which of the following is the first step of the ethical decision-making process?

The first step of the ethical decision-making process is to identify or recognize the ethical issue or problem. This involves clearly defining the problem, understanding whether it has an ethical dimension that requires analysis, and gathering as much specific and objective information about the situation as possible. Identifying the ethical dilemma accurately sets the foundation for the subsequent steps in the process. For example, one should determine if the issue involves ethical, legal, professional, or clinical concerns or a combination of these, and separate facts from assumptions in this step.