Question

Discuss a difficult ethical dilemma that you faced. What was it? What were the options available to you? Who was affected by your decision? Were there any laws, rules, or guidelines that affected your decision? How did you make your decision? Use supporting documents and literature to support your response.

Answer 1

One of the situations in which I faced an ethical dilemma was when the patient did not have an advance directive. In the case that I mention, there was a 78 year old woman, who did not have any advance directives. Her son had brought her to the emergency department and had decided that in case there would be requirement for resuscitation, it should not be done. He had signed a DNR for his mother as being the primary care taker.

In such a situation, I had to give my best, as the patient themselves did not provide a DNR. But, as the health care proxy, I had to comply with the decision. The ethical aspects involved were of beneficence, non maleficence and respect for autonomy.