It is critical that as Nurse Practitioners we need the skills necessary to identify, address and assess ethical issues as they arise in the daily care that we provide to our patients. End of life issues are growing as the population ages. We need to learn how to have a better conversation with our patients and our family. Confidentiality is an ethical and legal issue. Keeping information about a patient is a way of showing respect. HIPPA law defines exactly what information can be released and to whom. As health care practitioners we all face the risk of being sued for malpractice. As seen some health care professional practice defensive medicine for example ordering a CT Scan primarily to ensure that the patient cannot allege negligence. This
