Ethics and Morality Ethical Analysis: A Nursing Situation

Ethical Analysis

Identify the nursing issue

In ancient times, nurses used to take orders from other senior professionals where they were then permitted to initiate routine procedures. Their intellectual skills and reasoning were not valued or fostered. The approach to nursing made any decision regarding medical and ethical issues at the discretion of the doctors. However, nurses in modern settings have realized the therapeutic potential where patients are involved in treatment decisions and course of care. Changes within the nursing profession reflect their desire to be contributory and responsible to the patients' welfare (Peirce & Smith, 2013). Therefore, people who face influences from major decisions dislike policies from unilateral decision-making process. The diversion appears when nurses have good reasons to act and face treatment consequences during daily works.

A 42-year-old woman had malignant breast lump, which was realized after numerous tests were done. Her consultant called for an immediate mastectomy. Her dismay and grief was evident, as she felt aggrieved during the two nights in the hospital. The ward nurse sought to console her for close to two hours during the first night. Surgery was planned for the second day and one of the nurses had to take care of her (Fry, Veatch & Taylor, 2010).

Identify the ethical principles or theories at issue

As the day ended, the patient was seeking information about her treatment and diagnosis with sorrow. She inquired about the opportunities and availability of other forms of treatment. The resident nurse pointed out that she had to discuss with the doctor prior signing the consent form. In a time of arrival by the house surgeon, it was eight o'clock in the evening (Butts & Rich, 2013). The patient required explanations on the procedure, and the bevy of questions presented by the patient shocked the doctor. He explained why the mastectomy procedure was the best alternative. He expressed anger as he left the patient due to the unexpected turn of events between her and the nurse. The doctor reprimanded her for encouraging patients to second-guessed prescribed treatments.

Describe how they conflict

In this case, the nurse was annoyed and explained that she had complied with the best interests of the patient who was seeking more information. She added that she valued informed consent as it implied the right for patients to enquire for more information about alternative treatments (Peirce & Smith, 2013). The conversation did not deter the irritation of the house surgeon because he continued complaining about her actions and reprimanded her the following day.

Identify current law/regulations that may be at issue

It is clear that the reduction of possibilities of taking alternative courses of action in such situations is repeatedly and frequently a better management approach. The strategy prevents future possibilities of conflict and distress. Furthermore, nurses can accept the need to be accountable for the provision of psychological and physical support to patients. The nurses also feel increasingly incomputable in case the contributions to relevant, and continuous care are not taken into account (Fry, Veatch & Taylor, 2010). The lack of concern or consultation on the effects of various ethical decisions to those involved in care giving destroys the esteem and satisfaction of other members of staff. The adverse outcome also includes the reduction of quality of care given.

Medical and nursing education should include joint discussion sessions to addressing treatment and ethical issues. The curricula should be designed to avail more information on the processes and principles considered in the provision of most complementary patient care contributions. An essential element of resource management is the nurse. The professionals give the patients relevant information regarding their condition, treatment, and ways of coping. Contributions by the nursing profession as well as other researchers demonstrates that various forms of information have a positive relationship to recovery as well as lessening discomfort after special tests and surgery. On the other hand, anxiety reduction remains a vital component of the process (Fry, Veatch & Taylor, 2010).

Addressing all the issues raised by patients in an honest manner ensures a sufficient sedation is attained. Augmenting explanations fronted by doctors during the signing consent forms is that sometimes it is beneficial to deal with vexed questions through alternative treatment forms or risk rates. The variant is the regional concept of presenting problems regarding dual loyalty. Maintenance of the trust of patients by a doctor is critical and challenging.

Impact of ANA code of ethics and the Maryland Nurse Practice Act

The ANA code expects that nurses collaborate with individuals under their care. It includes listening to them and responding to their preferences and concerns. Nurses should support people through caring for them and improving their health. Nurses can also recognize and respect...

Opportunities of holding discussions on the differences should be developed (Butts & Rich, 2013). Nurses should gain confidence to express their views. A primary duty in the nursing profession is to remain honest to patients while representing their interests above all others. The advocacy role among nurses requires further studying to be effective and acceptable by doctors. Unilateral decisions in medical issues are justifiable through beliefs of being paternalism. Most doctors feel that they know medicine more than others know and take legal responsibility for actions they induce.
How resolution promotes ethical justice

New medical frameworks allow nurses to adopt more responsibilities in planning and identifying strategies to reduce or resolve illness-related problems. The success of such schemes requires freedom in the acquisition of information related to the patients' welfare. The concept fosters new ways of addressing problems and selecting health care priorities together with the patient and other stakeholders (Butts & Rich, 2013). Nursing work includes performing major tasks prescribed by doctors. Other considerations include involving the assessment and reports of patients' response to various treatments among physicians. Close relationships between the professionals and patients are primarily therapeutic in most cases situations. As a friend, advocate or guide follows when the contact accumulates appreciation between patients and planned nursing staffs.

MEMORANDUM

Name of Professor

15 October 2014

Re: Nurses to Share Treatment Information with Their Patients

In the provision of health care, nurses should consider settings that they serve. Different settings have unique impacts to their ability of providing ethical care. Quality practice settings maintain and create characteristics supportive of the professional nursing practice. Some illustrations include appropriate professional preparation, nurses' respect as accountable decision-makers, suitable nursing practice conditions, and recognition of nursing as a professional entrant. Most scenarios do not make it possible for health care professionals to develop resolutions addressing conflicts that satisfy everyone (Peirce & Smith, 2013). During such times, best possible outcomes are generated through consultations with clients and health care teams. The goal is to achieve identified outcomes through the client's best interests.

Nurses can still acquire individual satisfaction with subsequent resolutions through examination of why they are unsatisfied. Other considerations include the likelihood of implementing follow-up actions. Where resolutions are not reached, a greater level of understanding can be achieved. Similar to other concepts of care, it is important to document all discussions and decisions. In nursing, client choice involves self-determination and the freedom to access necessary information in decision-making (Butts & Rich, 2013). Other elements include issuance of consent or refusal to care. Clients have an awareness of the contexts that they live as well as their respective beliefs and values. In the end, acquisition of the necessary information ensures that they make decisions that best suits the situation.

Clients without competence in critical communication areas many make sound decisions and their immediate caregivers need to be involved in making decisions from such areas. When clients are incompetent, the nurses have to ensure that therapeutic relationships are maintained in the scope and limit possible for each client based on substitute decision-makers (Fry, Veatch & Taylor, 2010). Where client's wishes conflict with the personal values of the nurse and the nurse needs to organize for an alternative caregiver or withdraw from the situation.

Short Questions

A: The Nursing Dilemma

This paper focuses on the need for nurses to share treatment information with their patients. The underlying case is based on the patients' persistent need to get familiar with the doctor's prescription on treatment.

B: Ethical Principle at Use

The principle of autonomy is evident because the patient is given the chance to make a personal decision. The professional code and legal practice expects that nurses collaborate with individuals under their care (Butts & Rich, 2013). It includes listening to them and responding to their preferences and concerns.

C: Source of Conflict

In this case, the nurse was annoyed and explained that she had complied with the best interests of the patient who was seeking more information (Butts & Rich, 2013). She added that she valued informed consent as it implied the right for patients to enquire for more information about alternative treatments.

D: Current law / regulation at use

The Nurse Practice Act touches on this ethical situation where nurses have to promote patient's autonomy…