Ethics Case Study: Nurse Maggie's Ethical Dilemma

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Ethical Surgical Decision
Introduction
During this case study, Nurse Maggie is faced with an ethical decision. She has been working on the schedule for the weekend and has just enough coverage for eight patients that are in the hospital at this time. As she is leaving work a neurosurgeon approaches her and asks if the unit will be able to take care of one more patient. Through this assignment, I will explain when the surgeon can operate, the ethical obligations Nurse Maggie has to the patient, and the obligations to the surgeon and hospital.
Body
I believe that Nurse Maggie must be honest with the surgeon. Honesty is what makes ethical decisions, without trust in another person there can’t be a relationship. (Thompson, 2009, pp. 65) …show more content…

This would allow the nurse to educate the patient and also help decrease anxiety levels. Also, physicians can help elevate stressful situation with medications like benzodiazepines. These medications can help in the acute phase of anxiety. Long term ways of treating anxiety are through guided imagery, deep breathing techniques, and education to help prevent a sudden anxiety attack. (Stephens, 2006, pp. 241-245) Taking consideration that the surgery is more than likely only being delayed by a few days.
The obligation that Nurse Maggie holds to the hospital is that they have a nine-bed unit and the unit is full along with the step-down unit. The nurse’s hands are tied at this point and will just have to continue re-evaluate each patient that is currently on the unit and the step-down unit. She owes the surgeon her honesty that she can’t safely provide care for the patient at this time. Nurse Maggie has several moral and ethical decisions that she must make, but above all she is to do no harm to any patient. That includes the other patients that are on the floor. (Curtin,

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