Analysis of an Ethical Dilemma Essay

There argon times when disembodied spirit takes an unforeseen route, and one is confront with an obstacle or circumstance that was not expected. Many people be diagnosed with terminal diseases, have accidents and are left with severe impairments, and suffer horrendous complications from health check issues. One has the powerful, according to law, to make medical closes near their care and treatment options. But should one have the right to end their living history? Assisted, or volunteer euthanasia, is the direct administration of a lethal agent to end ones life at the request of the patient (Tamayo-Velazquez, Simon-Lorda, & Cruz-Piqueras, 2012, p. 678). Should a somebody have to intolerably suffer for the duration of their disease or disability, or should they have the right to choose to end their life?Related honourable Implications and ObligationsVoluntary euthanasia natur onlyy sparks the debate between morality and levelheadedity (Young, 2010). Ethical implications c ome with being faced with if back up euthanasia is morally justified, or if respecting ones right to make choices about their life, including end of life stopping points, supersedes all other aspects of the subject. Nurses are an integral actuate in end of life care of patients, and lots times are witness to those expressing the desire to die. Ethical dilemmas are currently high regarding end of life care in nursing, and would only grow more complicated and severe if assisted euthanasia became legal worldwide, as restrains would not only provide comfort measures, but quite an be a part of ending life. Currently, assisted euthanasia is legal in three countries the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Euthanasia is considered murder in either other place in the world. (Assisted Suicide & closing with Dignity, 2013).In the United States, there are currently three states, Oregon, Montana, and Washington, where Physician Assisted Suicide, or PAS, is legal. PAS is referred to as the Death with Dignity Act and permits doctors to range a lethaloverdose to a patient who is expected to die within six months. This decision is totally dependent upon patient wishes, and physicians are not obligated to inform families, only to write the prescription medicine (Analysis of Assisted Suicide Initiative, 2013). In any other state, assisted suicide is considered manslaughter and is punishable by law. Assisted euthanasia remains a hot topic worldwide, and aims to pass laws are constantly challenged. Ethical Theories Ethical decisions are always difficult for the nurse to make in a challenging point Confidentiality and seclusion are part of honorable issues but can raise confusion as to the scoop out direction of an action for a nurse to take.There is a need for nurses to know that patient obligations and laws concerning privacy and confidentiality matters. Healthcare has the HIPAA law that guides patients privacy (HIPAA. ORG, 2008) which is essential for nurses to un derstand the pertinent guidelines or rules on confidentiality so as to carry out their practices based on the law guidelines. The code of ethics states, The nurse advocates for, promotes and strives towards safety, health and the patients rights (ANA, 2010). (ANA, 2010) stated that Deontology theory is helpful for the nurse to judges the morality of an action based on the actions adherence to rules. Whether an action is honest depends on the intentions behind the decisions rather than the outcomes that result. good-will represents forgiveness on the other hand, taking positive action to help others and desire to do good which is the inwardness principle of our patient advocacy. (Butts, J. B., & Rich, K. L, 2008). Autonomy theory help nurses respect and honor a patients or clients right to make a course of action and support independent decision making.While the right to indecorum is not to hurt or negatively impact an outcome, it often gives the nurse a sense of license to choo se a moral decision. Voluntary assisted euthanasia may be justified with the Beneficence theory but ethically wrong for the nurse in assisting. Impact of social valves, morals, and norms The Terry Schiavo berth was perhaps the highest profile fount to ever address the issue of broadening ones life when that person suffers a life-altering medical tragedy. With her husband fighting on one side for the right to not prolong her life and multiple parties, including her other family members, fighting for the right to prolong her life, this case took national media and even the courts bystorm.The case brought to light what has been called the right-to-die question. Because she lacked a living will, the courts were left to determine what her finals