Concept Map of a nursing ethical dilemma

Concept Map
Ethical dilemma in nursing takes place when the experiences of the registered nurse are conflicting with personal values as well as beliefs and some element of patient care. One of the key moral dilemmas that a nurse can face while providing care is the treatment of a patient at the end of life. Towards the patient’s end of life, there is usually a problem as to which course of treatment ought to be rendered to the patient. The nurse is expected to provide palliative care with the main objective of relieving the suffering of the patients through the extensive examination and treatment of bodily, spiritual, as well as psychosomatic symptoms faced by patients. However, the nurse may face conflict from the family who necessitate aggressive patient care during this time rather than palliative care (Rome et al., 2011).
The illustration above is a concept map that delineates an instance of nursing ethical dilemma. It is imperative to note that nurses within their everyday medical care responsibilities are faced with moral and ethical dilemmas that become predicaments and are difficult to deal with and make decisions on. The concept map above indicates the ethical dilemma where the nursing is experiencing a family insisting on aggressive care for the patient at the end of life. As is indicated, some of the reasons why family members would insist on such a treatment plan is owing to the lack of knowledge, their need for attaining control of the medical decisions for the patient, fear of loss and also guilt. Families usually find it hard and are disinclined to come to the acceptance that death is inevitable. Families usually have the conviction that the decision as to what kind of care the patient receives is partly up to them. Therefore, the fear of loss brings a dilemma with the nurse even when the right thing is to provide palliative care until the patient passes on (Belluck, 2005). Key reasons associated to the main concept encompasses the family’s sense of responsibility for the care and health of the patient as their loved on. For instance, a mother will feel responsible for making sure her child is well. A second reason is the failure to understand the prevailing medical procedures required by the patient. More often than not, families do not believe that some medical situations cannot be solved. They always anticipate a medical miracle for the doctors and therefore when given the option of providing palliative care at the patient’s end of life, it become a difficult thing to accept. Third, there is also the endeavor of not losing a loved one. There is no individual that finds it easy to let go of a loved one. The family will more often than not insist on finding another course of treatment to ensure the patient does not die. Lastly, if the patient also does not have a do-not-resuscitate then it becomes possible for the family to insist on aggressive care even at the end of life (Zerwekh, 2005).
References
Belluck, P. (2005). Even as Doctors Say Enough, Families Fight to Prolong Life. New York Times. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/27/us/even-as-doctors-say-enough-families-fight-to-prolong-life.html
Rome, R. B., Luminais, H. H., Bourgeois, D. A., & Blais, C. M. (2011). The role of palliative care at the end of life. The Ochsner Journal, 11(4), 348-352.
Zerwekh, J. V. (2005). Nursing Care at the End of Life: Palliative Care for Patient and Families. FA Davis.