Ethical Dilemmas in End-of-Life Care: Nursing Practice and Patient Advocacy
Overview
This paper examines ethical dilemmas nurses face in end-of-life care situations, with particular focus on balancing professional nursing codes of ethics with patient autonomy and shared decision-making. Using a case study of Mr. J, the author argues that nurses must serve as patient advocates while facilitating informed decision-making and ensuring dignified end-of-life experiences through collaborative, compassionate care.
What this essay covers
- Introduction to ethical dilemmas in nursing and end-of-life care contexts
- Analysis of nursing's role as patient advocate and facilitator of informed decision-making
- Case study examination of non-beneficial care and ethical considerations in patient care planning
- Discussion of collaborative approach to end-of-life care involving patients, families, and healthcare team
Preview
Nursing Ethics
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Nursing Ethics
Nurses are frequently faced with ethical dilemmas during their practice. These circumstances are common in end-of-life care situations. With the emergence of technology, practitioners have the option of prolonging life or the process of patient’s death. The nurses are expected to provide care that aligns with professional values, clinically appropriate, and aligns with the code of ethics. In this regard, nurses confronted with situations involving end-of-life care are usually not well-prepared to address the ethical issues. The nurses are able to talk with patients as well as their families. Understanding the patient’s beliefs or preferences is essential when deciding the interventions that need to be used in clinical care. Notably, the nurses are also the primary advocates for patients. It is the role of nurses to facilitate a process of informed decision making for the patients. The relationship hospice nurses have with their patients and families offers a natural environment to gather relevant information that can be used in care provision (Cheon, Coyle, Wiegand, & Welsh, 2015).
In the case study, the nurse has been caring for Mr. J for a period of 4 months. The nursing code of ethics outline that nurses must act in the good will of the patient. Every clinical decision made must promote the health and enhance recovery. Clearly, Mr. J will not recover from the illness. The only option is to prolong the dying process.