Today’s health care environment gives nurses many reasons to be conflicted. Genetic testing, abortion, and end of life care are just some of the areas in which nurses may face ethical dilemmas. Consider how you feel about the following issues:
- Respecting the wishes of a suffering client that he is permitted to die with dignity,
- Respecting the health surrogate’s wishes regarding termination of life support,
- Or even observing another nurse take two tablets of oxycodone as ordered but keeping one for herself.
Then give an example of an ethical dilemma you may have confronted in your own clinical experience or workplace. How did you come to the decision you made? What feelings did you experience while coming to that choice? (If you have not yet faced an ethical dilemma, research one and comment on it, answering the same questions.)
At least 2 pages with reference
Title: Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing Practice
Introduction
Nurses play a crucial role in the healthcare environment and often find themselves facing complex ethical dilemmas. These dilemmas can be emotionally challenging and require careful consideration of ethical principles and values. In this discussion, we will explore three ethical issues in nursing: respecting a suffering client’s wish to die with dignity, respecting a health surrogate’s wishes regarding termination of life support, and observing a colleague diverting medication. Additionally, we will discuss a personal ethical dilemma I faced in my clinical experience or workplace.
Respecting a Suffering Client’s Wish to Die with Dignity
Respecting a suffering client’s wish to die with dignity is a fundamental ethical issue in healthcare. The principle of autonomy underscores a patient’s right to make decisions about their own care, including end-of-life decisions. Nurses may find themselves in situations where a patient with a terminal illness expresses a desire to discontinue life-prolonging interventions, such as mechanical ventilation or cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
In such situations, nurses must navigate a delicate balance between respecting the patient’s autonomy and providing appropriate care. It is essential to engage in open and honest communication with the patient, ensuring they fully understand their options and the potential consequences of their decisions. Consulting with the healthcare team and involving ethics committees can help in reaching an ethically sound decision.
Respecting a Health Surrogate’s Wishes Regarding Termination of Life Support
When a patient is unable to make medical decisions due to incapacitation, healthcare providers turn to health surrogates or legally designated decision-makers to make decisions on their behalf. An ethical dilemma arises when the surrogate’s wishes conflict with the healthcare team’s recommendations. For example, a surrogate may request the withdrawal of life support against the medical team’s advice.
In such cases, nurses must advocate for the patient’s best interests while respecting the surrogate’s role. Effective communication and collaboration with the healthcare team and the surrogate are essential. Nurses should provide information about the patient’s condition, prognosis, and available options to facilitate an informed decision. Ethical principles such as beneficence and non-maleficence should guide the decision-making process to ensure the patient’s well-being.
Observing Medication Diversion by a Colleague
The scenario of observing a colleague diverting medication presents a significant ethical dilemma in nursing practice. Medication diversion not only violates ethical principles but also poses serious risks to patient safety. In this situation, nurses are torn between loyalty to their colleague and their ethical duty to protect patients from harm.
Nurses must prioritize patient safety and report any observed misconduct promptly. The ethical principles of veracity (truthfulness) and fidelity (loyalty to the patient’s best interests) come into play. Reporting the colleague’s actions is essential to maintain trust and integrity within the profession and ensure the safety of patients.
Personal Ethical Dilemma
In my clinical experience, I encountered an ethical dilemma related to patient confidentiality. I was responsible for caring for a patient who had tested positive for a sexually transmitted infection (STI). The patient explicitly asked me not to disclose this information to their partner, who was also my patient. This situation presented a conflict between my duty to maintain patient confidentiality and my obligation to protect the health of both individuals.
I experienced a range of emotions while coming to a decision. Initially, I felt torn between respecting the patient’s confidentiality and ensuring that the partner received the necessary information and treatment to prevent the spread of the infection. After much reflection and consultation with my nursing supervisor and an ethics committee, I decided to prioritize public health and informed the partner about the STI, ensuring both patients received appropriate care.
Conclusion
Ethical dilemmas are an inherent part of nursing practice, reflecting the complex and often emotionally charged nature of healthcare. Nurses must navigate these dilemmas by upholding ethical principles such as autonomy, beneficence, and veracity while considering the best interests of the patient and the broader community. Open communication, collaboration, and ethical decision-making processes are essential tools in resolving these dilemmas and ensuring the provision of high-quality, ethical care.