...nurse, ethical dilemmas can arise at any moment. It is imperative that through proper education and training registered nurses have the ethical capacity and intelligence to work through these issues with compassion and integrity. Take into account he following case scenario; a 6-year-old child develops a high fever, vomiting, and convulsions at school. After seeking medical care, the diagnosis of meningitis is reached and the physician requests to start treatment from the child’s parents. The parents are divorced; the mother has primary custody but is not the biological parent. The mother is a Christian Scientist who insists that no medical treatment be initiated per her religious beliefs. The biological father resides in another state, but he insists that treatment be initiated and seeks independent consultation from another physician. Through ethical decision making with assistance from Uustal’s nine-step model, it is possible to identify the ethical dilemma presented, integrate the decision-making model to identify an ethical solution, and incorporate family dialogue to both parents of the child regarding the issue at hand. When an ethical decision must be made, one must first identify the ethical dilemma. "...An ethical dilemma is a common type of situation that involves two, or more, morally correct courses of action that cannot both be followed” (Purtilo, Ruth & Doherty, 2011, p. 57). Ethical dilemmas involve both ethical conflict and conduct. "An ethical dilemma occurs...
Words: 456 - Pages: 2
...Applying Ethical Frameworks In Practice Ellen Kincaid Grand Canyon University NRS-437V-0504 September 5, 2015 Applying Ethical Frameworks In Practice When it comes to ethical dilemmas we can all feel challenged with complex decisions that are difficult to make. Ethical dilemmas refer to problems that arise which usually involve more than one moral correct mode of actions involving the individual responsible and the individual correcting the situation. The individual resolving the situation is often challenged by the fact that in either option he takes, he or she may be right about taking one option but wrong about leaving the other. Ethical dilemmas test our ability to use our morals and values as well as ethical principals that we have learned through out life, and put them into actions by weighing these beliefs and being able to determine the difference between right and wrong. For that reason is imperative that nursing professionals are well aware of their own beliefs, moral and values, so they can make correct ethical decisions especially when it comes to health care delivery. Ethical Dilemma I this case we have a 6 y/o child, which gets very sick while at school. The child presents with elevated temperature, vomiting and convulsing. The child is immediately taken to the closest hospital and is quickly diagnosed with meningitis. The attending physician is now requesting authorization to treat the child from the parents. The child’s parents are divorced and now...
Words: 1391 - Pages: 6
...AN ETHICAL DILEMMA Analysis of an Ethical Dilemma in Society Geana Terry Grand Canyon University NRS 437V May 8, 2011 Analysis of an Ethical Dilemma in Society Nurses and society are faced with ethical dilemmas on a daily basis. Ethical dilemmas are difficult situations that have conflicting moral claims and can cause great distress to those who face the problem. In dealing with ethical dilemmas we use a systematic process which aids us in determining a reasonable solution to the dilemma. It is important to use not only an emotional perspective but an objective and cognitive perspective as well. Combining our values and morals in our decision making will have a huge impact in the end result of our decision. A recent event that has happened in our society involves a parent who has given his toddler liquid cannabis without doctor knowledge. This situation was aired on ABC News on May 5, 2011. The article is titled “Montana Dad Gives Cancer-Stricken Boy Marijuana Behind Doctor’s Back” (James, 2011). A two year old child named Cash was diagnosed with a stage four brain tumor. He lived in Montana and was taken to Salt Lake City, Utah for extensive chemo therapy treatment. He suffered septic shock, a stroke, and a pulmonary hemorrhage. The child was extremely sick and went 40 days without eating. Due to the nature of his illness his body was shutting down and the family was frightened. Doctors were doing everything possible for this child. The...
Words: 1381 - Pages: 6
...Do Not Resuscitate Orders in Pediatric Patients Ethical Issues in Healthcare Abstract Children with terminal illnesses frequently have do not resuscitate orders. Dealing with dying children, and letting them die without major intervention can be hard issues for nursing and other health care professionals to cope with, and can cause an internal ethical dilemma. The seven nursing ethical principles are discussed in regards to do not resuscitate orders, and ethical theory is applied. The ethical dilemma faced by nurses with do not resuscitate order is discussed, and how to resolve it. Do Not Resuscitate Orders in Pediatric Patients Children throughout the United States are diagnosed with terminal diseases daily. Once medical treatments begin to not further the quality of life of the child, discussions will begin with the family to consider a do not resuscitate order. A do not resuscitate order is intended to protect the patient from resuscitative efforts that are not wanted by the patient and family (Baker et al., 2010). As a charge nurse at a pediatric ventilator unit, do not resuscitate status comes into discussion frequently, and it is an uncomfortable topic for some. A do not resuscitate order on a child can cause an internal ethical dilemma for nurses. Children are seen as lively beings, and are supposed to outlive their elders. Also there are many myths surrounding do not resuscitate orders with both family members and members of the healthcare team. Some...
Words: 1866 - Pages: 8
...understand them better. I do not want to approach this situation like I know more than do or I am better qualified than they are. They are the family and the primary caretakers of the child so with any request they come to me with about their child, as a professional, I must approach the matter with care and respect. However, I want to understand why they made this request. What is behind their thoughts, are they fearful of something, do...
Words: 1169 - Pages: 5
...Ethical Decisions Laura Redman Grand Canyon University: Ethical Decision Making in Health Care: NRS 437V May 17, 2015 An ethical dilemma can occur in nursing and medicine daily. The conflicts between religious beliefs and medical science are especially challenging when the beliefs reject medical intervention. This scenario involves a 6 year old boy requiring hospitalization for meningitis. The physician has requested permission to proceed with a specific plan of care. Disagreement on the treatment offered, divorce without shared custody, and religious beliefs create an ethical dilemma. Ethical Dilemma The dilemma consists of medical treatment versus prayer without medical treatment. “Meningitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord known as the meninges. The inflammation is usually caused by an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord” (Centers for Disease Control and Intervention, 2014). Meningitis can be caused by bacteria, virus, fungi, parasites, or non-infectious means (CDC, 2014). The ethical dilemma here is whether to allow the mother to deny medical care to her son because of religious beliefs, or to proceed with the plan of care the physician recommends, and the father has agreed with. This dilemma is further complicated by the fact that the biological father is not the custodial parent, and is living in another state. The mother is the custodial...
Words: 1203 - Pages: 5
...Confounding Ethical Dilemmas All children are brought into this world and deserve to have an adult act in their best interest. There are several factors that influence the way that their caregiver makes decisions about the child’s education, religious teachings, and health care (Purtilo & Doherty, 2011). Religious beliefs can affect the decision-making process regarding the type of medical care that the parent is willing to let physicians perform (Purtilo & Doherty, 2011). An example of this are individuals that practice the Christian Science religion (New York Times, 2016). This religion teaches the parishioners that all illnesses are caused by fear, a disconnection from God, and mental factors (New York Times, 2016). Parents of children that practice Christian Science believe that when their child is ill that spiritual healing will cure the child (New York Times, 2016). The parents will have an expert spiritual healer from the church come to help them cope and figure out the mental roots of the illness (New York Times, 2016). The case of a child that has divorced parents that are not in agreement about medical treatment for a seriously ill child creates an ethical dilemma (Purtilo & Doherty, 2011). The dilemma that the physician faces is whether to withhold treatment per the mother’s request due to religious beliefs or provide treatment per the biological father’s request (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2016). Health care professionals should override religious beliefs when...
Words: 1368 - Pages: 6
...Personal Nursing Ethics Laurie Stein Grand Canyon University: NRS-437V Ethical Decision Making In Healthcare October 12, 2012 Personal Nursing Ethics Growing up in a rural Midwest farming area in a family of 11 people I learned at an early age how important family and people in the surrounding community were to me. My family and the majority of my small community were devout Catholics. Our social life revolved around church, family and friends. My parents taught myself and my siblings the value of friendship, being kind to your neighbors and respect for others and their property. Sometimes I thought they were almost too strict but did realize later that this discipline provided the basis for what I am today. As I prepared to venture out into the world after graduation I knew I was a “people person” and pursued a degree in medical assisting. As a medical assistant I felt that I was an integral part of the patients’ lives. Providing medical care was important but many of these patients knew they could talk and confide in me about other things whether it was a personal problem or family problem or maybe they just needed someone to listen. It was here that the values that I was taught by my parents became so important. Sometimes I was faced with some ethic decisions in regards to my religion as a medical assistant when having to assist with vasectomies. The rhythm method is the only birth control practice accepted by the Catholic Church. To assist with this procedure...
Words: 966 - Pages: 4
...Running head: APPLYING ETHICAL FRAMEWORK IN PRACTICE Applying Ethical Framework in Practice Jaclyn Hughes Grand Canyon University: NRS-437V August 21, 2011 Applying Ethical Framework in Practice Patient confidentiality is one thing that cannot be breached nor as a patient that you would want to be breached. In this day and age as healthcare professionals it is a very fine line of what breaching confidentiality is. We all want to know that when we are sick and in the hospital, the one thing that we can keep personal is our privacy which would include our health information. It is hard to imagine that in a state of vulnerability that some things must be disclosed to certain departments regardless of your desire to keep it private and confidential; some examples include: domestic violence, child abuse, rape, psychiatric evaluations, and communicable diseases. These situations if not taken care of could cause more harm to the patient. Knowing your ethical principles and nursing code of ethics allows for the nurse to make a moral and ethical decision based on the five basic principles without breaching confidentiality and doing what is morally and ethically right for the patient. A patient’s trust is sacred and breaching that information is a violation of the trust between the relationship of the nurse and the patient (Burkhardt & Nathaniel, 2008). An ethical implication of a breach of confidentiality would include: patient confidentiality and informed consent for...
Words: 1231 - Pages: 5
...I. Introduction Anna Kazin’s is a new mom to a premature baby, but she is also a social worker of a middle-aged man who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer who became unstable due to the shocking news. While on duty Ms. Kazin’s receives a call from her child’s caretaker, requesting Anna to return home immediately because her child is really sick. This causes Anna to become worried and is now facing a dilemma since her client became extremely upset and is crying. Not only is her child ill but she is the only social worker on staff. Anna decided to tell her client that she must return home to look after her infant. Anna’s client told her to stay with him for a little while until he became more stable. The people who should be involved in the decision-making process to solve this problem are Anna and Anna’s supervisor. There are various options Anna could take, but...
Words: 1713 - Pages: 7
...Week 7 Ethical Dilemma Paper Jered Gordner Professor Cuzzone HUMN-232 Week 7 Ethical Dilemma Paper As with many industries today, the healthcare industry is fraught with ethically dilemmas one can be involved with on an almost ongoing, daily basis. Since there are so many different arms and hands in so many different cookie jars, it’s easy to get lost in all the ethical dilemmas that could amass before your very eyes. On the professional side of the equation you may run into the dilemma of having a child from humble beginnings, without the means to pay, become struck down with a disease undocumented and unlike anything that is currently on the books. Do you treat the child pro-bono or do you let them go untreated and more than likely die? On the insurance side (something I’ve personally run into) one of the men in a gay couple, who has been together for 30 years, is in the hospital and the other man needs to know the medication his partner is on so the pharmacy will release it to him. Since they are not legally married they do not have the same rights and access to information as a straight married couple. Do you go against HIPAA and release the information or do you withhold it because of the law? These two dilemmas are not uncommon in the health industry. Doctors and nurses come across patients with no insurance on a daily basis and more often than not, they are forced to turn them away untreated. This ethical decision can weigh heavily on their heads. I find this...
Words: 1620 - Pages: 7
...Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice Dawn M. Biggs Grand Canyon University: Ethical Decision Making in Healthcare March 29, 2015 Applying ethical decision making in the everyday practice in healthcare can be complicated. Healthcare providers must look at both sides of the issue while taking into account what is in the patient’s best interest while at the same time not letting their own opinions and beliefs dictate the decision making process. While one’s own values and ethics can help the process take shape it must never overrule the process and influence the decision. Case Scenario: “A 6-year-old develops a high fever accompanied by violent vomiting and convulsions while at school. The child is rushed to a nearby hospital. The attending physician makes a diagnosis of meningitis and requests permission to initiate treatment from the parents. The child’s parents are divorced. The mother, who is not the biological parent of the child, has primary custody. She is a Christian Scientist who insists that no medical treatment be offered for religious reasons. The biological father, who resides in another state, is also contacted. He insists that treatment be given and seeks independent consultation from another physician” (Ethical Decision Making-Week 3). The ethical dilemma takes shape due to opposing views from the parents in regards to medical treatment of the child. The mom is refusing to give consent for medical treatment due to religious beliefs and the father wants...
