Ethical Dilemma In Nursing

723 Words2 Pages

Nurses have a professional duty and legal obligation to provide ethical nursing care. There may be situations of contrasting values and beliefs between the client and the nurse about what actions are beneficial or harmful, which leads to an ethical dilemma. An ethical dilemma that challenges two or more values, “values that support diverging courses of action” and weighs individual judgment (CNO, 2009, p.5). The solution to the ethical dilemma often leads to dissatisfy either one or both ends of the nurse-client relationship. Regardless of the solution, the primary goal is to improve resident’s well being. As a nursing student, she should collaborate with experienced nurses; seek knowledge and guidance on how to handle an ethical dilemma. …show more content…

24). “Nurses must be committed to building trusting relations as the foundation of meaningful communication recognizing that this takes effort. Such relationships are critical to ensure that a person’s choice is understood, expressed and advocated” (CNA, 2006, p. 11). A nurse recognizes, respects and promotes the individual’s right to make decisions; they do not force or misuse their professional power to influence client’s decision-making. “In most situations, an ethical practice includes respecting the client’s autonomy even if the nurse does not agree with the client’s decision” (CNA, 2006, p. 5). There are circumstances that nurses will have to disobey agency policies in order to achieve the best interest of the clients. Some people might want to argue about the legal issue of negligence for not providing the care to the resident. The nurse is to be accountable for not following facility policy, though there are some situations where charting that ‘care was offered but the resident refused’ is the safest action. Refusing care is part of the resident’s right for autonomy and likely the best option for their …show more content…

Dementia patients are often assumed to be incapable of decision-making, a stigma associated with mental health. The resident has mild dementia; it is helpful for dementia patients’ feelings to be validated. Nurses should be conscious of how to approach the resident, ask in an empathic manner and reflect it through body movements, change the timing of the approach and offer other options. It is the facility’s policy for the residents to bathe daily, if the resident was asked in the morning, attempt to ask some other time throughout the day. Asking the resident after breakfast when they have already eaten, possibly in a much better mood can make an amicable difference in the resident’s choices of action. As the student nurse, ask if the resident is comfortable with her providing the care or if the resident prefers a male care provider. Formulate an effective communication to the resident who has mild dementia by moving and speaking calmly, no rush, no arguing, provide simple explanations or instructions, ask a yes or no question, be aware of their facial expressions, make eye contact, and express affection by smiling or by holding their hand (Alzheimer’s Association, 2016, p.

Open Document