Nursing Ethical Principles I

The following ethical principles guide nurses in carrying out their professional responsibilities consistent with quality care and adherence to moral obligations.

Autonomy refers to the patient's right to decision-making based on their beliefs and values.

The nurse should respect the patient's right to make healthcare decisions, such as the decision to refuse treatment.

Beneficence refers to doing or promoting good.

The nurse acts in the patient's best interests regardless of the nurse's personal opinion, and the interventions should promote good toward the patient, for example, practicing hand hygiene to prevent infection.

Non-maleficence is avoiding or minimizing harm.

The nurse should avoid any action that could cause harm to the patient, such as administering incorrect medications or failing to follow safety standards.

Justice requires fairness or equal distribution of benefits. For example, the nurse provides quality care regardless of a patient's race or ethnicity.

Fidelity refers to keeping a promise.

Fidelity in nursing implies staying faithful to professional promises, for example, keeping medical or legal information confidential.