Ethical Dilemma-Jordyn Moore

Running head: ETHICAL DILEMMA
Ethical Dilemma
Jordyn Moore
Grand Canyon University: NSG-436
April 17, 2020

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ETHICAL DILEMMA
Ethical Dilemma
Ethics is based off of moral principles that influences one’s decisions and actions in
situations. When it comes to ethical dilemmas, one could be torn against their morals in order to
make a proper decision in a certain situation. An individual that is part of an ethical dilemma
must consider what the right thing to do is, even if it is against their personal beliefs. This paper
will analyze a specific ethical dilemma that involves spirituality and life saving measures,
strategies that could be used in order to overcome the dilemma, and solutions to the ethical issue
at hand.
Ethical Dilemma Analysis
In many emergency situations, blood is given to patients in order to save their lives. This
life-saving measure can be refused for many different reasons, one reason can be due to the
individual’s spirituality. Jehovah’s Witness refuse blood transfusions due to their religion’s
interpretation of scriptural passages (Chand, Subramanya, & Rao, 2014) It is common for
Jehovah’s Witnesses to carry a card that states that blood transfusions are prohibited. If a
Jehovah’s Witness does not have the medical card with them and is involved in an emergent
situation where they cannot speak for themselves and require blood, an ethical dilemma will
arise. The healthcare team at this point would have to decide whether or not to give the patient
blood or to respect the individual’s spirituality. This ethical depends on the situation that is
present. For example, if there is no blood card, advance directive, or written documents from the
patient prior to the accident, physicians are required to perform life-saving measures which may
include administration of blood (Chand, Subramanya, & Rao, 2014). Failure to perform life-
saving measures could possibly result in criminal charges are negligence and if the patient dies
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ETHICAL DILEMMA
one can be charged with culpable homicide (Petrini, 2014). Physicians and nurses make an oath
to apply all measures that are required to help the sick making them obligated to perform life-
saving measures in this type of situation.
Strategies Used to Make a Decision
It is difficult to make a decision in an ethical dilemma that involves one’s life. First, it is
key for one to assess their own beliefs about the situation. This because in order to make an
ethical decision, one’s judgement must not be based off of feelings. Another strategy commonly
used in ethical dilemmas is the Ethical Decision-Making Model. This model is used to help clear
one’s mind and really address the issue at hand. The healthcare team must identify the problem,
apply the code of ethics to the issue, determine the nature of the dilemma, come up with possible
solutions, consider consequences of all possible solutions, evaluates the course of action, and
then implement the action (Forester-Miller, & Davis, 2016) This allows the team to take in
consideration other life-saving options, analyze treatment options, and choose the best treatment
that results in fewer consequences.
Solutions
In an ideal world, all patients who refuse to receive blood would carry a blood card with
them. Due to this not occurring, it is important to establish policies within the hospital when it
comes to ethical dilemmas regarding blood transfusions. These polices need to be able to protect
healthcare workers and have all of staff on the same level of understand when it comes to the
care of patients in these types of situations. Nursing Code of Ethics is the framework of decision-
making during ethical dilemmas because it provides guidance on what is expected from nurses
and states values that nurses are required to hold (O’Brochta, Meloni, Raghupathy, Pfeiffer, &
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ETHICAL DILEMMA
Taylor, 2012). In emergent situations like this, democratic type leadership is required in order to
explore all options and work as a team to care for the patient at hand.
Conclusion
Ethical dilemmas put all healthcare team members in a difficult situation. It is important
for all health care staff to assess their own moral beliefs, and to not allow their feelings cloud
their judgement. When it comes to lifesaving measures with a patient who spirituality may
interfere with the care, all options must be explored, consequences of the actions need be
addressed, and the treatment has to be agreed upon as a team. Policies should be created in order
to have a better understanding as to what is expected when dealing with ethical dilemmas. There
will never be a right or wrong option when dealing with ethical situations, what truly matters is
how it is handle and if all possible options are considered.

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ETHICAL DILEMMA
References
Chand, N., Subramanya, H., & Rao, G. (2014). Management of Patients Who Refuse Blood
Transfusion. Indian Journal of Anesthesia, 58(5), 658. doi: 10.4103/0019-5049.144680
Forester-Miller, H., & Davis, T. (2016). Practitioner’s Guide to Ethical Decision Making.
Retrieved from https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/ethics/practioner-39-s-
guide-to-ethical-decision-making.pdf?sfvrsn=10
O'Brochta, M., Meloni, G., Raghupathy, S., Pfeiffer, P., & Taylor, M. (2012). The Leader's
Choice: Five Steps to Ethical Decision Making. Retrieved from
https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/leaders-choice-ethical-decision-making-6031
Petrini, C. (2014). Ethical and Legal Aspects Of Refusal Of Blood Transfusions by Jehovah’s
Witnesses, With Particular Reference to Italy. Blood Transfusion. doi:
10.2450/2013.0017-13

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Running head: ETHICAL DILEMMA

Grand Canyon University: NSG-436

April 17, 2020

Ethical Dilemma Analysis

saving measures in this type of situation.

Strategies Used to Make a Decision

that results in fewer consequences.

how it is handle and if all possible options are considered.

Transfusion. Indian Journal of Anesthesia, 58(5), 658. doi: 10.4103/0019-5049.144680

Retrieved from https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/ethics/practioner-39-s-

Choice: Five Steps to Ethical Decision Making. Retrieved from

Witnesses, With Particular Reference to Italy. Blood Transfusion. doi:

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