Great discussion Jo! I appreciate that you mentioned the first step is for the nurse practitioner to follow the code of ethics. In nursing, we are faced with many difficult situations we are expected to handle. The principles that make up the code of ethics are basic moral truths meant to guide us to make the right choices for our patients (Burkhardt & Nathaniel, 2014). However, as you mentioned, sometimes these principles seem to conflict. Nursing code of ethics states that the nurse must always put the best interest of the patient first. I agree that patient confidentiality should be honored and respected. But I also came to the same conclusion as you did. Protecting the patient must come first. The American Nurses Association recognizes