wishes would have been in a situation like this. Legally speaking, the court in Florida found that people have the right to refuse medical treatment, and that right extends to them even when they are in a vegetative state. This case was compli cated because there was no clear consensus on whether Schiavo would have liked to exercise that right. Ultimately, her husband was able to convince the court of this, and his strong point came largely because he was the closest person to her and was thus in the best position to understand her wishes.The case brought about complicated ethical issues, especially for the medical professionals involved. Nurses and doctors are under an oath to preserve life whenever possible, but they must also respect the wishes of patients. Because the decision involved removing a feeding tube rather than taking any direct action to harm the patient, medical professionals were able to comply with court orders without violating their oath.It is also worth noting that this case was complicated by social and political issues. Pro-life groups advocated on behalf of Schiavos family, and hot seat George W. Bush even tried to intervene. Some argue that these things were designed to make a political point. Implementing an ethical theory Implementing an ethical theory or principle to address an ethical dilemma should involve identifying the token of ethical problem. Doing this lays the groundwork for the trajectory in the compassionate response. From here, an ethical theory can be implemented and methodically followed to conclude with the best caring response. In the case of Terry Schiavo, there were ambiguities of who should make the decisions. With this, a locus of authority was established to this ethical problem and ultimately, the Supreme Court would act as the moral agent. With the trajectory set, the Supreme Court was now going to be held responsible for the caring response outcome.Furthermore, the Courts would in all likelihood have to rely on a history approach to ethical decision making. Purtilo and Doherty(2011) define the narrative approach as information told through stories that, as a result, affect the human experience. With the barrage of approaching from the Schia vo case, the Supreme Court must be sure to gather all the relevant details in order to establish facts, relationships and values. Consequently, this is the first step in many ethical theories as well as Purtilo and Dohertys (2011, p. 103) six steps to ethical decision making. The determination of an ethical decision in deep rooted in own(prenominal) and societal values. The ethical theory provides the framework, but it is the value-laden details that guide the decision (Aulisio & Arnold, 2008). With this said an accurate prediction with regard to cases such as Terry Schiavo would be the immediate interposition of ethics committees to mitigate lengthy legal processes and preserving a caring response.ConclusionIn this case all of the moral and social valves that were implicated involved nursing ethics. Nurses play an important role in caring for patients that are at the end of life. Nurses must understand the issues that involve assisted euthanasia because of the legal and ethical i mplications that are involved. Nurses must have adequate knowledge and understanding of assisted death to prevent themselves from violating their personal and professional ethics.ReferencesAnalysis of Washington Assisted Suicide Initiative I-1000. (2013). Retrieved from www.patientsrightcouncil.org/site/analysis-washington-state/ Assisted Suicide & Death with Dignity Past, Present & Future Part III. (2013). Retrieved from http//www.patientsrightcouncil.org/site/rpt2005-part3/ Aulisio, M. & Arnold, M. (2008). Role of the Ethics Committee Helping To point Value Conflicts or Uncertainties. Retrieved fromhttp//journal.publications.chestnet.org/article.aspx?articleid=1086034Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2009). Principles of biomedical ethics (6th ed., pp. 38- 39).New York, NY Oxford University Press. Butts, J. B., & Rich, K. L. (2008). Nursing ethics across the curriculum and into practice(2nd ed., pp. 21-22). Sunbury, MA Jones and Bartlett. Purtilo, Doherty. (2011). Ethical Di mensions in the Health Professions (5th ed). W.B. Saunders Company. Retrieved from http//pageburstls.elsevier.com/books/978-1-4377-0896-7/id/B9781437708967000138_p0300Tamayo-Velazquez, M., Simon-Lorda, P., & Cruz-Piqueras, M. (2012). Euthanasia and physician assisted suicide Knowledge, attitudes and experiences of nurses in Andalusia Spain. Nursing Ethics, 195, 677-691. http//dx.doi.org/10.1177/0969733011436203 Young, R. (2010). Voluntary Euthanasia. Retrieved from http//plato.standford.edu/entries/euthanasia-voluntary/