Professional Ethics Case Study

Kozier and Erb's (2015) refer to veracity as telling the truth. Sometimes the nurse is left in a dilemma whether to tell the patient the truth. The nurse is left with the question whether, to tell the truth which may cause anxiety or a lie that is likely to relieve anxiety and fear? In reality lying to the sick persons would rarely justify. It is important that the nurse to weigh any benefit derived from telling lies to the patient versus the loss of trust the patient can have the nurse and the anxiety caused by not knowing the truth
Confidentiality involves not divulging to others privilege information entrusted to one without good judgment except in a situation where divulging the information will help solve the problem of the client. In

These can either be formal or informal moral responsibilities of a particular profession and are shared only by its members.
Members not only agree to subscribe to the ethical codes to govern their conduct but also monitor other members of the profession to ensure conformity to them as well. Failure to conform may earn the individual a dismissal from the profession or

According to Fowler et al., (2002) the pledge was formulated based on the subservient nature of nursing that was operational at the time. Because it no longer has social relevance to the 21st-century context of nursing, it was replaced by what is now known as the Nurses‟ Pledge which is recited by students of most schools of nursing either at the beginning or at the completion of their training. The Nurses' Pledge "In the full knowledge of the obligation I am undertaking, I promise to care for the sick with all the skill and understanding I possess, without regard to race, creed, colour, politics or social status, sparing no effort to conserve life, to alleviate suffering and promote health". "I will respect at all times the dignity and religious beliefs of the patients under my care, holding in confidence all personal information entrusted to me, and refraining from any action which endangers life or health". The nurses also endeavor to maintain the highest level of professional knowledge and skills and to give loyal support and cooperation to the members of health team. I will do my utmost to honor and uphold the integrity of the nurse (Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, 2001). In agreement with this ideal, the American Nurses Association took the lead in 1950 by adopting, for the first time, an elaborate code of ethics for nurses revised