Question

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.)

Answer 1

My own clinical experience which I have faced ethical dilemmas when handling Jehovah's witness patient. ethical issues arise when the patient religious freedom and autonomy refuse treatment conflicts with doctors' commitment to avoiding harm to the patient. patient with 15 years old with low Hb level 4.5g/dl needs an urgent blood transfusion. but their parents do not accept blood transfusion even though it is a life-threatening condition for their child. it interferes with doctors' ethical decision making, there was no time for legal intervention to deal with parents. Jehovah's Witnesses is opposed to the medical practice of blood transfusion. respecting patients' religious beliefs and their autonomy need a solution without risk to life of the patient. These ethical issues resolved with alternative chemotherapies using ICS and PCS. when the Jehovah's treatment option conflict with fundamental rights we should have the responsibility and make a conclusion for the best treatment for the patient to protect their life. Respecting bioethical principles beneficence, non-maleficence as a professional we should solve the conflict with the best alternate option.