title: Beneficence and autonomy in nursing. A moral dilemma.
abstract: Nurses frequently have to make decisions which require moral judgements, influenced by the ethical standards expected of the profession. They have a duty of care, promoting good, and minimising harm, whilst acting in the patients' best interests. In complicated situations it is not uncommon to wonder whether further ethical consideration is pertinent before a decision or action is made.
authors.affiliation: Singleton Hospital, Swansea.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kennedy
mesh_terms: D026686:Beneficence; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003657:Decision Making / Q000941:ethics; D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000941:ethics; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D026706:Paternalism / Q000941:ethics; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000941:ethics* / Q000523:psychology; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D010819:Physician's Role / Q000523:psychology