Question

Session 2 - Ethical Principles

Initial Discussion Post

An older male adult in a long term care facility is confused and becoming increasingly agitated. His wife is visiting with him and is visibly worried about his behaviour. You and the other RPN on the shift consider whether you should use physical restraints on the patient.

Questions:

Using only utilitarianism, what choice would you make? Explain why.

Using only deontological theory, what choice would you make? Explain why.

Using only the "ethical principles," what choice would you make? Explain why. (Remember that you are to apply five ethical principles, balancing them against each other, and explain why each one applies or does not apply).

Are there differences in the outcomes in the application of the theories and principles above? Why do you suppose that is?

Answer 1

Utilitarianism theory for many people with value reason it states that utilitarianism as a standardized ethical theory that disposition of rights and wrong exclusively depends on the results and consequences to control the act..Nurses are accountable for ethical conduct for doing their duties upon for not all the patients has to be restrained by nurses..nurses action to protect the patient from removal of all medical devices and ongoing treatment and prevent falls due to her medical conditions to avoid unwanted complications..some utilitarianism may not make every one happy,when nurses looking into duty for restricting the patient,that time patient may lose faith in nurses therefore..

As per Deontology theory it says each person act by binding them in a moral act..It is nurses duty to provide compassionate and competent nursing care to meet patient needs and providing correct information regarding needs and cares and get involved to prevent complications and act as per patient response..In this case physical restrain needed for patient because of his condition..But restrain should be discontinued inbetween when patient regains her ability to follow instructions..In deontology states there is no logical basis, nurses has to do good for the patient restrain consider as harming the patient..

Ethical principles people should be allowed to make their own decisions..it shows Autonomy,self determination and respect persons is important in medical ethics..Respect for the autonomy nurses trying to save the patients life..Beneficence nurses explain to the patient in a way they can understand so that patient can be free from fear and restless and they will co-operate for the procedure, nursing ethics not to do harm and doing best for the Patient..Non maleficence refers nurses should not do anything that intentionally harm with benefts..Justice is a legal system decision by patient and treated that patient rights to receive a good quality care..

In this each theory ethical principles guides to follow moral decision making moral judgement in nursing practice,each theory has its own limitation..This theory explains nursing ethics in practice the access with Quality care to patients, it helps to satisfy both patient and nurses..