Nurses frequently encounter ethical dilemmas in their practice. These situations occur when there are two or more conflicting ethical principles, making it challenging to determine the right course of action. Common ethical principles include autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Nurses must use critical thinking, professional guidelines, and personal judgement to navigate these dilemmas.
Some common ethical dilemmas in nursing include issues of informed consent, end-of-life care decisions, and allocation of scarce resources. Nurses must balance these complex issues while maintaining professional integrity and supporting patient care.
Informed consent is a fundamental ethical principle in healthcare. It involves providing patients with all necessary information to make informed decisions about their treatment. However, ethical dilemmas arise when patients refuse treatment that healthcare providers believe is in the patient's best interest. Nurses must navigate these situations by respecting patient autonomy while also advocating for patient welfare.