Ethical Dilemmas In Nursing All posts should be supported by a minimum of one scholarly resource, ideally within the last 5 years. Journals and websites must be cited appropriately. Citations and references must adhere to APA format.
Faubion, D. (2022). 20 common examples of ethical dilemmas in nursing and how to deal with themLinks to an external site.. NursingProcess.org [website].
Explain what is an ethical dilemma in nursing?
Pick one of the common examples of ethical dilemmas in nursing from the article above and discuss evidence-based research about the dilemma and ways to handle the dilemma or best practices in handling the issue. Do not rely solely on the answers in the article.
Discuss what ethical dilemmas (nursing and non-nursing) you have heard about or experienced.
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An ethical dilemma in nursing is a situation that arises when two or more ethical principles or values conflict, and the nurse is unsure of the appropriate course of action to take. These dilemmas can arise in situations where there are competing interests, values, or obligations, such as issues related to patient autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, or fidelity.
One common example of an ethical dilemma in nursing is the issue of providing care to a patient who refuses a life-saving treatment. According to Hwang and colleagues (2021), autonomy is a fundamental principle of nursing that requires respect for the patient’s right to self-determination. However, this principle may conflict with the principle of beneficence, which requires the nurse to act in the best interest of the patient. In this situation, the nurse may be torn between respecting the patient’s wishes and providing care that could save the patient’s life.
To handle this ethical dilemma, Hwang and colleagues (2021) suggest that the nurse should engage in effective communication with the patient and the healthcare team to identify the reasons for the patient’s refusal and explore alternatives that could address the patient’s concerns. The nurse should also consult the hospital’s ethics committee and seek legal guidance if necessary. Additionally, the nurse should document the patient’s decision and the steps taken to respect the patient’s autonomy.
An ethical dilemma I have heard about is the issue of confidentiality in healthcare. Patients may share sensitive information with healthcare providers, but the providers are bound by ethical and legal obligations to maintain confidentiality. However, in some situations, the healthcare provider may need to disclose the information to a third party, such as a family member or law enforcement, to prevent harm or comply with legal requirements. This dilemma requires careful consideration of the patient’s privacy rights and the potential benefits and harms of disclosure.
