Describe a situation of ethical dilemma that you have experienced in practice and how it was resolved.
Submission Instructions:
- Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources published within the last 5 years. Your initial post is worth 8 points.
In my nursing practice, I encountered an ethical dilemma related to patient autonomy and beneficence when caring for an elderly patient with terminal cancer. The patient, Mr. Smith, had been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and was experiencing severe pain and discomfort despite aggressive pain management measures. His oncologist had recommended starting palliative chemotherapy to potentially extend his life expectancy and improve his quality of life. However, Mr. Smith was adamantly against receiving any further treatment and expressed his desire to focus solely on comfort care measures and spending quality time with his family during his remaining days.
As a nurse, I found myself torn between respecting Mr. Smith’s autonomy and ensuring that he received the best possible care to alleviate his suffering. On one hand, I understood and respected his right to make autonomous decisions about his treatment and end-of-life care. On the other hand, I felt a moral obligation to advocate for interventions that could potentially provide him with relief from his pain and improve his overall well-being, even if it meant going against his wishes.
To address this ethical dilemma, I engaged in open and honest communication with Mr. Smith and his family to better understand his values, beliefs, and treatment preferences. I listened attentively to his concerns and fears regarding chemotherapy and acknowledged his autonomy in making decisions about his care. Additionally, I provided him with detailed information about the potential benefits and risks of palliative chemotherapy, ensuring that he had all the necessary information to make an informed decision.
During our discussions, Mr. Smith expressed his desire to prioritize quality of life over quantity of life and emphasized his wish to avoid any treatment-related side effects or complications that could further diminish his quality of life. He reiterated his preference for comfort care measures, including pain management, symptom control, and emotional support.
After carefully considering Mr. Smith’s wishes and weighing the potential benefits and risks of palliative chemotherapy, I ultimately respected his autonomy and supported his decision to forego further treatment. I collaborated with the interdisciplinary team to develop a comprehensive palliative care plan focused on managing his symptoms, providing emotional support to him and his family, and ensuring a peaceful and dignified end-of-life experience.
In resolving this ethical dilemma, I learned the importance of patient-centered care, effective communication, and shared decision-making in honoring patients’ autonomy and promoting their well-being. By respecting Mr. Smith’s autonomy and advocating for his preferences, I was able to uphold ethical principles while providing compassionate and holistic care tailored to his individual needs and values.
Describe a situation of ethical dilemma that you have experienced in practice and how it was resolved.
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