Essay on Ethical Principles

This essay discusses the importance of ethical principles in healthcare settings, specifically focusing on respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. It analyzes a case study to determine if these principles are followed. The essay also considers the legal aspects of healthcare for teenage patients.

Running head: ESSAY ON ETHICAL PRINCIPLES
CASE STUDY ANALYSIS OF TAYLAH
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

1ESSAY ON ETHICAL PRINCIPLES
Introduction
Healthcare professionals are faced with ethical decisions daily in health care settings for
people with various beliefs residing in a multicultural and pluralistic community, both minor and
major (Tomkins et al., 2015). Since there are many factors in medical circumstances, these
values are regarded not only absolute but also a powerful guideline for clinical medical
intervention because of the reality that several ethical values seem to apply in many
circumstances (Blay et al., 2018). For millennia, certain rules of medical ethics have been used.
In the advancement of society from the beginning moments, aspect like a regard for individuals
and fairness were prevalent. Nevertheless, in 1979 Tom Beauchamp and James Childress
released their first version of the Principle of Biomedical Ethical, popularizing the use of the
principle in the attempts to address ethical problems in clinical practice, specifically as regards
ethical choices in medicine (Blay et al., 2018). According to the Beauchamp and Childress code
of ethics, there are four widely recognized values of biomedical ethics in the field of health care
settings which include: ‘the principle of respect for autonomy’, ‘the principle of non-
maleficence’, ‘the principle beneficence’, and ‘the principle of Justice’ (Beauchamp, 2016).
Therefore, the purpose of this essay is to relate, discuss and critically analyze the above-
mentioned biomedical ethics with respect to the case study of Taylah provided in the form of
digital vignette recording. Hence, in the below section, the case study will be analyzed in a
detailed manner to elaborate on whether the scenario presented in the case study upholds the
biomedical ethics mentioned above or not.
Body
While analyzing the case situation, the incident should be briefly discussed. Taylah (14)
comes to the Clinic of Pam, the sexual health nurse in the community regarding contraceptive.
The case study is primarily based on the adolescent girl named ‘Taylah’ who has been referred
by her school nurse to a clinic nurse about contraceptive techniques. The scenario begins with
Pam greeting Taylah and makes her comfortable in the clinical settings so that with a developed
rapport, the patient and her complications could be properly understood. However, Taylah is
concerned about her privacy and did not want her mom to know about this visit or concern, upon

2ESSAY ON ETHICAL PRINCIPLES
which Pam mentioned that the only time she would be breaking the confidentiality, is if Taylah
is in danger or creates danger for others. Pam took consent prior to asking a personal question
about her house, her mom, her diabetic condition, her education, and her sexual and addictive
habits. It was seen that Taylah is answering confidently; however, on the questions of alcohol
and smoking, as well as her sexual intercourses, Taylah becomes nervous and asked for the
reason of such questions. Further, Taylah mentioned that she is concerned about her diabetes as
it restricts her from several things and hence, she wishes to be normal like other kids.
As per the Beauchamp and Childress code of ethics, there are four biomedical ethical
aspects that should be followed by the healthcare professionals while providing care to the
patients. These ethical codes are associated with the principles of the respect for autonomy,
beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice of each of the patient seeking care or information
about health concern as per Beauchamp (2016), it is important for each nursing and healthcare
professionals to comply with the principles.
Autonomy is the ethical code that allows every individual to make his or her own
healthcare choices and hence while seeking healthcare, the person should be asked for consents,
provide complete details of the healthcare process so that the person could learn about the entire
process (Osamor & Grady, 2016). As per Çetin and Aşkun (2018), while providing care to the
patients, it is important for the nursing professionals to be considerate and respectful about the
patient’s privacy and autonomy so that patients could effectively take part in their care process
and comply with interventions. Beauchamp and Childress have also mentioned autonomy as the
ability to make decisions that are made intentionally so that patients could feel their freedom and
valued in the care process. In the case scenario of Taylah, it was seen that while communicating
to the sexual health nurse, she was provided with the right to deny answering to any of the
personal questions so that her autonomy could be maintained. Further, it was seen that Pam, the
nurse, mentioned each of the details of the interview session, her reason for asking questions
about drugs, her alcoholic behavior, her sexual life, and her personal relationships so that Taylah
could understand the purpose of the communication session. Hence, as per the Beauchamp and
Childress code of ethics, the sexual health nurse in this scenario was able to comply with the
autonomy related ethical aspects (Castro et al., 2016).

