What Is An Ethical Dilemma

Running head: ETHICAL DILEMMA
ETHICAL DILEMMA
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ETHICAL DILEMMA
Should Mr. Martinez be transferred to intensive care, where his respiratory
failure can be treated by a ventilator or CPR if necessary, and his oxygen level
can be monitored?
Considering the patient’s severity, he must be transferred to the intensive care where his
respiratory trouble can be cured and treated by a ventilator or CPR if necessary. The patient was
suffering from COPD and was also having respiratory distress. He was being supported with
fluids, antibiotics and was found to do better. However, his condition deteriorated and his
oxygen was advertently turned up leading to respiratory failure. Furthermore, his wife requested
not to perform CPR, thus, there is an ethical conflict relating to whether to give CPR or not. In
this case, the principle of beneficence is in conflict with the principle of autonomy and thus there
is an ethical dilemma of whether the patient should be given CPR or not. However, the patient
must be transferred to the intensive care unit since he will be needing external oxygen support.
He must be given palliative care for supporting his end of life care.
What are the key ethical issues or models in this case study?
Ethical issues are common in health care and are taken into consideration while delivering
care to the patients. The key ethical issues in this case include conflict between the principle of
autonomy and the principle of beneficence. According to the principle of autonomy, it is the
responsibility of every healthcare professionals to protect and respect patient’s autonomy
(Owonikoko, 2013). Healthcare professionals including nurses in no way should involve in any
actions that will breach the principle of autonomy. It is the responsibility of the healthcare
professionals to provide patients with all the necessary information regarding their health and the