Which of the following is NOT an ethical principle?

Appeared in: AIIMS BBSR SNO - 2019

Explanation

Efficiency is an operational or management concept focused on optimizing resources and productivity.
It is not a foundational moral guideline for professional conduct in nursing.
While an efficient healthcare system is desirable, the primary guides for a nurse's moral decisions are ethical principles like autonomy, justice, and veracity.

Option A: Autonomy is a fundamental ethical principle in nursing and healthcare.
Option C: Accountability is a core professional and ethical principle.
Option D: Veracity, or truth-telling, is a core ethical principle.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Core ethical principles in nursing as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding core ethical principles is mandatory for navigating complex clinical situations and making morally sound decisions in patient care.
These principles form the foundation of the nursing code of ethics and guide professional conduct, especially in dilemmas where patient values conflict with medical advice.
What if? If a competent patient with a treatable condition refuses life-saving treatment, the principle of autonomy requires the nurse to respect the patient's decision, even though it conflicts with the principle of beneficence (acting to benefit the patient). The nurse's role is to ensure the patient is fully informed, not to force treatment.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the negative keyword in the question: 'NOT'. This means you are looking for the option that does not fit with the others.
Next, recall the fundamental ethical principles taught in nursing (e.g., Autonomy, Beneficence, Non-maleficence, Justice, Fidelity, Veracity, Accountability).
Evaluate each option against this list of core principles.
Autonomy, Accountability, and Veracity are all recognized ethical principles.
Efficiency, while a positive attribute in a healthcare setting, is related to process and resource management, not a moral principle.
Therefore, select 'Efficiency' as the one that is NOT an ethical principle.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Core ethical principles in nursing
Stem keywords: ethical principle
Lead-in keywords: NOT
Negative lead-in flag: The question asks for the option that is NOT an ethical principle.

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 2 pp. 81-83, 70-72

E6 Nursing Education & Educational TechnologySuresh k Sharma (pp 21-557 of 572) p. 486-488

Practise the full AIIMS BBSR SNO - 2019

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.