What are considered specific guidelines of what should or should not be done?

The term that best describes specific guidelines of what should or should not be done is "rules." Rules are formal directives or principles that outline behaviors, actions, or procedures that are expected to be followed in a given context. They provide clarity and structure, dictating accepted practices and boundaries of behavior in various situations.

In different disciplines, including genetic counseling, adherence to established rules is vital for maintaining ethical standards, ensuring patient safety, and promoting best practices. For instance, rules might govern confidentiality measures, informed consent processes, or the documentation of patient interactions, thus allowing practitioners to navigate complex situations effectively.

Ideals, duties, and virtues, while important concepts, do not specifically serve as concrete guidelines in the same way that rules do. Ideals represent aspirational goals; duties refer to moral or professional obligations, and virtues focus on character traits that promote ethical behavior. However, they lack the specific prescriptive nature that rules embody.