3ESSAY ON ETHICAL PRINCIPLES
Beneficence, on the other hand, is the aspect as per which, the care professional works for the
best possible care of the patient so that patients could overcome their health complications. In
such condition, while providing care to patients, as per Newsham (2017), the nursing
professionals that are involved in the care process, should be careful of their actions so that
through their actions, the greater good of the patient could be promoted. As per Chervenak and
McCullough (2016), it is the responsibility of the nursing professionals to understand their
responsibility of taking care of patients and hence, they should perform their roles and
responsibilities so that their patients could be protected from harms and adverse health
conditions. In the case study of Taylah (14), it was seen that the nurse Pam collected all the
verbal consent and while developing this effective communication, she tried to make Taylah
comfortable in the settings. However, in a specific situation, when Taylah asks Pam about her
privacy and confidentiality, the nurse clearly mentions that she would be keeping her information
secret till the point keeping this secret would not harm her. Hence, the nurse clearly mentioned
her ethical responsibility of beneficence and as per that she would practice everything which is
good for Taylah’s health condition. Hence, the sexual health nurse complied with the ethical
consideration of beneficence (Osamor & Grady, 2016).
The third ethical code of conduct by Beauchamp and Childress is Non- maleficence and
as per Slade (2017), this ethical consideration mentions that the nurse should not harm the patient
in any critical condition. As per Mundeva et al. (2018), non- maleficence is the ethical aspect
that should be involved in the care process so that patients could be provided with the beneficial
outcome with no or minimal harm to the patient. Hence, as per Osamor and Grady (2016), non-
maleficence is the ethical code nursing professionals should be aware of the harms and adverse
effects of each intervention and should communicate regarding this to the patient so that minimal
harm to the patient could be achieved. In the case situation of Taylah, it was seen that the sexual
health nurse created an effective communication environment prior to ask patients about her
personal life and preferences. This worked effectively as it was seen that Taylah was able to
answer each of the questions confidently and hence, the nurse was able to solve her queries and
complications. As per Slade (2017), the teenage mind is vulnerable to environment,
surroundings, behaviors, and communication, hence; it is important for the nursing professionals
to be able to develop effective communication so that teenagers and their mental and emotional

4ESSAY ON ETHICAL PRINCIPLES
wellbeing could be maintained. Hence, as per Mundeva et al. (2018), the nursing profession was
able to comply with the non-maleficence related ethical code in the care process of Taylah.
The fourth ethical code of conduct in the care process in respect of patient’s justice. As
per Kelly et al. (2015), justice-related ethical code discusses the fairness and equality of the
healthcare process so that every patient could be provided with effective healthcare. As per Akar
and Ustuner (2019) element of justice or fairness in healthcare is associated with the scarcity of
the resources so that people seeking healthcare in the care process, each patient should be
provided with the efficient care process. Justice helps the patient to make the care process
effective so that with equity and equitable treatment, the patient could overcome their primary
concerns. In the care process of Taylah, it was seen that the patient was uncomfortable in
multiple situations that made her conscious of her health. It was seen that when the nurse
mentioned about her sexual life and her addiction habits, she become very conscious, and hence,
the nurse mentioned that these questions are normal for her healthcare and she asks such
questions to everyone. Hence, as per the sexual health nurse, she maintained all the ethical codes
mentioned by Beauchamp and Childress code of ethics in the care process of Taylah
(Beauchamp, 2016).
Besides this, the healthcare process of Taylah should also comply with the Australian
national legal aspects and as she is only 14 years old, her teenage healthcare rights and
responsibilities should also be maintained. As per Australian Government Department of Health
(2019), as Taylah is 14 years old, she holds the right to give consent on any healthcare
intervention or processes, however, the healthcare processes should be simple and she should not
be provided with equal rights similar to adults. However, it was seen that Taylah was provided
with the consent to share about her addictions and sexual lifestyle, and hence, as per the
Australian Government Department of Health (2019), the nurse was unable to comply with the
teenage care legislation. Besides this, it was mentioned that the teenager going through the care
process should have the right to confidentiality so that they can share their complications.
However, in the process, it was mentioned that if while healthcare process, the nursing
professionals feel any complication or risk for the patient and their surroundings, they will
breach the confidentiality. Hence, as per Australian Government Department of Health (2019),
the nurse was able to maintain this legal; aspect of the care for Taylah and hence, made the care

5ESSAY ON ETHICAL PRINCIPLES
process legally complaint. The third and final legal aspect of healthcare for teenage patient is
making them responsible for their own healthcare and as per the Australian Government
Department of Health (2019), it was mentioned that she was given the opportunity to take part in
her care process, mention of her health complication and hence provided the nurse with the
ability to make choice about her healthcare complication. Hence, the Australian Government
Department of Health (2019) mentioned that involvement and providing the patient with
effective intervention to take part in the care process is an important aspect that was followed
and complied with in the care process of Taylah. Hence, it was mentioned that in the care
communication-related case study, the nurse was able to maintain the legal aspect of care
condition.
Conclusion
The four values mentioned above are non-hierarchical which implies that no one
overrules another usually. The principle of respect to autonomy refers to the right for an
individual to choose his/ her own decision. The principle of Beneficence refers to the principle of
acting on the other's best interests. The principle of Non- maleficence mainly refers to the no hurt
principle, as the Hippocratic Oath states. On the other hand, the principle of Justice refers to the
notion which emphasizes equity and equality between people. It's straightforward to comprehend
why the four ideals were so influential in medical ethics. The ethical values obviously
correspond to our moral standards and are instantly evident in their practical application in
ethical decision-making. The four concepts continue to be as helpful as when released over 30
years earlier as a conceptual structure, nevertheless, the discipline has altered dramatically during
this era. In this case situation analysis, all the ethical and legal aspects and the way this compiled
in the care process was mentioned in the care process.

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