title: An ethical model for decision-making.
abstract: The increasing social and technological complexity of health care is requiring health care providers to make many ethical decisions. This article presents a brief overview of selected ethical principles and theories, as well as several decision-making models. A 10-question model to assist the practitioner in assessing the moral aspects of an ethical dilemma is described and this model is applied to a clinical situation which involves the principles of confidentiality, autonomy, and prevention of harm.
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University College of Nursing, Detroit, Mich.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Bunting
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Webb
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003657:Decision Making; D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000451:nursing; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires