Ethical and Legal Issues Essay Example for Free

Ethical and Legal Issues Essay Nurses make legal and ethical decisions when caring for patients; decisions that need to be made carefully because the decisions could possibly change a patients life. There are theories to explain how to problem solve ethically and the theories are not based on emotion (Guido, 2006). This paper will discuss the relationship between legal and ethical issues and ethical theories, examples will be provided. Ethics can be described as principles and standards that are a guide to conduct used to elevate the standard of compliance (Judson Harrison, 2010). Ethics is derived from the Greek word ethos ethics explains actions as right or wrong in respect to cultural principles and values. Moral values are personal beliefs that are intertwined with ethical actions and behaviors (Guido, 2006). Ethics, similar to values, are individualistic and they come from our experiences, culture and actions. While ones values or moral ethics may be different, the nurses ability to conform to a patients ethical behavior is important (The VA leads change toward Integrated Ethics approach, 2008). The legal system was created to establish policies to protect the public (Judson Harrison, 2010). The laws that are set can be changed when evidence suggests amendments are necessary. The relationship between law and ethics is apparent when discussing a patients healthcare decision that goes against the norms or beliefs of the healthcare provider. An example would be the patient exercising his or her right to refuse treatment for a disease process that will result in imminent death, such as a patient in renal failure refusing dialysis (Guido, 2008). Shannon (2008) discussed the differences of legal and ethical decisions as morally ordinary and extraordinary treatment related to the provision of assisted nutrition and hydration, particularly for patients in a permanent vegetative state (p.894). Metaethics is a nonnormative ethic that attempts to describe the implication between moral concepts or statements and the justification of why something is regarded good or ethically correct. Normative ethics understand standards of behavior and application of these behaviors in life. Normative ethicsbranch out into two broad categories called deontological and teleogical theories (Guido, 2006). Deontological theories focus on the intended action not the consequences of ones actions (Guido, 2006). The theory focuses on the dignity and sense of duty of the individuals and finds the relationship between the person and the action. Deontological theories are divided into two subcategories; act deontology and rule deontology. Guido (2006) states that act deontology is based on the personal moral values of the person making the ethical decision, whereas rule deontology is based on the belief that certain standards for ethical decisions transcend the individuals moral values (p. 4). Teleological theories are based on the simple concept, right actions have good consequences and bad actions have bad consequences. This theory suggests the act of right or wrong is directly related to the consequence of the action. Utilitarianism stems off of teleogical theories, explains that consequences count and acts are determined by the consequence. Some utilitarians believe that the moral rightness of a consequence is determined by the greatest number of good or the least harm and suffering (Guido, 2006). Considering the moral rightness is based on greatest number to benefit from the greatest good, actions based on the utilitarianism theory can often be unethical and illegal. Nurses in acute care settings are faced daily with ethical issues and concerns. Shannon (2008) examines the terms morally ordinary and extraordinary in respect to patients in a permanent vegetative state (p. 894). It is thought if we can keep the body alive we should, capacity generated obligation but there is a compromise in human dignity, making this both a legal and ethical dilemma (Shannon, 2008, p. 894). Euthanasia and end of life care often cause a lot of animosity, as they have been distorted by general public. Shannon (2008) states, Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expect outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal  of over-zealous treatment (p. 898). This statement defines euthanasia in its most accepted form withdrawal of treatment. This makes the act legal, but is it ethical to withdraw treatment that was started to sustain life, knowing that the result ends in death?Another example of an ethical issue in an acute care setting is preserving organs for donation in a patient who is pronounced dead following a cardiac event. Organ donation is a personal choice that can be expressed though written consent by the donor. Although, if there is no documentation of the patients wishes, family members have to make the decision in the event of unexpected death. Is it legal and ethical to maintain the body of a patient who has died in order to keep the organs viable while waiting for the familys decision (Bonnie, Wright, Dineen, 2008)?When a patient has been declared dead according to neurological criteria hospitals will maintain organ viability while awaiting family decision about donation. Procedures are started post-mortem by a transplant team to determine candidacy for donation. Medications are started and additional lines are inserted. All of which are done after the patient is declared dead. This is legal in many states, in fact there is a statute called the immunity clause to protect the health care workers from any liability, but is it ethical (Bonnie, Wright, Dineen, 2008)? According to Bonnie, Wright, and Dineen (2008), Organ preservation in cases of uncontrolled cardiac death violates no legally protected interest of the family members. It does not constitute mutilation of the body and falls comfortably within the general principle that hospitals have no duty to deliver corpses to families in their exact condition of death (p.744). Consider this statement and place an ethical emphasis on your thought process. Healthcare workers are not legally bound to deliver the bodies of their loved ones in the exact condition of their death. In conclusion, through cultural norms, behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes the ethical behaviors of healthcare workers are analyzed. The governing bodies of healthcare such as the American Nurses Association and the American Medical Association mandate healthcare workers to uphold ethical values in his or her practice. The legal system maintains the right to investigate and examine decisions made by healthcare practitioners when decisions appear unethical or perhaps unlawful. The various ethical theories provide  direction for healthcare practitioners and ethics review boards with decision-making processes. References Bonnie, R., Wright, S. Dineen, K. (2008). Legal authority to preserve organs in cases of uncontrolled cardiac death: preserving family choice. Retrieved April 29, 2009, from EbscoHost Database. Guido, G. W. (2006). Legal and ethical issues in nursing (4 ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. Judson, K. Harrison, C. (2010). Law and ethics for medical careers (5th ed). New York,NY: McGraw-Hill. Shannon, T. (2008). Unbind him and let him go: Ethical issues in the determination of proportionate and disproportionate treatment. Theological Studies, 69, 894-917. Retrieved April 29, 2009, from MasterFILE Premier database. The VA leads change toward Integrated Ethics approach. (Cover story). (2008, December). Medical Ethics Advisor, Retrieved May 1, 2009, from Academic Search Complete database.

