brought in for pneumonia (or diarrhea )? How was a diahetic pregnant woman cared for during the prerwtal check--up? Etc. A-l least once a month, a nursin~ audit can be conducted on randomly selected client records. This implies th:11 Lhcre has to be a good documentation of what nurses do to their clients. ETHICOLEGAL CONSIDERATIONS One of the majorc:. :hal lcnges in 11ursingma nagemen L is the pro,;sionofane nvironment that is cond11civ£' I 11 <I hic;1l ;1 nd lc:gal practice. 11. thical pnii:tice means providing quality cnre to clients rc:,~arcllcss of lheir social clas. ~ and hcliefs (political and religious), respecting tl1e rights of c:lii. :111s ;ind nrnintainini; confidentialit y 0f informati on. It also includes hchavinl!. in a m;inncr crmsisu. :nt "7th the values and norms of the community, professional cudc. o..;,,rel Ilk:-. (::,ud1 as the P::'. '-i A Code for Nurses). Legal practice means that nurses work in :in. :onlance with the Nursing I. aw and for those in government, lows such lhc Civil :-;c,,;ct: I ~,w (PD 807), Magna Carta Qf Public Health Workers (RA 7:305) anu Code r Jf Conduct and Elhical Standards for Government Officials and Employees (RA 6713). R,\ 6713 provides that.. public officials and employees shall at all times be accountable to Lhe people and shall disch. trge their duties with utmost responsibility. integrity, competence and loyalty. act c,·ith patriotism and justice, lead modest lives, and uphold public interest over pcr"om1l intercs C. PHNs should be guided by these values and principles at all times. Etl1ical nursini:t pr. icticc b a choice thal PHNs make every day. Thus, they should ask themselv es t. he folh,--;ni:; 4uestiont; (among others): Do I ~o to work on time? Do I go home on time or until all the clients were atti:nd. :d to? Do I make good useofmytimewhenlamat,.,,ork? Do 1 hnvc tl ~ood system that lessens the waiting time of clients? Do l attend to those who c. 1mc first or those whose problems need more urgent :iltcntion? Do I I real c Jients fairly and eq_ually regardless of the-ir social or personal circn mstanccs? Do I l rcat infon1ialion from clients confidentially? Do r n:spct. :l my clients' values and beliefs? Do 1-respecttheir decisions on molters related lo health care? Do 1 ndvoc:nt..: for policies that positively impact on people's health? Do 1 spe. 1k on their behalf ifl need to? Do 1 support them when theys:peakup for themselv~? Do I follow nursiog and progrnm standards in delh:eri:ng services to dients? Do I nse resources appropriat ely and efficiently? Am I fair in nllocating or distributing resources (medical supplies and medicines) to clients? Do I shuw respect in my dealings ";th other people? Do 1 lionor the promises and commitments that I make? Do I use my influence to benefit my unit and client:;? Am 1 good role model in health? Do I practice what I preach?. Am Ian asset to my profes. sion? Am r truthful and honest in my reports? TI1e PHN should be guided by the Civil Service Law which de. does the standards 429 