Case study. Ethical Dilemmas in Allen's Family - Term Paper Example

? Ethical Dilemmas in Allen’s Family Task: Outline I. Introduction II. Ethical Dilemmas in Allen’s Family The Dilemma of Autonomy Beneficence Dilemma III. The Role of a Nurse IV. Applying an Ethical Reasoning Model in Solving Allen’s Family Problems V. Conclusion Allen’s Family Introduction Ethical dilemmas are frequent in most families and in the health systems. Allen’s family presents a good example of such cases. Ethical dilemmas complicate care process. This is by the virtue that, dilemmas challenge concepts of nursing. Inviting crucial decision-making schemes provides the only solution to these dilemmas (Harding, 2010). Therefore, this paper accesses ethical dilemmas presented by the Allen family, surveys the opportunity of the role of a nurse and the idea of initiating decision-making model in sourcing a solution to the family’s problems. Ethical Dilemmas in Allen’s Family Apparent ethical dilemmas challenging Allen’s family are Autonomy and Beneficence. Autonomy invites an idea of liberty of option. Autonomy’s context avails the patients with the right of adopting their preference in matters regarding treating. Beneficence involves the idea of initiating the best practices for solving patient’s condition (Harding, 2010). This mainly advocates for being good to the patients to help them emerge out of their situations. Although these terms advocates for imperative ideas, they presents dilemma in care procedures. The Dilemma of Autonomy A chief actor unveiling the dilemma of autonomy is Clifford Allen. Allen’s is scuffling with a condition of depression. His condition has a medical solution but he is not ready to seek assistance. According to Allen, his condition is a weakness but not a sickness and he claims to have a personal solution to his problem. He only takes medications for other conditions; for instance, he frequently visits a physician for his BPH tests but he never discusses his depression problem. This implicates a stern challenge since understanding the right option to adopt becomes difficult. The autonomy principle allows Allen a choice of defining his fate by the virtue that he has a sober mind (Harding, 2010). However, taking medication seems a better solution to Allen’s problem. This creates a dilemma on the matter. Additionally, Pamela’ case reveals the idea clearly. Pamela presents a similar case as one with her husband. She constantly refuses to take chemotherapy and radiation prescriptions until her condition worsen. She feels that chemotherapy is not a good option for her condition. However, this is not the case because her health improves substantially after accepting the treatment. This implies that, subscribing chemotherapy was an ideal option for her condition but since Pamela has rights of choice according to autonomy postulate, imposing treatment is not justifiable. This develops the stand of autonomy as an ethical predicament. Importantly, Allen fails to uphold an initiative of autonomy. He is a victim of supremacy intricate. Allen himself refuses to take treatment because of his reasons; however, he strongly disputes the idea of his wife refusal of chemotherapy. He fails to remember that his wife also has a freedom of determining his fate. Consequently, he hates Pamela and he is not willing to relate with her stand. Indeed this position augments his depression hitch hence posing challenges to his health. A clear understanding and critical handling of the dilemma presented by the concept of autonomy would create a better environment in which they could substantially fight their problems. Beneficence Dilemma Numerous aspects in the family depicts beneficence dilemma. The spirit of adopting good practices to assist patients sometimes present challenging situations. Pamela presents a good paradigm of the impact of the idea of beneficence. She has risky determinations in ensuring her family overcomes their challenges. She quits her job to take care for her son. Moreover, she is very sensitive on her husband’s condition. Although the spirit of observing good practices is justifiable, the extremity associated with Pamela’s effort is perilous. She is lost into caring for Gary and Allen that she forgets her health state. Surprisingly, she observes that her heath is excellent. Notably, the concern that worries her about her deteriorating health is the fear that in case of her absence, her husband may fail to accord the appropriate care to their son. Importantly, Allen and Pamela’s actions best explains the dilemma of beneficence. The notion of Allen and Pamela treatment refusal attracts a dilemma. A perceptible feeling would be the two require treatments. However, the positions stands challenged since the victims are not for the idea. Therefore, an explicit dilemma emerges by the virtues that the patient’s decision clashes with the service providers. The controversy substantially challenges the process since determining the right option become difficult. These two cases present the position of ethical dilemmas in care process. Evidently, the code of autonomy clashes with the interests of beneficence. Physicians need to respect the initiative of autonomy while beneficence ideologies are binding. The controversy presented explains difficulties in ethical reasoning. This shows the need of initiating supportive guidance to the patients is essential in realization of nursing objects. Patients stand vulnerable to ethical dilemmas and the nursing team and other providers has a crucial role of helping them counter their challenges. The Role of a Nurse The role of nursing in helping Allen’s family overcome their problems is multifaceted. Initially, the nurse has a task of providing influential counsel to the family. Nurses are professionals with the skills. Nurses hence have a role of employing their skills in approaching the family and help them adopt wise decisions (Bower, 2008). For instance, Allen