Objective: The objective was to investigate the ethical observances used by nurses assisting the patient without possibilities of cure. Methods: Exploratory research, qualitative in nature, performed with 28 nurses of a public hospital, located in the city of João Pessoa/PB. The data were collected through a questionnaire, from August to October 2012 and subjected to content analysis technique. Results: The categories identified were: Palliative Care: principles of Bioethics to the patient without possibilities of cure and privacy and professional secrecy under the palliative care. Such categories indicated that the professionals are valuing the principles of Bioethics, as well as the privacy and the professional secrecy, using them as a strategy to assist the care to the patient without possibilities of cure. Conclusion: This study is expected to subsidize new investigations, because they are still incipient the research addressing bioethics in patient assistance in palliative care. Bioética, así como la privacidad y el secreto profesional, usándolos como una estrategia para auxiliar a la atención de los pacientes sin posibilidad de cura. Conclusión: Se espera que este estudio pueda subsidiar nuevas investigaciones, pues aún son incipientes las encuestas que abordan la Bioética en la asistencia al paciente bajo Cuidados Paliativos.