The Wife of Bath Essay -- Essays Papers

The Wife of Bath Historical Background One of the most memorable pilgrims of The Canterbury Tales, as well as one of the most memorable women in literature, is the Wife of Bath. She is a "lusty and domineering" woman who is proud of and outspoken about her sexuality and believes that a woman should have sovereignty in a marriage (Norton 80). She is also extremely blunt and outspoken about her ideas and beliefs. Despite being a woman of the fourteenth century, her ideas, beliefs, and behavior are more like those of the twentieth century. For these reasons, she seems true to life even today. However, her ideas, beliefs, and behavior are not at all representative of the women of her time. Women in the Middle Ages had more freedom compared to women in the Anglo-Saxon period. However, women in the Middle Ages were still considered to be dependent on men. In the medieval period, most women were not formally educated. They did not have the right to own property, to express themselves freely and openly or to make their own decisi ons. They did not have a lot of freedom and choice, and were not treated as equal to men. In the Anglo-Saxon period women were generally identified by marital or sexual status. In "Caedmon's Hymn," as told by Bede, Abbess Hilda is an exception, because despite being a woman, she is the head of and rules over the monastery. In Beowulf, the tragic story of Hildeburh suggests that women were not warriors in the Anglo-Saxon culture and period. They were there to support their husbands and cook, clean, and give birth. In the house as well as in the society men were given much more importance and were favored over women. In the Anglo-Saxon period marriages were often arranged for political reasons to settle fe... ...ed subordinate and dependent on men. Today women are treated more as equal to men. However, things are still not perfect. There is still a lot that needs to be changed. Works Cited Abrams, M. H. et al. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Vol. 1. Sixth Edition. New York: W.W. Norton, & Co. 1993. 76-144. Benson. Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales. February 1997. October 24, 1998. Online. Internet. Available http: icg.harvard.edu/~eng115b/ Bobr, Janet. Welcome to Camelot. 1998. October 24, 1998. Online. Internet. Available http: www.csis.pace.edu/grendel/prjs3f/arthur1.htm Canterbury Tales. 1998. November 30, 1998. Online. Internet. Available http: userzweb.lightspeed.net/~cheezit/pilgrims/index.html Jokinen, Anniina. Geoffrey Chaucer (ca. 1343-1400). July 1996. October 24, 1998. Online. Internet. Available http: www.luminarium.org/medlit/chaucer.htm

