Case Study: Ethical Dilemmas

The mental status of Jonathan has made him competent and capable of making rational decision to any medical intervention or treatment. This gives rise to an ethical dilemma that the hospital staff and Jonathan’s physician may be facing. Jonathan’s autonomy conflicts with his healthcare team’s commitment to do good to him or in providing care in his best interest. The healthcare team or medical staff may encounter more difficulty because the father of Jonathan appears to be supportive with his decision on the refusal of care and treatment (except for pain management).

Analysis

Jonathan’s right to refuse care and treatment is protected by the law and is originated from the principle of patient’s autonomy (Rae, 2009, p. 113). Jonathan’s autonomy

For the purpose of Jonathan’s case, it is important for his medical staff to recognize some alternatives that may be helpful in advocating for his wishes, and at the same time recognizing that they are performing their obligations or commitments. Through this process the ethical dilemmas that the hospital and medical staff that are facing will be minimized or totally will be dealt

To advocate for Jonathan’s wishes can be challenging for some Christian nurses who values life as sacred. It is a commitment of the most nurses and doctors to save a patient’s life and recognizing patient’s autonomy at the same time. The principles autonomy and beneficence can be the conflicting ethical issues or perspectives in Jonathan’s situation; however, the principle of advocacy covers both virtues of autonomy and beneficence in a non-conflicting way. The beneficence is “to do good” in which providing information or education for the benefits of the patient is part of it. Nursing role as an educator is good service that a nurse can do to a patient like Jonathan (who has the autonomy to manage his treatment). This is an act of