Author Question: The American Nurses Association (ANA ) has adopted a code of ethics for professional nurses. Which ... (Read 141 times)

vicky · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

The American Nurses Association (ANA ) has adopted a code of ethics for professional nurses. Which of the following best describes the ANA code of ethics?

1. Serves as legal standards for professional practice
2. Reflects legal judgments in professional practice
3. Provides standards for professional practice
4. Alleviates suffering for those cared for by professional nurses

Question 2

A nurse is having difficulty with the decision for aggressive cancer therapy in an elderly client, knowing that the client will be subjected to harmful chemicals. This nurse is struggling with which of the following principles?

1. Autonomy
2. Justice
3. Beneficence
4. Nonmaleficence

JaynaD87 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

3. Provides standards for professional practice.

Rationale:
The ANA Code of Ethics is a formal statement of the group's ideals and values. It is a set of ethical principles that serves as a standard for their professional actions. Codes of ethics usually have higher requirements than legal standards, and they are never lower than the legal standards of the profession. Codes of ethics do not necessarily reflect legal judgments. Codes of ethics provide the atmosphere in which the nurse is able to alleviate suffering.

Answer to Question 2

4. Nonmaleficence

Rationale:
Nonmaleficence is the duty to do no harm.. Intentionally harming someone is never acceptable in nursing. In this scenario the elderly client would be placed at risk as a consequence of a nursing intervention that would likely cause more harm than good.. Autonomy refers to the right to make one's own decisions. Justice is often referred to as fairness. Beneficence means doing good.. In this case the benefits are not known, making the harm more real. Aggressive cancer therapy is difficult to endure, and given the age of the client, this case is more suggestive of nonmaleficence than beneficence.