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Nursing Ethical Dilemma

897 Words4 Pages

Introduction
Mr. Ahmad has just been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and his family has requested the healthcare team not to reveal the diagnosis to him, as well as not to treat him. The ethical dilemma encountered by the health care professions in this case scenario is whether, to tell the truth, or hide from him when he asks about his condition. Therefore, this assignment aims to discuss the ethical issue and dilemma with four principles involved such as autonomy, veracity, beneficence and non-maleficence. In addition, I will be discussing the legal issue based on SNB Standards of Practices, “Standard 2: Responsibility and Accountability”

The Ethical Issue
Firstly, one of the ethical principles that support to reveal Mr. Ahmad’s diagnosis …show more content…

Beneficence means that nurses should value patient’s autonomy, also to do good and always act in the greatest advantage of the patient. Based on Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, “Value Statement 4: Respect and preserve clients’ privacy and dignity” that nurses should prevent or resolve any situation in which patients are not given privacy or dignity. Furthermore, render correct care to support an honorable and peaceful passing in situations where life can no longer be continued. For this situation, beneficence should be well-thought-out by the nurses as informing Mr. Ahmad about his condition may let him accomplish his unfinished task of his life. Moreover, it may help in feeling more peaceful and reduce his doubts; therefore, knowing his condition could have been helped him in numerous ways. Thus, the diagnosis should not be withheld as per family’s …show more content…

Malpractice is negligence, offense, or breach of duty by a professional individual that causes a patient to be injured. Much of the time, it includes when a nurse did not meet a standard of care or to deliver care that he or she should deliver in a similar situation. According to Standards of Practices “Standard 2: Responsibility and Accountability”, the nurses have to maintain, practice, respect and promote patient’s autonomy, as well as to provide care in a responsible and accountable manner. However, keeping the truth from a patient will not enable them to come to terms with their condition and give them the alternative for further treatment. Hence, it would be better to tell the patient the truth to guarantee that the nurse will not face any lawful issues unless the patient has a lack of decision-making capacity which could be caused by mental illnesses, such as dementia or being

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