Ethics Case Studies

Case Study 1:

1. Is the situation described an ethical issue? Or is it a business dispute?

a. This situation is an ethical issue. The RDN did not disclose private information from the
client to other healthcare professionals even though it would benefit the client to be
referred out to a mental health professional.
2. What principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why?
a. Autonomy - RDNs are required to disclose any potential harm to the client
3. Indicate the Category for the Code of Ethics:
a. Responsibilities to the client, responsibilities to colleagues and other professionals.
4. Indicate the Principle(s) of the Code of Ethics:
a. Autonomy
5. Explain how/why this relates to the Category and Principle:
a. The RDN has a responsibility to help the client to the best of their abilities, even if that
means referring them out to another professional who can help them with their issue
better than they can. It is also a responsibility to inform other healthcare team members of
issues with the client so that they can do their job to the best of their abilities as well -
maybe the issue the client is having conflicts with their care as well.

Case Study 2:

1. I​ s the situation described an ethical issue? Or is it a business dispute?

a. It is an ethical issue because there is dishonesty
2. What principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why?
a. Autonomy - report inappropriate behavior, provide accurate information
3. ​Indicate the Category for the Code of Ethics:
a. Fundamental principles
4. Indicate the Principle(s) of the Code of Ethics:
a. Autonomy
5. Explain how/why this relates to the Category and Principle:
a. Fundamental principles apply to this case study because RDNs must conduct themselves
with honesty, integrity, and fairness.

Case Study 3:

1. I​ s the situation described an ethical issue? Or is it a business dispute?

a. Ethical issue
2. What principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why?
a. Autonomy - the RDN was not adhering to the needs of the client, but instead was only
thinking about their own desires for the client
3. Indicate the Category for the Code of Ethics:
a. Responsibilities to the client
 4. I​ ndicate the Principle(s) of the Code of Ethics:
a. Autonomy
5. Explain how/why this relates to the Category and Principle:
a. Responsibilities to the client - because the RDN is not adapting to the client’s needs, in
fact, they seem to be ignoring them, which is going to have no benefits to the client at all
- autonomy means working in a way that benefits the client

Case Study 4:

1. I​ s the situation described an ethical issue? Or is it a business dispute?

a. Ethical
2. What principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why?
a. Autonomy - because RDNs are require to respect property rights including recognition
and citation of others work, which the RDN in this case study did not do
3. Indicate the Category for the Code of Ethics:
a. Responsibility to other health professionals
4. ​Indicate the Principle(s) of the Code of Ethics:
a. Autonomy
5. Explain how/why this relates to the Category and Principle:
a. Responsibility to other health professionals - because the RDN did not properly site / give
credit to the work of another professional and essentially took credit for something they
did not do

Case Study 5:

1. I​ s the situation described an ethical issue? Or is it a business dispute?

a. Business
2. What principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why?
a. Autonomy - disclose any conflicts of interest
3. Indicate the Category for the Code of Ethics:
a. Responsibility to the public
4. Indicate the Principle(s) of the Code of Ethics:
a. Autonomy
5. Explain how/why this relates to the Category and Principle:
a. Responsibility to the public - the RDN is required to disclose any conflicts that the
company / drug may have and do extensive research on the product before they are
ethically able to promote it - do not want to give the public the wrong idea of a product,
especially to the people it is being marketed to

Case Study 6:

1. I​ s the situation described an ethical issue? Or is it a business dispute?

a. Ethical
2. What principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why?
 a. Autonomy - the RDN is not working with the needs of the client and they are also
pushing their own ​personal bias​ on the client which is not to be tolerated in the
profession
3. Indicate the Category for the Code of Ethics:
a. Responsibility to the client
4. ​Indicate the Principle(s) of the Code of Ethics:
a. Autonomy - omit personal bias
5. Explain how/why this relates to the Category and Principle:
a. Responsibility to the client - the RDN is not considering the financial situation or the
specific needs of the client in this case

Case Study 7:

1. I​ s the situation described an ethical issue? Or is it a business dispute?

a. Ethical
2. What principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why?
a. autonomy- act in a caring and respectful manner, mindful of individual differences
b. Beneficence - demonstrate respect and constructive dialogue with clients
3. Indicate the Category for the Code of Ethics:
a. Responsibility to the client
4. Indicate the Principle(s) of the Code of Ethics:
a. autonomy, beneficence
5. Explain how/why this relates to the Category and Principle:
a. Responsibility to client - demonstrating constructive dialogue with the client is essential
to their benefit of the sessions; if it is not present, the client will hesitate to return and will
not gain anything from the RDN

Case Study 8:

