Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing Practice – Case Study Analysis (NSG2HEL)

Case Study 1:

Ms. X is a 42-year-old female who has been brought into your facility by ambulance in a critical condition and is scheduled for emergency surgery following a severe motor vehicle accident. You are aware that her husband and child did not survive the accident. She is almost hysterical and is asking you repeatedly about the condition of her loved ones as you prepare her for emergency surgery. Finally, she refuses to sign the consent for surgery until she gets news that her husband and child are okay. Without surgery, her chances of survival are very poor. The surgeon tells you to assure her that everything is being done for her loved ones and she will see them after the surgery.

Case Study 2: 

Mr. M is a 72-year-old man of Eastern European origin who presented to your facility with abdominal pain and nausea. He has had a series of scans, which showed an abnormality in his liver; a biopsy revealed a diagnosis of metastatic cancer. He was told of this finding and that he would need immediate surgery and start chemotherapy. He was admitted to the surgical unit; however, on admission, the patient’s family told the staff that complete truthfulness about terminal illness would be against his cultural norms and would severely overwhelm him. They further stated that it was their duty as a family to protect him and that he would expect this. During surgery, it was found that the tumour was unable to be removed. Following the family’s wishes, Mr. M has been told that his recovery would be lengthy and require ongoing treatment.

Assessment Requirements: 

Identification Of Ethical Issues   

Question 1:

Identify the ethical issues in your chosen scenario.  Provide a brief overview of the ethical principles and theory related to the scenario.

Analysis Of Ethical Issues

Question 2:

Undertake an analysis of the most relevant ethical principles and theory in relation to the scenario using appropriate literature.

Structure & Organisation  

Utilise current APA style to present your essay.  This should include an introduction and conclusion with appropriate sections answering questions 1 and 2.  It is expected the essay will be well structured with coherent and logical presentation of key ideas in the discussion.

Written Expression, Presentation & Referencing

The essay is presented with minimal spelling, grammatical and typographical errors.  Effective use of literature is evident with appropriate paraphrasing.  Current APA style is used for intext and reference list with minimal errors.

Nursing Assignment Answers: Expert Answers on Above Nursing Case Questions

Case study selected: The case one on Ms X is selected for analysis.

Identification of ethical issues:

The ethical issues identified in the given case are in relation to informed consent, truth telling versus deception, and autonomy versus beneficence. The refusal of Mr acts to find the surgical concerned form indicates the ethical issues in relation to informed consent. The false reassurance that the family is fine suggests the ethical issues of deception and the right of Ms X to make an informed decision conflicts with the duty to save her life. The ethical theories applicable in the scenario includes autonomy which indicates that the patients have the right to make decisions based on information, beneficence in the sense that the healthcare professionals are required to work in the best interest of the patient, utilitarianism which requires undertaking actions that leads to greatest good.

Analysis of ethical issues

The analysis of the given scenario indicates the existence of ethical issues between the respect for autonomy and beneficence. The duty of a nurse is to ensure the well -being of the patient but it conflicts with Ms X’s right to make an informed decision. According to the code of ethics for nurses, it is important for nursing professionals to emphasize honesty, respect and advocacy. The nurse is therefore required to advocate for truthful yet compassionate communication, ensuring Ms X understands the urgency of the surgery without any kind of false reassurance.

Want a Full Worked Out Answer with References?

Check Nursing Assignment Samples Written by Experts

Study Guide and Resources To Assist With Nursing Tasks

The post Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing Practice: Case Study Analysis appeared first on Assignment Help Singapore.