Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

The steps of the ethical decision-making process are similar to which process?

1. Healthy People 2010

2. Deontology

3. The nursing process

4. Advocacy

The correct answer is: The nursing process

The correct answer highlights that the steps of the ethical decision-making process align closely with the nursing process. The nursing process is a systematic, patient-centered approach that involves assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. This structured methodology is designed to ensure comprehensive care, which is essential for making informed ethical decisions in nursing practice. Just like the nursing process, the ethical decision-making process involves assessing the situation, gathering relevant information, considering alternatives, and evaluating the outcomes of different courses of action. Both processes require critical thinking and a focus on the needs and welfare of individuals, which is paramount in public health nursing. This alignment emphasizes the importance of a methodical approach to both ethical dilemmas and patient care, ensuring that all factors are considered when making decisions that can affect health and well-being. In contrast, Healthy People 2010 is a public health initiative focused on improving health outcomes nationwide and does not directly pertain to the ethical decision-making framework. Deontology, as an ethical theory, emphasizes rules and duties, but does not encapsulate the step-wise, practical approach seen in the nursing process. Advocacy involves supporting and representing the needs of individuals or communities but is not a procedural method like the nursing process or ethical decision-making.