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Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice - 1 Essay

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Running head: ETHICAL FRAMEWORKS IN PRACTICE Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice Grand Canyon University NRS 437 V May 9, 2012 Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice Patient confidentiality is part of the Nursing Code of Ethics and it is a nurses’ duty to uphold confidentiality of patient information (American Nurses Association, 2012). However, there are certain situations in which a confidentiality breach is acceptable, such as when a patient voices harm to themselves or others and certain sexually transmitted diseases STDs). The following is a breakdown of the ethical implications of a breach of confidentiality, the ethical theory, the alternatives to breaching confidentiality using the framework of …show more content…

In utilitarianism, an action is correct if it brings the most balance of advantages over burdens, in other words, it is to provide the greatest benefit to the most number (Purtilo & Doherty, 2011). The nurse made the decision to breach confidentiality and inform the minors’ parents in order for her to obtain the medical care needed. If the parents were not informed, there would be the chance the minor would not get the care needed, do to consent issues, and the minor could die of cervical cancer. Although it was not ethical of the nurse to reveal the information to the school, one can argue that the information needed to be disclosed about the sex parties in order for the students to be educated on the potential risks this behavior carries. Alternatives to a Confidentiality Breach Using the Framework of Ethical Decision Making The model of ethical decision making presented by Uustal provides steps to reach a morally acceptable solution in an ethical dilemma (Grand Canyon University, 2012). The first step is to recognize the problem. The problem in the above referenced case was the nurse was not sure if she should breach confidentiality by informing the parents their child had cervical cancer and informing the school of the same. The second step is to identify ones’ own personal values as they relate to the identified problem. The nurse wanted to respect the minor patients’ rights, but felt the parents needed to be informed to help the patient get

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