Essay On Ethical Dilemma

Ethics refers to an expected behavior of a certain group in relation to what is considered right or wrong. Right or wrong is based on society norms and values. The principles of ethical behavior pertaining to patient care include autonomy, beneficence, justice, fidelity, veracity, and respect for others. The ability of the client to make personal decisions, even if those decisions are not in their best interest is called autonomy. Beneficence is the care that is in the best interest of the client. Fidelity means keeping one’s promise to the client about the care that was offered. All clients must be treated fairly regarding physical and psychological care. This is known as justice. Nonmaleficence means the nurse has obligation to avoid causing

You can identify whether it is an ethical dilemma by answering three questions. Can it be solved solely by a review of scientific data? Does it involve a conflict between two moral imperatives? Could the answer to the problem have a profound effect on the situation/client?

2.) State the ethical dilemma, including all surrounding issues and individuals involved.

3.) List and analyze all possible options for resolving the dilemma, and review implications of each option.

4.) Select the option that is in concert with the ethical principle applicable to this situation, the decision maker’s values and beliefs, and the profession’s values set forth for client care. Justify why that one option was selected.

5.) Apply this decision to the dilemma and evaluate the outcomes. (Henry et al., 2016) Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements: Nurses must have respect for the dignity, worth, and human rights of all patients regardless of culture, religion or lifestyle in order to establish trust. We must recognize the patient’s right to accept or refuse treatment and overcome our own bias and ideas while administering health care. We are obligated to know and understand the moral and legal rights of all patients. The same respect should be extended to all professional

The article discusses research that was done asking oncologists what their feelings were in delivering bad news to their patients. As stated in the article, “the analysis found that the majority of oncologists considered delivering unwelcome information to be emotionally difficult and unpleasant.” (Medscape, 2017). On this particular article they initiated a peer poll with a four questions for fellow healthcare professionals to answer. Questions two and three really caught my eye. Given our knowledge of ethics, I was surprised to see that question two reveals that forty-five percent of the people who answered this poll have delayed giving a patient bad news about their health. In question three we read the feelings of doctors upon having to give their patients bad news about their health. Fifty-eight percent responded their main feeling was anxiety. While we are aware the ethical response in these situations is to promptly give the patient all of the news available, the human response can have an effect as