Ethical and Legal Frameworks Flashcards

What are the four fundamental ethical principles that guide nursing practice in New Zealand?

Answer: Autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice

NZ nursing ethics is guided by four fundamental principles: autonomy (respecting patient choice), beneficence (doing good), non-maleficence (avoiding harm), and justice (fair and equitable treatment for all).

What is the NZ nurse's legal obligation regarding mandatory reporting of abuse or neglect?

Answer: Nurses must report suspected abuse or neglect of children, vulnerable adults, and older persons through appropriate channels

NZ nurses have a professional and ethical obligation to report suspected abuse or neglect. Under the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act (now Oranga Tamariki Act), reporting concerns about children is particularly emphasised. The Vulnerable Children Act also applies.

Under NZ law, what is the legal status of a nurse's clinical documentation?

Answer: It is a legal document that can be used as evidence in court, disciplinary proceedings, and coroner's inquests

Nursing documentation is a legal record that can be used as evidence in court proceedings, disciplinary hearings, coroner's inquests, and HDC investigations. It must be accurate, contemporaneous, objective, and never altered retrospectively.

What does the NZ principle of 'professional boundaries' mean in nursing?

Answer: Maintaining appropriate limits in the nurse-patient relationship to protect the patient from exploitation and ensure professional conduct

Professional boundaries in NZ nursing refer to maintaining appropriate limits in the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship. This protects patients from exploitation, maintains trust, and ensures the relationship remains focused on the patient's needs.

What is the NZ legal requirement for nurses regarding scope of practice?

Answer: Nurses must only practise within their defined scope of practice and within their individual competence

Under the HPCA Act, each nursing scope of practice is defined by NCNZ. Nurses must only perform activities within their defined scope and their individual competence. Practising outside scope can lead to disciplinary action and is unsafe.

What is the NZ nurse's ethical obligation regarding end-of-life care?

Answer: Provide compassionate care that respects the patient's wishes, dignity, and cultural needs, including supporting palliative care and advance directives

NZ nurses have an ethical obligation to provide compassionate end-of-life care that respects the patient's wishes (including advance directives), maintains dignity, addresses pain and symptom management, and supports the patient's cultural and spiritual needs and those of their whānau/family.