Question

Ada is in the hospital. She is a 47-year-old woman who has metastatic breast cancer and does not want her family to know that she is at the end-of-life and is dying. ada has low energy, and her fatigue level now taxes her coping mechanisms, which are normally excellent; she does not feel that she can deal with her family’s grief. Ada's daughter has been discharged from the Air Force and is returning home from an overseas deployment. The family has planned a surprise party for Ada in the hospital when her daughter arrives back home and has invited many of her friends and family members. Ralfa’s nurse is conflicted because she practices under the principle of

utilitarianism and is aware of her patient’s desire for privacy as well as the party planned by the family. Ada does not know about the party and her family does not know about her prognosis.

Discussion Questions

1. Define and state the limitations of utilitarianism, privacy, and veracity

2. What would a person of utilitarian thought do in this case?

3. What about the unwritten nurse-patient agreement as it relates to beneficence?

4. How does this pose a conflict for a nurse practicing the ethical principle of utilitarianism?

5. Are your values regarding veracity stronger or weaker than your desire to cause no harm to Ralfa’s feelings (nonmaleficence)?

TASK 3. CASE ANALYSIS

Instructions: Briefly answer the following discussion questions. (see rubrics for scoring)

Scenario: Over the past several weeks, you have noticed that your closest friend, Ada has been erratic and has been making poor patient-care decisions. On two separate occasions, you quietly intervened and “fixed” his errors. You have also noticed that he volunteers to give pain medications to other nurses’ patients, and you see him standing very close to other nurses when they remove controlled substances from the medication distribution center. Today you watched him go to the center immediately after another colleague and then saw him go into the men’s room. Within about 20 minutes his behavior had changed completely. You suspect that he may be taking controlled substances. You and Ada have been friends for more than 20 years. You grew up together and went to nursing school together. You realized that if you approached him, you may jeopardize his close friendship that means a great deal to you.

1. Using the Moral ethical decision making model, devise a plan to resolve this dilemma

Answer 1

1. Utilitarianism is the most influential moral theory. It's core idea is that whether the actions are morally right or wrong depends on their effects the action is performed.

Happiness is the only thing that has value in utilitarianism. If the actions are right it provide happiness. If wrong provides unhappiness. It considers every ones happiness equally.

Veracity is the accuracy or conformity of truths.

privacy is something personal

In this case of Ada, she is at the end stage of life.So she won't become happy. Her family members were not aware of the poor prognosis and also she doesn't want to spoil their happiness. In order to maintain every one's happiness it is not practical to follow veracity privacy , and utilitarianism.

2. A person of utilitarian thoughts will provide happiness to the client as she is at the end stage of life.

3.The unwritten nurse - patient agreement is that the nurse will not expose the present disease condition of client to relatives or family members. This decision is benesocial for both client and family members. In party both of them will be happy.

4. The profession nurse must follow ethical principles like veracity. she must be accurate and truthful.By following utilitarianism it creates conflicts for the nurse .

5.The values regarding veracity is weaker than the desire to cause no harm to clients feeling. She is at the end stage of life ,so giving her a little bit of happiness will helps to forgot bitter feelings of disease.

The utilitarianism helps to keep everyone happy.Happiness is its main goal.It is attained either morally or by other means.