Ethical and Legal Issues Essay

Nurses make lawful and honest purposes when caring for longanimouss decisions that need to be made cargonfully because the decisions could perhaps change a patients sprightliness. There are theories to explain how to problem cream ethically and the theories are not found on emotion (Guido, 2006). This publisher forget discuss the relationship between well-grounded and ethical issues and ethical theories, examples will be provided.Ethics can be described as conventions and trites that are a guide to conduct used to elevate the standard of compliance (Judson & Harrison, 2010). Ethics is derived from the Greek word ethos ethical motive explains propelions as sound or wrong in respect to cultural principles and set. Moral values are person-to-person beliefs that are intertwined with ethical actions and behaviors (Guido, 2006). Ethics, similar to values, are single and they come from our experiences, culture and actions. While ones values or moral ethics may be different , the nurses major power to conform to a patients ethical behavior is authoritative (The VA leads change toward combine Ethics approach, 2008).The reasoned frame was created to establish policies to hold dear the public (Judson & Harrison, 2010). The laws that are set can be changed when evidence suggests amendments are necessary. The relationship between law and ethics is apparent when discussing a patients health care decision that goes against the norms or beliefs of the healthcare provider. An example would be the patient exercising his or her right to refuse treatment for a disease process that will vector sum in imminent death, much(prenominal) as a patient in renal failure refusing dialysis (Guido, 2008). Shannon (2008) discussed the differences of legal and ethical decisions as morally ordinary and extraordinary treatment colligate to the provision of assisted nutrition and hydration, particularly for patients in a ageless vegetative state (p.894).Metaethics is a no nnormative ethic that attempts to describe the import between moral concepts or descriptions and the justification of why something is regarded good or ethically correct. Normative ethics understand standards of behavior and application of these behaviors in life. Normative ethicsbranch out into two broad categories called deontological and teleogical theories (Guido, 2006).Deontological theories focus on the think action not the takingss of ones actions (Guido, 2006). The possible action focuses on the self-worth and sense of duty of the individuals and finds the relationship between the person and the action. Deontological theories are split into two subcategories act deontology and rule deontology. Guido (2006) states that act deontology is based on the personal moral values of the person making the ethical decision, whereas rule deontology is based on the belief that certain standards for ethical decisions transcend the individuals moral values (p. 4).Teleological theories are based on the aboveboard concept, right actions run through good consequences and bad actions have bad consequences. This theory suggests the act of right or wrong is directly related to the consequence of the action. Utilitarianism stems off of teleogical theories, explains that consequences count and acts are rigid by the consequence. Some usefuls believe that the moral rightness of a consequence is determined by the greatest human body of good or the least detriment and suffering (Guido, 2006). Considering the moral rightness is based on greatest number to benefit from the greatest good, actions based on the utilitarianism theory can often be unethical and illegal.Nurses in acute care settings are confront daily with ethical issues and concerns. Shannon (2008) examines the terms morally ordinary and extraordinary in respect to patients in a permanent vegetative state (p. 894). It is theme if we can keep the body alive we should, capacity generated obligation entirely there is a compromise in human dignity, making this twain a legal and ethical dilemma (Shannon, 2008, p. 894).Euthanasia and end of life care often cause a lot of animosity, as they have been distorted by general public. Shannon (2008) states, Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expect outcome can be legitimate it is the refusalof over-zealous treatment (p. 898). This statement defines euthanasia in its most accepted form withdrawal of treatment. This makes the act legal, but is it ethical to withdraw treatment that was started to sustain life, knowing that the result ends in death?Another example of an ethical issue in an acute care setting is preserving variety meat for donation in a patient who is pronounced dead following a cardiac event. pipe organ donation is a personal choice that can be denotative though written consent by the donor. Although, if there is no accompaniment of the patients wishes, fami ly members have to make the decision in the event of unexpected death.Is it legal and ethical to maintain the body of a patient who has died in revisal to keep the organs viable while waiting for the familys decision (Bonnie, Wright, & Dineen, 2008)?When a patient has been tell dead according to neurological criteria hospitals will maintain organ viability while awaiting family decision about donation. Procedures are started post-mortem by a transplant team to determine candidacy for donation. Medications are started and redundant lines are inserted. All of which are done after the patient is declared dead. This is legal in m each states, in fact there is a statute called the immunity clause to protect the health care workers from any liability, but is it ethical (Bonnie, Wright, & Dineen, 2008)?According to Bonnie, Wright, and Dineen (2008), Organ preservation in cases of uncontrollable cardiac death violates no legally protected interest of the family members. It does not cons titute mutilation of the body and falls comfortably within the general principle that hospitals have no duty to riposte corpses to families in their exact restrict of death (p.744). Consider this statement and place an ethical emphasis on your thought process. Healthcare workers are not legally bound to deliver the bodies of their loved ones in the exact condition of their death.In conclusion, through cultural norms, behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes the ethical behaviors of healthcare workers are analyzed. The governing bodies of healthcare such as the American Nurses Association and the American Medical Association mandate healthcare workers to uphold ethical values in his or her practice. The legal system maintains the right to investigate and examine decisions made by healthcare practitioners when decisions pop unethical or perhaps unlawful. The various ethical theories provide direction for healthcare practitioners and ethics review boards with decision-making processes.Refe rencesBonnie, R., Wright, S. & Dineen, K. (2008). Legal authority to preserve organs in cases of uncontrolled cardiac death preserving family choice. Retrieved April 29, 2009, from EbscoHost Database.Guido, G. W. (2006). Legal and ethical issues in nursing (4 ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ Pearson Prentice Hall.Judson, K. & Harrison, C. (2010). Law and ethics for medical careers (5th ed). New York,NY McGraw-Hill.Shannon, T. (2008). Unbind him and let him go Ethical issues in the determination of proportionate and disproportionate treatment. Theological Studies, 69, 894-917. Retrieved April 29, 2009, from MasterFILE Premier database.The VA leads change toward Integrated Ethics approach. (Cover story). (2008, December). Medical Ethics Advisor, Retrieved May 1, 2009, from Academic Search complete database.