Chemistry Study Guide Acids and Alkalis

Interactive Science 2B Chapter Summary | | Chapter 10 ComMon Acids and Alkalis 10. 1 Acids and Alkalis 1. Acids taste sour. Many fruits contain acids. 2. The three mineral acids commonly found in the laboratory are hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid and nitric acid. 3. Alkalis taste bitter and feel soapy or slippery. 4. The common alkalis found in the laboratory are sodium hydroxide solution, potassium hydroxide solution, calcium hydroxide solution and ammonia solution. 0. 2 Acid-Alkali Indicators 1. An acid-alkali indicator shows different colours in acids and alkalis. It can be used to test acids and alkalis. 2. Natural indicators can be made from some deeply coloured plants. 3. Acids turn blue litmus paper red whereas alkalis turn red litmus paper blue. Distilled water does not change the colour of litmus paper. It is a neutral substance. 4. The pH value shows the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a substance. 5. The pH value of a substance can be measured by using universal indic ator, pH paper or a pH meter. 6.Low pH values mean high acidity (or low alkalinity). 7. High pH values mean high alkalinity (or low acidity). 8. Substances with pH values < 7 :acidic; pH values = 7 :neutral; pH values > 7:alkaline. 10. 3 Acids and Corrosion 1. Dilute acids react with some metals and produce hydrogen. 2. Test for hydrogen: Put a burning splint near the mouth of a test tube containing the gas. If the gas is hydrogen, it burns with a ‘pop' sound. 3. The rate of reaction of some metals with dilute hydrochloric acid or dilute sulphuric acid: maznesium > zinc> iron > copper (no reaction) . Carbonates react with acids and give carbon dioxide. 5. Marble and limestone mainly contain calcium carbonate. They are used as building materials and they can be corroded by acids. 10. 4 Safety Related to the Use of Acids and Alkalis 1. Strong acids / alkalis are corrosive. Weak acids / alkalis are generally less corrosive. 2. Dilute acids / alkalis contain a low percentage of ac ids / alkalis. Concentrated acids / alkalis contain a high percentage of acids / alkalis. 3. Concentrated strong acids and alkalis are highly corrosive. 4. Safety measure in handling strong acids and alkalis |Reason | |(a) Stick the hazard warning label ‘corrosive ‘ on the surface|To warn users about the corrosive property of the chemicals. | |of the container. | | |(b) Wear safety spectacles. |To prevent the acids and alkalis from getting into the eyes. | |(c) Put on protective gloves. |To prevent our skin from contact with the acids or alkalis. | |(d) Wear laboratory coat. |To prevent damage of clothing and body. |(e) Work in a fume cupboard. |To prevent vapours of the acids or alkalis from irritating our| | |eyes and respiratory system. | 5. To dilute a concentrated acid or alkali, always add it slowly to a large amount of water with stirring. Never pour water into a concentrated acid or alkali. 6. The first step in treating acid or alkali spillage on our body is to w ash with plenty of water. 10. 5 Acid Rain 1. Clean or normal rain has a pH value of 5. 6. 2. Acid rain has a pH value lower than 5. 6. 3. Practice test:Â  answer keyAcid rain is mainly caused by the acidic pollutant gases sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. 4. The main sources of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in the air are motor vehicles, power stations and factories. 5. Acid rain may ? corrode structures made of metals, marble and limestone, ? kill fish and plants in lakes and rivers, and ? slow down plant growth and even kill plants. 6. The government, industries and citizens should work together to reduce the release of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which cause acid rain. 10. 6 Neutralisation 1. An alkali and an acid can neutralise each other. . Neutralisation occurs when an alkali is mixed with an acid until the resulting solution becomes neutral (pH = 7). 3. When an acid is neutralised with an alkali, a salt and water are formed. The word equation for neutralisation is: Alkali + Acid (Salt + Water 4. Antacids are weak alkalis used to neutralise excess acid in the stomach. 5. Weak acids, such as eth anoic acid in vinegar, can be used to neutralise the alkaline stings of wasps. 6. Weak alkalis, such as baking soda (sodium hydrogencarbonate), can be used to neutralise the acidic stings or bites of bees, ants and mosquitoes. . Weak alkalis, such as slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) and powdered limestone, can be added to acidic soil to raise the pH for plant growth. 8. Acids in industrial wastes can be neutralised by adding alkalis such as sodium hydroxide, while alkalis can be neutralised by adding acids such as sulphuric acid. 10. 7 Daily Uses of Acids and Alkalis 1. Acids and alkalis can be used in cleaners to remove stains and grease. 2. Acids such as ethanoic acid can be used to preserve food. 3. Acids can be used to prevent the browning of fruits. ———————– [pic] [pic]

Collective Identity Within The Gay Community And Women s...

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