Words: 1500 - Pages: 6
...Applying Ethical Framework in Practice Grand Canyon University: NRS – 437V June 14, 2015 Ethics and Nursing Practice This paper will address the use of the Uustal’s decision making models in regards to analyzing a specific scenario that has precipitated an ethical dilemma in regards to providing medical care. The scenario consist of a 6-year-old who has developed a high fever accompanied by violent vomiting and convulsions while at school. The hospital physician makes a diagnosis of meningitis and requested to begin treatment. The child’s parents are divorced with the mother, who is not the biological parent retaining custody. The mother is a Christian Scientist and is refusing medical treatment due to religious reasons. The child’s biological father requests that treatment be provided and that another independent physician be consulted in regards to the care. The Ethical Dilemma A large responsibility of being a parent to make decisions on how to best care for their children. This encompasses how to best discipline them, what activities they may engage in, what foods they eat, and the medical care they receive. Parents have a duty to assure that the decisions they make take into account what is in the best interest of their child. As medical personnel we are both ethically and legally responsible to advocate for our patients. When a parents decisions may likely cause injury, be abusive, or be derelict it is our duty to address that decision. Medical personnel...
Words: 1657 - Pages: 7
...Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice Ethical dilemmas are situations that nurses frequently encounter in their profession. It can involve two or more different courses of action that can’t both be acted on, placing the agent in an uncertain position (Purtilo & Doherty, 2011). Ethical dilemmas place the agent with two different courses of action that leading to two very different outcomes. Ethical dilemmas include one’s own personal values, beliefs and sense of right and wrong. When a nurse is faced with this sort of dilemma, they will need to examine their own beliefs and values. The ethical dilemma being presented in the paper is a six year old who a minor. The physician must legally get consent from the child’s legal guardian to proceed with medical care. The person who has primary custody of the child is not the child’s biological mother and is citing her religious beliefs to denying treatment. However, the biological father lives in another state and wants to seek treatment. It is the custodial mother’s right to deny treatment, and the biological father’s right to want to seek treatment, hence both choices that can end in two very different outcomes. When a difficult case like this arises and a decision must be made quickly, it is vital that a decision that is the most ethical and the best approach to solving the ethical situation at hand. The decision making model that will be used and discussed in the paper to solve this ethical dilemma process that includes...
Words: 1049 - Pages: 5
...Ethical Ethical Dilemmas 1 Mayah, a 2.5 years old child in your care, get extremely tired and agitated after lunch each day but her parents have strongly suggested they do not want Mayah to have a nap as they find it hard to get her to sleep at night if she sleeps during the day care. The staff member decides to let Mayah sleep as she believes the child really needs it. The parents visit at the time the child is sleeping and complains to the director about this matter: Recognition of the dilemma: I chose the Ethical dilemma 1, I will start with my role as a parent. As a parent, I was really annoyed because your centre hasn’t provided the services that I expect. I have made it clear what services I expect so you should follow the instructions what I have given. Mayah doesn’t get enough sleep due to Mayah being awake at night if she has had a nap during the day. As a result, the staff member broke the sleep routine which I am trying so hard to make for her. Legal aspects Qin Bao (parent): I know the UNCROC, the government policies and your centre policies which all state the children have right to sleep and rest. Under the Education & Care Services National Regulations (the National Regulations), (2012). Regulation 81: The approved provider of an education and care service must take reasonable steps to ensure that the needs for sleep and rest of children being educated and cared for by the service are met, having regard to the ages, development stages and individual needs...
Words: 2207 - Pages: 9
