Non-maleficence

Definition

Non-maleficence is the ethical principle in healthcare that emphasizes the obligation to not inflict harm intentionally. It serves as a foundational concept in nursing, guiding practitioners to make decisions that prioritize patient safety and well-being. This principle connects deeply with how nurses approach ethical decision-making, navigate common dilemmas in practice, and uphold the standards of professionalism in their roles.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Non-maleficence is one of the four core ethical principles in healthcare, alongside beneficence, autonomy, and justice.
2. In nursing practice, non-maleficence involves carefully weighing the potential risks and benefits of any intervention or treatment.
3. This principle often requires nurses to advocate for patient safety by avoiding treatments or actions that could cause harm.
4. The application of non-maleficence can sometimes conflict with other ethical principles, such as autonomy when a patient's choice may lead to harm.
5. Non-maleficence is critical when navigating complex ethical dilemmas, such as end-of-life care decisions where harm vs. benefit must be balanced.

Review Questions

• How does non-maleficence influence ethical decision-making models used by nurses?
  • Non-maleficence plays a crucial role in ethical decision-making models by serving as a guiding principle that ensures nurses prioritize patient safety and minimize harm. When faced with a dilemma, nurses must evaluate potential risks and outcomes of their actions against the backdrop of this principle. It urges them to critically assess whether an intervention is worth the risk involved, thereby shaping the way they arrive at ethical conclusions.
• What are some common ethical dilemmas in nursing that highlight the importance of non-maleficence?
  • Common ethical dilemmas include situations such as administering medications that have severe side effects or making decisions about resuscitation efforts for terminally ill patients. In these scenarios, nurses must balance their commitment to do no harm with their duty to provide beneficial care. These dilemmas require careful consideration of both the immediate and long-term consequences of their actions on patient well-being.
• Evaluate how adherence to non-maleficence enhances professionalism in nursing practice.
  • Adherence to non-maleficence enhances professionalism by reinforcing trust between nurses and their patients. When nurses commit to not causing harm, they demonstrate integrity and accountability, which are essential elements of professional practice. This principle also fosters an environment where ethical considerations guide clinical judgments, promoting a culture of safety and respect within healthcare settings that ultimately benefits patient care.

Related terms

Beneficence:

The ethical principle that requires healthcare providers to act in the best interest of the patient by promoting good and preventing harm.

Autonomy:

The ethical principle that respects a patient's right to make informed decisions about their own healthcare and treatment.

Ethical Principles:

The foundational guidelines, including autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice, that inform moral decision-making in healthcare.