Legal Ethical
The advancement of science and technology has brought about many changes in the heath care systems resulting in a need for morals and values to govern theses changes. Bioethics are a set of practice-based ethics, that came about in the 1970’s, that have the purpose of enhancing the benefits available through the health care system ( Husted 2001). Since nursing has also advanced from the nuns at the local infirmary to an actual paid professions in a hospital, they must act as professionals. A professional acts with concern because without concern, one cannot be a professional (Husted 2001). In nursing, there are principles and ethics that are followed, these include: veracity, justice and fidelity. In this paper these principles will all be examined along with the idea of paternalism. Veracity is the duty of the nurse to tell the truth (Zerwekh 1997). This is not always easy considering the situations in real life are nothing like the textbook situations. For example: Mr. H had recently joined his company’s health maintenance organization (HMO) plan. At 39 years of age, he felt healthy but, the HMO asked him to come in for a routine intake physical examination. After the routine history and physical examination were completed by Dr. W, Mr. H was asked to move to a room down the hall where nurse S would take an electrocardiogram (EKG).