In the field of nursing practice nurses frequently experience situations which encourage them to think about ethical and legal aspects to make decisions. In this case study author will examine different ethical principles and legal possibilities which could be applied to make decision. In this case, a nurse is suffering from debilitating motor neuron disease. She realise that disease is progressive and in short time she will be in last stage of disease. She is worried about emotional and financial effects of disease on her family. Motor neuron disease is rare disease in which patients suffer from degeneration of motor neuron. That leads to debility of muscles, speech problems, muscle jerks and difficulty in breathing and many …show more content…
She is well oriented and well aware about her condition and as per her knowledge she believes her motor neuron disease will affect her family financially and emotionally. few evidences also support her belief in Australia, for example, it is estimated that 14 persons from patient’s close contact will live with impact of motor neuron disease forever ("MND Australia - What is MND?," 2015). Thus, as per autonomy and patients view it may be ethical to support her decision of assisted suicide but Beneficence and Non-maleficence are other important ethics which should also be considered. As no ethical principle overweight the other, the application of ethical principle is based on individual case. As greater good and do not harm ethics suggest that nurse should be prevented from making assisted suicide. It is a fact that, patients suffer many unbearable problems due to motor neuron disease but reasonable palliative and supportive treatment is available to help the patients of motor neuron diseases. Many new research studies suggest that in UK about 98% of people died quietly who were suffering from motor neuron disease and 50% of those died at home ("motor neuron disease," 2011). Thus, as per nurse perspective, it is necessary to inform a patient about possibilities of positive outcome available as a palliative and supportive