A HISTORY OF NURSING ETHICS

Full Answer Section

      Nurse Gloria's Options Nurse Gloria has a few different options in this situation:

• Follow the doctor's instructions and have Mr. Isaacs sign the consent form. This would be the quickest and easiest option, but it would also be the most unethical. If Mr. Isaacs does not understand what he is signing, he is not giving true informed consent.
• Delay the procedure and have the doctor come back to talk to Mr. Isaacs. This would be the most ethical option, but it would also be the most time-consuming and disruptive.
• Try her best to explain the consent form to Mr. Isaacs and get his signature. This is a middle-ground option, but it is still risky. If Mr. Isaacs does not understand what he is signing, even after Nurse Gloria's explanation, he is still not giving true informed consent.

My Response and Actions If I were Nurse Gloria, I would choose to delay the procedure and have the doctor come back to talk to Mr. Isaacs. This is the most ethical option, even though it is the most time-consuming and disruptive. I would explain to the doctor my concerns about Mr. Isaacs' understanding of the consent form. I would also explain that I am not comfortable having him sign the form until I am sure that he understands what he is signing. If the doctor is unwilling to come back and talk to Mr. Isaacs, I would refuse to have him sign the consent form. I would also document my concerns in Mr. Isaacs' medical record. I understand that this could put my job at risk. However, I believe that it is important to stand up for what is right, even if it is difficult. Conclusion This ethical dilemma is a reminder of the importance of informed consent. Patients have the right to make their own decisions about their healthcare, and they must be fully informed about the risks, benefits, and alternatives to any proposed treatment before they consent to it. Healthcare professionals have a duty to respect patients' autonomy and to obtain their informed consent before providing any treatment. If a healthcare professional is not sure that a patient understands what they are signing, they should not have the patient sign a consent form.  

Sample Solution

   

Nurse Gloria is in a difficult ethical dilemma. She has been instructed by the attending physician to have Mr. Isaacs sign a consent form for a scheduled colonoscopy, but she is not sure that he understands what he is signing.

Ethical Principles

The following ethical principles are relevant to this scenario:

• Autonomy: Patients have the right to make their own decisions about their healthcare.
• Informed consent: Patients have the right to be informed about the risks, benefits, and alternatives to any proposed treatment before they consent to it.
• Beneficence: Healthcare professionals have a duty to act in the best interests of their patients.
• Non-maleficence: Healthcare professionals have a duty to avoid harming their patients.