Elsa Carmen Harmon
California State University – San Marcos
NURS351 Role Transition for the RN - Seminar
Melissa Rouse
October 1, 2017
Ethical Dilemma One of the ethical dilemmas in provision of effective patient care is in regards to disclosing complete information on a patient’s medical conditions. Although nurses have a professional and ethical responsibility to disclose all the information pertinent to a patient’s medical conditions, in some instances, the consequences of full disclosure present an ethical dilemma. In addition, it is important to consider the special relationship that patients sometimes have with some of the staff particularly in regards to delegation and decision-making. An ethical situation that I have faced is in regards to full disclosure in the treatment of a 52-year-old male diagnosed with prostate cancer. Preliminary indications displayed enlargement of prostate as well as difficult palpable in touché rectal examination. Additionally, a CT scan of the pelvis and biopsy of the tissue displayed signs of prostate cancer. The primary physician recommended laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and informed the patient. The patient was vividly worried and tensed in regards to the intensity and risks of the procedure. Nonetheless, the doctor scheduled the surgery within two days and a nurse assigned to the patient for psychological care. As the patient and the nurse interacted, the patient inquired if there are any other medical alternatives to radical prostatectomy. The nurse suggested that the patient discuss the matter …show more content…
The nurse in the ethical situation should adopt the use of the care, principalism and contextualism in establishing the most relevant course of action. Additionally, the nurses should observe the moral principles of beneficence and autonomy that guides the established course of