The job of a nurse is multidimensional, they are leaders, they are teachers, and they provide therapeutic nurse-client relationships. Therefore, it should be of no surprise, that the nursing profession is rated the top trusted profession for honesty and ethical standards according to a recent poll conducted by Gallup (Newpart, 2012, para. 1). Nursing like many other professional organizations have standards of practice in which to guide their decisions, and provide a framework for the resolution of issues. However, with the growing complexity of ethical dilemmas now facing our health care system, nurses are often left questioning according to Walton (2013) “what should we do, [rather than,] what can we do” (as cited in Black, 2014). What is
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373) which is based on pure reason that is formed by absolute rules (Tuckett, 1998, p. 221). This theory would suggest that the most appropriate course of action would be to follow the professional and legal standards of the nursing profession, including the various healthcare act as they pertain to the province of Ontario. For example, the Personal Health Information Protection Act (2004) was mandated “to establish rules for the collection, use and disclosure of personal health information” (sec., 1.a). However, deontological theory according to Tuckett (1998) is unclear, “when confronted by conflicting but equally binding obligations” (p. 222) as in the case with Jack’s nurse. After carefully comparing both theories the deontological, while flawed in some areas, tends to fit better with the ethical issue at hand because it deals with absolute rules. Moving forward with this theory however, requires being able to identify and apply the various ethical principles pertaining to this …show more content…
(2009) which is broken down into five main categories: identification, alternatives, evaluation, resolutions, and decision. (p. 1-2). First an analytical review of the known facts. Jack, an HIV-positive patient discloses to his nurse that he does not wish to inform his pregnant wife about his health status, resulting in an ethical dilemma. This dilemma is further compound by the conflicting duties of the nurse, including but not limited to: the patient’s right to privacy and confidentiality, the therapeutic nurse-client relationship, and the legal duty to report communicable disease. There are a few questions however that remain unknown, which depending on their answer would create a sense of urgency such as, whether or not Jack is attempting to infect his wife Aimee, and when is Aimee expecting to deliver because a caesarean section might be performed in order to reduce the risk of transmission of an infectious disease. Finally the nurse should include a family assessment which according to McDonald (2009) identifies “the various roles, relationships, and relevant stories” (p. 1) which in this case would provide very useful
373) which is based on pure reason that is formed by absolute rules (Tuckett, 1998, p. 221). This theory would suggest that the most appropriate course of action would be to follow the professional and legal standards of the nursing profession, including the various healthcare act as they pertain to the province of Ontario. For example, the Personal Health Information Protection Act (2004) was mandated “to establish rules for the collection, use and disclosure of personal health information” (sec., 1.a). However, deontological theory according to Tuckett (1998) is unclear, “when confronted by conflicting but equally binding obligations” (p. 222) as in the case with Jack’s nurse. After carefully comparing both theories the deontological, while flawed in some areas, tends to fit better with the ethical issue at hand because it deals with absolute rules. Moving forward with this theory however, requires being able to identify and apply the various ethical principles pertaining to this …show more content…
(2009) which is broken down into five main categories: identification, alternatives, evaluation, resolutions, and decision. (p. 1-2). First an analytical review of the known facts. Jack, an HIV-positive patient discloses to his nurse that he does not wish to inform his pregnant wife about his health status, resulting in an ethical dilemma. This dilemma is further compound by the conflicting duties of the nurse, including but not limited to: the patient’s right to privacy and confidentiality, the therapeutic nurse-client relationship, and the legal duty to report communicable disease. There are a few questions however that remain unknown, which depending on their answer would create a sense of urgency such as, whether or not Jack is attempting to infect his wife Aimee, and when is Aimee expecting to deliver because a caesarean section might be performed in order to reduce the risk of transmission of an infectious disease. Finally the nurse should include a family assessment which according to McDonald (2009) identifies “the various roles, relationships, and relevant stories” (p. 1) which in this case would provide very useful