Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards Flashcards

Which ethical principle refers to a patient's right to make their own healthcare decisions?

Answer: Autonomy

Autonomy is the ethical principle that recognizes the patient's right to make informed decisions about their own healthcare, free from coercion.

What does 'beneficence' mean in healthcare ethics?

Answer: Act in the patient's best interest and promote their well-being

Beneficence means acting in the patient's best interest and taking positive steps to promote their health and well-being.

What does 'nonmaleficence' mean?

Answer: Do no harm

Nonmaleficence is the principle of doing no harm, meaning healthcare providers must avoid actions that cause unnecessary harm to the patient.

If the nursing assistant suspects patient abuse or neglect, they are legally required to:

Answer: Report it to the supervising nurse and follow mandatory reporting laws

Nursing assistants are mandated reporters and must report suspected abuse or neglect to the supervising nurse and, if required, to state authorities.

Which document outlines what life-sustaining treatments a patient does or does not want?

Answer: Living will (advance directive)

A living will is an advance directive that specifies a patient's wishes about life-sustaining treatments, such as ventilators or feeding tubes, in case they cannot communicate.

What is the nursing assistant's obligation when they make an error in care?

Answer: Report the error immediately to the supervising nurse and document it

Nursing assistants must report errors immediately to the supervising nurse and document them accurately; transparency is an ethical and professional obligation.