In which situation would a practical nurse use a code of ethics to guide practice?

In which situation would a practical nurse use a code of ethics to guide practice?

• A. A practical nurse needs information on how to reposition a client after hip replacement
• B. An informal caregiver and neighbour is curious and asks for details about the client's care
• C. A unit coordinator does not allow practical nurses to work to their full scope of practice on the surgical unit
• D. A practical nurse has not worked previously with unregulated care provider (UCPs) and requires assistance on how best to delegate tasks to UCPs

Answer: (B)

Code of ethics guides how you handle privacy, consent, and professional boundaries in all interactions with clients and those involved in their care. When an informal caregiver asks for details about a client’s care, you apply ethical principles to determine what information can be shared, ensuring you protect the client’s confidentiality and obtain the appropriate consent or authorization before disclosing information. This keeps the patient’s rights intact while acknowledging the caregiver’s role in support. The other scenarios relate more to clinical procedures, workplace policy about scope of practice, or delegation rules, rather than the ethical guidance on privacy and consent.

Code of ethics guides how you handle privacy, consent, and professional boundaries in all interactions with clients and those involved in their care. When an informal caregiver asks for details about a client’s care, you apply ethical principles to determine what information can be shared, ensuring you protect the client’s confidentiality and obtain the appropriate consent or authorization before disclosing information. This keeps the patient’s rights intact while acknowledging the caregiver’s role in support. The other scenarios relate more to clinical procedures, workplace policy about scope of practice, or delegation rules, rather than the ethical guidance on privacy and consent.