Ethical Dilemmas In Nursing

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An ethical dilemma is a position where there is conflict between two options due to the value for each option being different but similarly important and morally correct (Ethics for Nurses, 2013). It is possible that is an ethical dilemma might arise in health care. For example, when the patient, family members and/ or medical team have different understanding of situation because they use different ethical principles. Ethical dilemmas are not easy to resolve possible to produce a simple, suitable solution because the ethical values are of equal important (Narrigan, 2004). Nurses must have the necessary skills to be able to deal with ethical dilemmas. They must be able to identify ethical dilemmas when they present as well as to consider relevant principles involved in the ethical dilemma and to identify the conflict between these principles. The nurse should be able to resolve the ethical dilemma in the best interest of the patient by making a decision that is legal and within the professional standards and instructions related to their nursing …show more content…

Mark is still conscious and oriented and informs the nurse that he does not wish to receive a blood transfusion under any circumstance because he is a Jehovah’s Witness and receiving a blood transfusion goes against his religion. Mark presents the nurse will a signed Refusal of Treatment document. Pam, Mark’s girlfriend insists that the nurse ignore the document and administer the blood. She threats to sue the nurse and the doctor for negligence if Mark is not given the blood. The ethical dilemma is therefore whether the nurse should act to support Mark’s right to make his own decision (by not administering the blood transfusion) or to act to save his life (according to Pam’s wishes) by administering the blood

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