refuses to take treatment by considering his situation as conditioned. The nurse may engage the patient and assist him understand that his state has a medical solution. Counseling is a crucial component effective for achieving a desired objective. In fact, counseling provides the most effective approach for addressing ethical dilemmas (Ford, 2006). This is by the virtue that an influential counsel leads to attitude change and adjustment of decisions. Moreover, once the nurture has successfully altered the culprit’s decision, helpful cooperation is realizable an idea which promotes the care process. Consequently, nurses need to instill excellent counseling skills to counter ethical challenges (Bower, 2008). Another imperative role of nurse in care practice is depicted in Pamela’s case. The Nurse has a position of encouraging the patient’s to overcome the challenge. The nurse position and approach towards a situation substantially determines the triumph of care objective. For instance, Pamela’s home nurse is strongly optimistic about the chemotherapy prescription. Evidently, this strong attitude influences Pamela’s decision and she accepts to take the medication. Patients has sturdy faith in care provides since they views them knowledgeable (Ford, 2006). This means a negative attitude in nurses would substantially slay patient’s effort. Allen’s family is in serious problems, it is only thorough communal effort that the family can battle out the situation. Importantly, the family is ignorant of the dilemmas facing them hence overcoming them is difficult. However, a nurse can easily identify the dilemmas hence exert the appropriate strategy suited for the case. Importantly, achieving the desired objectives is associated with staid challenges hence nurses need be persistence and have firm commitment to realize their stand (Bower, 2008). Nurses have an authoritative advice hence have a role of utilizing this tool in guiding the patients into making wise decisions. An imperative guide entails explaining the patients the importance and implications of adopting the desired routes (Ford, 2006). Sometimes patients adopt decisions out of simple analysis or by using a one-sided view. This leads to a condition where patients arrive at misinformed conclusions. Allen simply concludes that he need not take medication because his condition is natural hence medical interventions is not necessary. However, this is an incorrect calculation and such situation complicates care process. A nurse has a momentous role of avoiding such situations in the society. A nurse needs to present the patients with all options available and explain the risks of embracing or failing to adopt a certain practice (Bower, 2008). With vital knowledge, regarding the subject under consideration patients can make reasonable assertions. Nurses are in a better position of inviting reasoning strategies in solving problems. Therefore, nurses have a role of utilizing their wise decision making tools in helping patients make prudent decisions (Harding, 2010). Applying an Ethical Reasoning Model in Solving Allen’s Family Problems The problem depicted in the Allen’s family can obtain the best solution by capitalizing on the model of ethical reasoning; the seven-step model presented below can help in ascertaining the right solution. Problem sorting: This should entail assembling very important information that could help in elucidating the situation. The stage will demand the observer to remain focused on the objective or the problem under study (Ford, 2006). Sourcing facts out of assumptions, suggestions or deductions is mandatory in defining the precise situation. Apply Code of Ethics: This entails accessing the problem against the available ethic standards. Sometimes the standard ethical manual may present many solutions to the problem; it is important to consider blending proposals to establish a concrete approach. Establish the nature and breadth of the dilemma: An effective coverage of this step need be multifaceted (Bower, 2008). Initial step is to include examination of the problem against all possible moral principles. Engage information appraisal and approach relevant experts to boost the knowledge and check the remedy produce. Formulation of probable strategic actions: This will entail establishing all possible options that are effective in curbing the problem. Similarly, the step will entail engaging any essential assistance available to build an inclusive and an informed scheme. Establishing the potential results in all avenues and formulation of remedy actions: This is a critical examination exerted utilizing the information obtained to determine the magnitude of consequence in each route. The safer route outweighs others and is set as a priority. Appraisal of the select plan: Access the acceptability, penetration powers and weakness and formulate on the advocacy strategy. Adopt effective tactics for countering rebellion and possible impediment that may lead to scheme failure. Implementation of the scheme: examination of the performance of the plan at each level is essential. Adjusting the plan will be a critical tactic in case of poor performance. Conclusion In conclusion, ethical reasoning is essential in addressing ethical dilemmas. This ethical model will provide a comprehensive solution to Allen’s family problems. Allen’s family is a contemporary case proving the need for incorporating ethical reasoning in care procedures to develop performances. References Bower, A. (2008). Ethical and leadership dilemmas for nurses in an over capacity hospital environment. Royal Roads University (Canada)). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, , n/a. http://search.proquest.com/docview/304812814?accountid=45049 Ford, G. G. (2006). Ethical reasoning for mental health professionals. Thousand Oaks [u.a.: SAGE Publ. Harding, C. G. (2010). Moral dilemmas and ethical reasoning. New Brunswick (U.S.A.) [u.a.: Transaction Publ. Read More