This comprehensive and thought-provoking textbook offers both an essential introduction to key aspects of nursing ethics, including the role of professional codes of conduct and challenges to be encountered in the 21st century, and an in-depth exploration of ethical issues in relation to specific patient groups, such as the unborn, those with mental health difficulties, and the dying. In addition, the book provides a stimulating discussion of ethics relating to public health issues, such as smoking and obesity, as well as the fundamental matter of ethics in nursing research. With ethics at the core of nursing practice, this fully updated textbook is a must-read for students on nursing undergraduate programmes and qualified practitioners wanting to ensure their skills are update and they're delivering the best care possible. New to this Edition: - Fully updated new edition - Illustrated by a wealth of case studies relating to real-life conflicts to aid understanding and application of knowledge and encourage students to think about practical rather than abstract issues