Which statement accurately reflects ethical practice in nursing?

Which statement accurately reflects ethical practice in nursing?

• A. Nurses have autonomy in decision making and practice.
• B. Nurses must always follow physicians' orders without question.
• C. Ethics are not relevant to bedside nursing.
• D. A nurse's actions do not require accountability.

Answer: (A)

Ethical nursing practice rests on professional autonomy—the ability to use independent clinical judgment within your scope and standards while actively collaborating with patients, families, and the health team. This autonomy allows you to advocate for patients, ensure informed consent and confidentiality, and intervene when a plan of care is unsafe or unethical, rather than following orders blindly. At the same time, ethical care requires accountability—you are answerable for your actions to patients, employers, and the profession, guided by codes of ethics and legal obligations. Statements that imply nurses must always follow physicians’ orders without question, that ethics aren’t relevant to bedside care, or that a nurse’s actions aren’t accountable do not reflect ethical nursing practice.

Ethical nursing practice rests on professional autonomy—the ability to use independent clinical judgment within your scope and standards while actively collaborating with patients, families, and the health team. This autonomy allows you to advocate for patients, ensure informed consent and confidentiality, and intervene when a plan of care is unsafe or unethical, rather than following orders blindly. At the same time, ethical care requires accountability—you are answerable for your actions to patients, employers, and the profession, guided by codes of ethics and legal obligations. Statements that imply nurses must always follow physicians’ orders without question, that ethics aren’t relevant to bedside care, or that a nurse’s actions aren’t accountable do not reflect ethical nursing practice.