The Patient Self-Determination Act: the ethical dimensions

Advanced, sophisticated technology, rising health care costs, and consumerism all combined to drive the development of the Patient Self-Determination Act. Ethical implications include, but are not limited, to the principles of autonomy and beneficence. Paternalism is also discussed as a compromise to autonomy. Caring is used to focus on the contextual perspective of both patients and nurses for ethical decision making. Implications for future ethical practice conclude the discussion.