1. I​ s the situation described an ethical issue? Or is it a business dispute?

a. Ethical
2. What principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why?
a. Autonomy - maintain and use appropriate credentials
3. Indicate the Category for the Code of Ethics:
a. Responsibility to the public and responsibility to the profession
4. ​Indicate the Principle(s) of the Code of Ethics:
a. Autonomy
5. Explain how/why this relates to the Category and Principle:
a. Responsibility to the public and responsibility to the profession - the RDN was
(unintentionally) lying to the public about being licensed and expressing having a
credential that they did not actually hold. This is a lie to the public and to the profession,
especially those who actually did obtain their licensure
Case Study 9:

1. I​ s the situation described an ethical issue? Or is it a business dispute?

a. Ethical
2. What principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why?
a. Beneficence - RDNs are required to refrain from communicating false, fraudulent,
deceptive, misleading, disparaging or unfair statements or claims.
3. Indicate the Category for the Code of Ethics:
a. Responsibility to the public and fundamental principles
4. ​Indicate the Principle(s) of the Code of Ethics:
a. Beneficence
5. Explain how/why this relates to the Category and Principle:
a. Responsibility to the public and fundamental principles - if she endorses these products
that she does not actually approve of just for the benefits, she would be displaying false
advertising / information to the public and therefore being dishonest with her advice for
her own personal gain

Case Study 10:

1. I​ s the situation described an ethical issue? Or is it a business dispute?

a. Ethical
2. What principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why?
a. Autonomy - the DTR could potentially be seen as taking a bribe from the support group
3. ​Indicate the Category for the Code of Ethics:
a. Responsibility to the public
4. Indicate the Principle(s) of the Code of Ethics:
a. Autonomy
5. Explain how/why this relates to the Category and Principle:
a. Responsibility to the public - the DTR could be falsely advertising due to the acceptance
of a bribe

Case Study 11:

1. I​ s the situation described an ethical issue? Or is it a business dispute?

a. Ethical
2. What principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why?
a. Autonomy - disclose any conflicts of interest (financial interests / gains)
3. Indicate the Category for the Code of Ethics:
a. Responsibility to the profession
4. ​Indicate the Principle(s) of the Code of Ethics:
a. Autonomy
5. Explain how/why this relates to the Category and Principle:
 a. Responsibility to profession - RDNs are not allowed to accept any for of gift, even if it is
for educational purposes

Case Study 12:

1. I​ s the situation described an ethical issue? Or is it a business dispute?

a. Business - the client did not uphold their end of the bargain but the RDN does not have
the right to take the funds from them without their consent
2. What principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why?
a. Autonomy - RDNs are required to report inappropriate behavior, such as refraining from
paying what is owed
3. Indicate the Category for the Code of Ethics:
a. Responsibility to the client
4. Indicate the Principle(s) of the Code of Ethics:
a. Autonomy
5. Explain how/why this relates to the Category and Principle:
a. Responsibility to the client - when a conflict arises with a client, it is the RDN’s job to
come up with a solution together with the client or another team member rather than just
solving the issue on their own accord.

Case Study 13:

1. I​ s the situation described an ethical issue? Or is it a business dispute?

a. Ethical
2. What principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why?
a. Non-maleficence - the RDN posting the misinformation is not practicing the use of
evidence based information
b. Beneficence - refrain from communicating false information or advertising
3. Indicate the Category for the Code of Ethics:
a. Responsibility to the public
b. Responsibility to the profession
4. Indicate the Principle(s) of the Code of Ethics:
a. Non-maleficence and beneficence
5. Explain how/why this relates to the Category and Principle:
a. Responsibility to the public and the profession - the RDN posting the misinformation, by
not using the evidence based approach, is lying to the public and soiling the reputation of
the profession.

Case Study 14:

1. I​ s the situation described an ethical issue? Or is it a business dispute?

a. Ethical
2. What principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why?
 a. Non-maleficence - the RDN did not assess the validity and applicability of scientific
evidence without personal bias and they used that personal bias to persuade the
committee to go forth with the new protocol by only presenting information in its favor
and not any opposed to it. The RDN is intentionally leaving out valuable information on
the decision of the protocol
3. ​Indicate the Category for the Code of Ethics:
a. Responsibility to the profession
4. ​Indicate the Principle(s) of the Code of Ethics:
a. Non maleficence
5. Explain how/why this relates to the Category and Principle:
a. Responsibility to the profession - RDNs must make all their professional decisions
without bias in order to uphold the ideals of the profession and to make the most accurate
decisions they can

Case Study 15:

1. I​ s the situation described an ethical issue? Or is it a business dispute?

a. Ethical
2. What principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why?
a. Non maleficence - RDNs must recognize and exercise professional judgement within the
profession and therefore, bot practice when their consciousness has been compromised
3. Indicate the Category for the Code of Ethics:
a. Responsibility to clients
4. Indicate the Principle(s) of the Code of Ethics:
a. Non maleficence
5. Explain how/why this relates to the Category and Principle:
a. Responsibility of clients - the RDN owes it to their clients to be of sound mind and body
while practicing, and most importantly attentive to the client’s needs during sessions
Case Study 16:

1. I​ s the situation described an ethical issue? Or is it a business dispute?

a. Ethical
2. What principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why?
a. Non maleficence - the RDN must practice using an evidence-based approach within areas
of competence, continuously develop and enhance expertise, and recognize limitations.
3. ​Indicate the Category for the Code of Ethics:
a. Responsibility to the client
4. Indicate the Principle(s) of the Code of Ethics:
a. Non maleficence
5. Explain how/why this relates to the Category and Principle:
a. Responsibility to the client - In this case study, the RDN is not practicing these principles
of this category: The dietetics practitioner protects confidential information and makes
full disclosure about any limitations on his or her ability. The dietetics practitioner
 respects the client’s right to make decisions regarding the recommended plan of care,
including consent, modification, or refusal.

Case Study 17:

1. I​ s the situation described an ethical issue? Or is it a business dispute?

a. Ethical
2. What principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why?
a. Non maleficence - the RDN must Recognize and exercise professional judgment within
the limits of individual qualifications and collaborate with others, seek counsel, and make
referrals as appropriate
3. Indicate the Category for the Code of Ethics:
a. Responsibility to the client
4. Indicate the Principle(s) of the Code of Ethics:
a. Non maleficence
5. Explain how/why this relates to the Category and Principle:
a. Responsibility to the client - the RDN must give the most accurate and up to date
information to the client as they can, even if that means referring them out to someone
who can help them better than they can

Case Study 18:

1. I​ s the situation described an ethical issue? Or is it a business dispute?

a. Ethical
2. What principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why?
a. Autonomy - the RDN must comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including
obtaining/maintaining a state license or certification if engaged in practice governed by
nutrition and dietetics statutes. They must also maintain and appropriately use credentials
3. ​Indicate the Category for the Code of Ethics:
a. Responsibility to the profession
b. Responsibility to the public
4. ​Indicate the Principle(s) of the Code of Ethics:
a. Autonomy
5. Explain how/why this relates to the Category and Principle:
a. Responsibility to the profession and to the public - the RDN must complete all
requirements to hold their credential in order to uphold that title. If they do not, they are
lying to the public and falsely advertising their education level. They are also not
upholding the ideals of the profession and it is unfair to those who have done all the work
to uphold their titles

Case Study 19:

1. I​ s the situation described an ethical issue? Or is it a business dispute?

 a. Ethical
2. What principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why?
a. Autonomy - The RDNs did not comply with all applicable laws and regulations,
including obtaining/maintaining a state license or certification if engaged in practice
governed by nutrition and dietetics statutes. The RDNs are also not respecting intellectual
property rights, including citation and recognition of the ideas and work of others,
regardless of the medium (e.g. written, oral, electronic).
3. Indicate the Category for the Code of Ethics:
a. Responsibility to the profession
b. Responsibility to the public
4. Indicate the Principle(s) of the Code of Ethics:
a. Autonomy
5. Explain how/why this relates to the Category and Principle:
a. Responsibility of the profession and the public - the RDNs did not complete the work
required of them individually and used the work of others to keep up with their credential
which is dishonest and unfair to others in the profession and a lie to the public because
they did not complete the necessary requirements to have that credential

Case Study 20:

1. I​ s the situation described an ethical issue? Or is it a business dispute?

a. Ethical
2. What principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why?
a. Beneficence - the RDN must participate in and contribute to decisions that affect the
well-being of patients/clients.
3. Indicate the Category for the Code of Ethics:
a. Responsibility to the client
4. Indicate the Principle(s) of the Code of Ethics:
a. Beneficence
5. Explain how/why this relates to the Category and Principle:
a. Responsibility to the client - the RDN must make a decision that is in the best interest of
the client while also respecting their ability to make their own decisions (if they are in
fact medically able to do so)

Case Study 21:

1. I​ s the situation described an ethical issue? Or is it a business dispute?

a. Ethical
2. What principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why?
a. Autonomy - RDNs must disclose any conflicts of interest, including any financial
interests in products or services that are recommended. It is dishonest to accept both
payments from both organizations
3. ​Indicate the Category for the Code of Ethics:
 a. Responsibility to the profession
4. Indicate the Principle(s) of the Code of Ethics:
a. Autonomy
5. Explain how/why this relates to the Category and Principle:
a. Responsibility to the profession - the RDN is required to be honest and not steal extra
money from the academy and their organization