Ethics In Nursing Essay

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All human beings are born free and equal in their dignity and right. Everyone has the right to live and make decisions for themselves. Ethics is related to human rights. It is concerned with principles, values and standards of human conduct. Individuals have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion (Funnelle, Koutoukidis & Lawrence, 2009, p.34-35). In health care, there are number of ethical issues related to patient’s health. It is very essential to obey to ethical principles in order to protect the dignity, rights and welfare of individuals. Ethics is concern for human life. It is the means of deciding a course of action or behavior. A situation when a choice between two options and if one option is chosen, the other will …show more content…

This is because, as a nurse, she values the patient’s belief and his wish (Funnelle, Koutoukidis & Lawrence, 2009). Furthermore, nurse explained to Mark that how his life is in critical situation and if he want to save his life he has to receive blood transfusion. However, Mark already gave a signed Refusal of Treatment document. Mark has right to make decision by himself. He has freedom of choice. Nurse should follow the guidelines of Code of Ethics and Code of conducts for nurses in Australia. Regarding to these guidelines, the nurse always values the patient’s choice, kindness and respect of the patient (National Health and Medical research Council, 2014; Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, 2006 p.34). As a consequence, the nurse should submit the Refusal of Treatment document to the doctor and discuss with the doctor regarding Marks’ decision. As per Medical treatment Act, 1988 Victoria, the nurse should respect Mark’s wish as he belief in Jehovah’s Witness. Jehovah’s Witness people do not receive blood transfusion as they believe that blood represents individual’s life. This community has prohibited to eat blood and not receive blood transfusion. From the ethical point of view, any adult with his conscious mind, does not receive blood transfusion treatment, it should be respected. This religion has their individual conscience whether they want to accept other alternatives or not (Chief …show more content…

It is a philosophical account of justified action. Ethics and human rights are essential in health care. Nurse should make decision followed by ethical principles. Individuals have right to make decision their selves and their beliefs. The ethical dilemma create in Mark’s case is that his life is very critical so he needs blood transfusion treatment. Medical staff try to save Mark’s life and they are preparing units of blood. However, He is Jehovah’s Witness religion so he cannot receive blood transfusion. This situation creates ethical dilemma for the nurse. In the center point of Human rights is, inheriting dignity and equal worth of all human. Person who is the capable to decide, nurse should consider that wish. As per autonomy ethical principle, the nurse should respect the patient’s decision, dignity, values and wishes. The nurse should not harm the patient. Medical treatment Act 1988 Victoria informs that if patient is conscious and adult, he can choose refusal of treatment. If medical staff still continue the procedure, they would have charges for assault or battery law because of harming the patient. Nurse should also follow the code of ethics and code of conduct guideline. The nurses always respect the dignity, culture, values and belief pf patient as well as their

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