Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing
Question 1
The ethical dilemma is defined as a complicated situation in which difficult decision making has to be made two different courses of action. The nature of moral involves compromise professional ethics in favor of one course of action.
Summary of the article
According to Rainer (2018), ethics govern how individuals or people behave or conduct themselves. Each one of us has its own set of individual ethics and morals. Rainer also said that ethics are essential in healthcare, the workers recognize healthcare dilemmas, and this helps them in making good judgment and decision making (Rainer, 2018). The ethical dilemma is prevalent in nursing practice. In his study, he suggested that ethical dilemmas can lead to moral distress, and nurses are the ones to solve them (Rainer, 2018). The article has an aim in developing strategies to guide decision making in nursing while are facing dilemmas. The article provides the established provisions code of ethics for nurses by the American Nurses Association (ANA). The researcher shows how ethical dilemmas are raised from end to end problems, conflicts with professionals or families, the privacy of patient concerns, and organizational constraints (Rainer, 2018). The review suggested that the role of nursing must be addressed. The physical appearance of the patient plays on a determination of futility by a nurse. There are different ethical dilemmas experienced by nurses in the united states and the international nursing community (Rainer, 2018). Rainer indicated that beneficence, bioethics, and justice; these are primary principles where ethical provision is derived.
Question 2
Four professional standards were addressed for LPN, responsibility and accountability, competency-based practice, client-focused provision of service, and ethical practice (Peter, 2018). By using this professional standard, LPN can understand the obligation of their professional standard. Another thing is that the continuing competence and professional development is supported by LPN (Peter, 2018). The others receive training by the LPN. Moreover, the LPN can resolve the issues involving professional practice (Peter, 2018). In contrast, LPN advocating changes to policies and training.
Question 3 consequences of ethical dilemmas
- Legal outcome
The result in the study indicated that end-of-life care, nurses believe dying is not being handled with sufficient attention to comfort. Physical conflicts are another outcome of ethical dilemmas, lack of inability to advocate patients, and lack of teamwork among nurses (Rainer, 2018). The issue of organization constraints, the involvement of negative cultures are the reasons for this issue.
- Moral, ethical outcome
Family conflicts are an issue that is created by the families of the patient in the ethical dilemma of nurses. For example, when the family refuses intubation for the patient, also healthcare team conflicts with such kind of issue regarding which is the best treatment plan (Rainer, 2018). The privacy and dignity of the patient are also causes of dilemmas; this can happen, for example, when the patient wants to go to the bathroom alone, but the nurse refuses because she understands how risky it might be. The study reported that the result of such an ethical dilemma would be moral distress (Murphy, 2017). Another issue that was identified was the unethical practices of healthcare professionals.
- Other possible outcomes not discussed in the article
The protection of patient rights was one of the problems the research did not identify (Murphy, 2017). Also, surrogate decision making is the most frequent outcome (Haddad, 2019). Another occurring problem that was not announced is the staffing patterns that affect the work negatively (Murphy, 2017).
Question 4 What to be done to prevent ethical dilemma in nursing
The healthcare professional should 1) clarify the problem while making choices (Haddad, 2019). 2) respect the rights and dignity of the client (Peter, 2018) 3) healthcare should be provided and directed toward the well-being of the family, person, and community (Haddad, 2019). 4) LPN should collaborate with the client and their families (Peter, 2018). 5) support client and family decisions and also the privacy of the client.
Question 5 What I have learned about the ethical dilemma
While writing this paper, I have come to understand that end-of-life situations primarily cause ethical dilemmas. The lack of common language is another cause of a moral issue in nursing; the terms of communication include morality, ethics, stress, and distress. According to what I have understood is that when ethical dilemmas cause is understood, we can be able to understand the strategies to assist the nurse in resolving these dilemmas effectively. The other thing is that as a nurse, I should follow the professional standard addressed by LPN.
References
Rainer, J., Schneider, J. K., & Lorenz, R. A. (2018). Ethical dilemmas in nursing: An integrative review. Journal of clinical nursing, 27(19-20), 3446-3461.
Haddad, L. M., & Geiger, R. A. (2019). Nursing Ethical Considerations.
Peter, E. (2018). Overview and summary: Ethics in healthcare: Nurses respond. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 23(1).
Murphy, P. (2017). Book Review: Ethical Dilemmas & Nursing Practice: Ethical Dilemmas & Nursing Practice. The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 25(1), 65–66. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-720x.1997.tb01399.x