The ANA (American Nurses Association) and the CNA (Canadian Nurses Ass

The ANA (American Nurses Association) and the CNA (Canadian Nurses Association) have each adopted a code of ethics. Which of the following describes characteristics of a code of ethics?

1. Formal statement.
2. Same standards as legal standards.
3. Shared by group members.
4. Reflects legal judgments.
5. Serves as a standard for professional actions.

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 1,3,5
Rationale 1: A code of ethics is a formal statement of a group’s ideals and values. It is a set of ethical principles that (a) are shared by members of the group, (b) reflect their moral (not legal) judgments over time, and (c) serve as a standard for their professional actions.
Rationale 2: Codes of ethics usually have higher requirements than do legal standards of a profession.
Rationale 3: A code of ethics is shared by members of the group.
Rationale 4: A code of ethics reflects moral (not legal) judgments over time.
Rationale 5: A code of ethics serves as a standard for professional actions.