Professional Ethics
Professional Ethics - what the exam tests
This domain tests the code of professional conduct, informed consent, confidentiality, accountability, the legal boundaries of the vocational nurse's practice, and negligence.
Core rules
- Code of ethics (Indian Nursing Council): respect for life and dignity, non-discrimination, competence, confidentiality, accountability and collaboration with the health team.
- Informed consent requires capacity, adequate information (nature, benefits, risks, alternatives) and voluntariness; the doctor performing the procedure takes it. For a minor under 18, a parent or guardian consents.
- Confidentiality covers all patient information; lawful exceptions include notifiable diseases, court orders and protecting a third party from serious harm.
- Scope of practice: a vocational nurse works under supervision, performs procedures within trained competence and must never take over a doctor's task or exceed a delegation.
- Negligence requires duty, breach of duty, causation and damage. Documentation is the legal record of care.
Worked example
A patient's relative asks, 'What is her HIV report?' You know the result but the patient has not consented to disclosure. Correct action: politely decline, explain that results are shared by the treating doctor with the patient's consent, and offer to arrange a meeting with the doctor. Reasoning: confidentiality is both a professional duty and a legal obligation; disclosing without consent can amount to a breach of privacy, while a rude refusal damages trust.
Traps that cost marks
- Discussing a patient in a lift, corridor or on social media.
- Taking consent for a surgical procedure yourself, or from a minor.
- Signing for a colleague's care, or altering a record after the event.
- Confusing euthanasia with withdrawal of futile treatment; the nurse's role is to advocate for the patient.