Editing Management of Care (section)

== Ethical Principles ==

Ethics addresses what ought to be done when values conflict; law addresses what must be done. An action can be legal and unethical, or ethical and illegal.

* '''Autonomy:''' the right of a competent person to self-determination. Underpins informed consent, refusal of treatment, and advance directives.
* '''Beneficence:''' acting for the patient's good.
* '''Nonmaleficence:''' avoiding harm. "First, do no harm."
* '''Justice:''' fairness in the distribution of care and resources; treating like cases alike.
* '''Fidelity:''' keeping commitments and being faithful to the patient and the profession.
* '''Veracity:''' truthfulness.
* '''Accountability and responsibility:''' answering for one's own actions and accepting the obligations of the role.

'''Advocacy''' is the applied form of these principles: informing patients of their rights, supporting their decisions even when the nurse disagrees, and speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves. A recurring examination pattern is that supporting the patient's own informed choice is more often correct than persuading the patient toward the clinically preferred option.

'''Moral distress''' occurs when the nurse knows the ethically right action but is constrained from taking it. It is a recognized contributor to burnout and turnover, and the constructive responses are to name it, use the chain of command, and request an '''ethics committee''' consultation. Ethics committees provide education, policy guidance, and non-binding case consultation; they advise, they do not decide for the patient.

The '''ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses''' is the profession's own statement of its obligations and is non-negotiable, though it is not itself law (ANA, 2015).