Clients have the right to make informed, voluntary choices about treatment, including the right to refuse a prescribed medication.
How are beneficence and nonmaleficence different?
Beneficence means actively promoting well-being and doing good. Nonmaleficence means avoiding harm and protecting the client from harm.
What do justice and veracity mean in nursing care?
Justice means treating clients fairly and equitably. Veracity means telling the truth and communicating honestly to support trust.
Quiz questions
Which description identifies an adverse drug reaction (ADR)?Answer: A harmful, unintended response to a medicine used at a normal treatment dose.
Which statement best defines a medication error?Answer: A preventable event that may lead to inappropriate medication use or client harm.
What qualifies as a sentinel event?Answer: A patient safety event resulting in death, permanent harm, or severe temporary harm.
What does the Swiss cheese model illustrate about medication safety?Answer: Harm becomes more likely when weaknesses in multiple safety barriers line up.
What is the aim of a just culture when medication errors occur?Answer: Encouraging reporting and learning while maintaining shared accountability.
Based on Pharmacology for Nurses by Tina Barbour-Taylor, Leah Mueller (Sabato), Donna Paris, Dorie Weaver (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.