Ethical Dilemma in Nursing

Term Paper # 116928

This paper discusses the ethical dilemma of nurses to observe a patient's religious beliefs even when doing so can be detrimental to the patient's health and well-being.

1,477 words () | 3 sources | APA | 2009 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper first describes a scenario in which a Jehova's Witness patient who is bleeding to death, requests to abstain from a blood transfusion due to his religious beliefs. This leads to a discussion of the dilemma commonly faced by nurses: observe the patient's religious beliefs and watch him die or proceed with the treatment, despite his wishes? The paper explains that according to the ANA standards of professional performance, the nurse would be obligated to abstain from the treatment. The author then describes that despite this contradicting her own moral principle of beneficence, she would respect the patient's wishes and not proceed with the blood transfusion.

From the Paper:

"Practicing nursing according to the ANA Standards of Professional Performance is extremely important. When facing an ethical dilemma, remembering to preserve the patient's autonomy, dignity and rights would be an important part of ethically solving the dilemma. Basing nursing care on the moral principles of nonmaleficence and beneficence will help me make better decisions with regard to my patients' care. Finally, believing in the ethic of reciprocity will help me practice nursing by doing what is best for my patients each and every time, based on what I would want for myself if in the same situation. Taking these particular ethics and morals with me into my nursing practice will make my career as a nurse a successful one."

Sample of Sources Used:

American Nurses Association. (2004). Scope and standards of nursing practice. Retrieved July 17, 2009 from http://www.statepen.org/ana.htm
Berman, A., Snyder, S.J., Kozier, B., & Erb, G. (2008). Fundamentals of nursing (8th edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
ICN - International Council of Nurses. (2006). The ICN code of ethics for nurses [Brochure]. Geneva, Switzerland: Imprimerie Fornara.