An example of an ethical dilemma in nursing

An example of an ethical dilemma in nursing

A nurse should always be patient-oriented and aim for optimum patient satisfaction. Whenever a nurse and a patient hold conflicting values, nurses must set aside their values and be ready to understand the patient’s values. This is for the benefit of the patient whose wellness and satisfaction are the primary aim of a nurse. The principle of patient autonomy mandates that nurses must respect patient preferences and wants regardless of how unsafe they or whether the nurse accepts them or not as long as the patient is competent and the wishes are legal.

As a nurse, I am committed to my patients as a whole, which covers their values, cultures, and needs. One of the common objectives of nursing is to promote the dignity of each patient, which necessitates respect for their values and beliefs in every situation. As a nurse, I can only educate and provide all relevant information to the patient in the most ethical, intellectual, and respectful way to avoid attacking patients or appearing to rebel against their values or beliefs.

Patient empowerment may pose an ethical dilemma for nurses. For instance, a patient suffering from diabetes need to be educated and advised accordingly on lifestyle modification as well as self-management of diabetes to be able to live healthily with the disease. Now, a scenario comes where a nurse advised and educates a diabetic patient who is well-empowered to stop smoking and avoid unhealthy food such as too much intake of snacks. A patient fails to comply, citing that they have been happy living on such a diet and lifestyle, and it is the only way they can fight stress that comes with the diagnosis. The nurse strives to make the patient understands that smoking, chronic alcoholism, too many snacks, and physical inactivity are not good for his health. There are instances when patients continue with unhealthy habits despite numerous awareness, advice, and education. A nurse as a patient advocate often want the best for the patient and maybe hurt to see the patient risking his life. The patient is well-empowered but still do not heed the advice nor observe precautions. The nurse is left in a dilemma and may be tempted to breach the principle of autonomy to let the patient do what is right for his pr her health. However, this is not ethically right, and the nurse must respect the patient desires and grant them control over their health and life as long as they are competent. Often, according to the nursing code of ethics, whenever there is a conflict between beneficence and autonomy, the latter always wins, and the nurse must comply regardless of the apparent risks of the patient’s actions.

The best thing I would do whenever I feel a patient is making an unwise decision, firstly, I will try to understand their concern to know how best I can strategize to deliver a more tailored solution to their possible concern. After knowing their problem, I will educate them and advise them about their decision and the better alternatives that could lead to a healthy life. I often believe that knowledge is the foundation of everything, and a lack of adequate information can lead to wrong and risky choices. In case the patient was acting out of lacking information, may effort will be directed at empowering the patient with relevant information and guidance until they realize the best an healthy ways to act, think, and reason. Besides, if the patient was making an unwise decision out of external forces, stress or any pressing issue, I would advise the advice and counsel the patient as much as I can before connecting him or her to a preferred counselor to help them realize the healthy and beautiful side of the everything.

If I feel that a patient is making an unwise decision, I will try my best to educate and justify the healthy and helpful things that they can do. I can, as a nurse, help empower that patient to make day-to-day decisions about medical and nonmedical care that they will provide at home by themselves, such as personal hygiene, specific procedures, and interventions; like deep breathing exercises, workout regimens, incentive spirometer, interactions with care providers, and loyalty to recommendations that are made by the doctors. If the patient is to make an unwise decision, I will give that patient all the facts about why that decision is not the correct one in their position, as well and make themself aware that it may not be helpful to them. I would educate them to my best ability, as well as engage in the treatments if they are needing help with carrying them out. The patient needs to feel as if they have a choice, but the expertise of a doctor or nurse to carry them in the right direction to better themselves, even if it is a terminal illness that they are diagnosed with. If the patient doesn’t feel like they are in control of their healthcare decisions they may make the unhealthy decisions just because it is what the doctor told them not to do, out of spite or because they feel as if they are dying anyway do there is no reason to even try anymore.

Patient empowerment should have limits. Empowering patients and letting them know that they have rights and freedoms regarding their health and everything concerning their wellness has vastly affected care delivery, access, wellness, and the healthcare system. While it has some advantages, the demerits are more than benefits. One of the benefits is that it has helped make patients responsible for their health and, to some extent, health access. For instance, patient empowerment has ensured that most patients understand their conditions, or most of the infectious and fatal diseases and how to prevent them, which has improved public health and responsibility towards health and wellness. However, the demerits are vastly and mainly affect care delivery. A patient is advised on the best practices and behaviors, but because they know the right of autonomy protects them, most patients are at risk of assuming medical and health advice.

Similarly, patients exploit the principle of autonomy to refuse treatment, which hinders their care. Also, the fact that a healthcare provider no longer has authority over patients makes it hard to provide adequate and comprehensive care since a patient may decide in the middle of intervention that he is no longer interested in the care. The patient should only be empowered with no longer to enables them to be responsible for their health and wellness but not given the power over healthcare providers who are always committed to delivering the best care to them. The decision on what, when, and how to deliver care should remain with the care provider, but the patient should be actively involved. Empowering patients to decide what they want and not want and instructing healthcare providers should stop, and the practitioner is left to intervene according to their knowledge while incorporating patients and families.