Nursing Paper: Ethical Issues in Healthcare

Running head: NURSING PAPER 1
Nursing Paper
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

NURSING PAPER 2
Question1 –
Define beneficence and non – maleficence.
(2marks)
Beneficence is one of the most crucial nursing ethical principles. As an illustration, it
usually guides the health practitioner to act in the interest of the patient. On the other hand, non-
maleficence means no harm. As an illustration, the decision of ending the child’s life before its
born is based on the assumption that the child will save the mother’s life.
Using the ethical concepts of beneficence, describe one (1) potential ethical issue related to
freezing eggs relevant for this patient. (1 mark)
Since beneficence means acting in the best interest of the patient, the respective should
first do as per what Debbie Brooks wishes. Accordingly, Debbie Brook should also be advised to
do egg freezing. By doing this, Debbie Brook will be able to have children in future considering
the fact that she is 32 years old.
Using the ethical concepts of non - maleficence, describe one (1) potential ethical issue
related to freezing eggs relevant for this patient. (1mark)
The concept of non-maleficence means doing no harm or in other words, doing one thing
to save the other (Walker, 2016). In that case, it’s rational for Debbie to abort the baby for her to
finish school as she wishes provided she considers egg freezing. According to non-maleficence,
it sensible if the child's life is terminated to enable Debbie finish school. Therefore, performing
Egg freezing will enable her to have children in future as she wishes.

NURSING PAPER 3
Question 2 – What does bioethics mean? (1 mark)
Bioethics is the ethical implications and applications of health-related life sciences. On
the other hand, it is the application of ethics to the field of medicine and healthcare (Grobler,
Marais & Mabunda, 2015).
Question 3
What does ethical dilemma mean and why is this case a potential ethical dilemma?
(2marks)
Ethical dilemma usually involves two competing points of view that creates tension or
conflict. This usually commences when a person makes a decision that best suits a given
situation. In that case, this case is a potential ethical dilemma in the sense that, Debbie Brooks
has to choose either to aborting the baby and finishing her hairdressing course.
Question 4 –
a. What should you do as a nurse caring for Debbie, to ensure she receives the right to
care if her decision to have an abortion conflict with your personal moral beliefs?
(1 mark)
If I realize that her choice of aborting the baby is against my moral beliefs, I can decide
to refer her another practitioner that I deem fit for that situation. On the other hand, despite the
fact that it's always good to act in the best interest of the patient, I can decide to advise Debbie
about the effects of abortion in relation to her age. This is because it is also possible for her to
stop for one year of study, give birth to the baby then go back to school to finish her course.

NURSING PAPER 4
b. What framework/guidelines might you use to assist you in your decision making,
and where will you find these? (2 marks)
The nurse of the midwifery can initiate treatment decision in discussion with and
agreement by the patient proving a comprehensive description of the treatment
prescribed, including the side effects and expectations of treatment (Johnson, 2016).
Question 5 – Should you tell Debbie's former partner about her abortion? Why or why
not? Link this to ethical decision-making framework/guidelines. 4 marks
It is rational to inform Debbie's partner about her abortion only if Debbie permits me.
This is because it can worsen the situation resulting in stress or depression on the side of Debbie
Brook.
Scenario two
You are working a night shift in a busy private hospital. Earlier in the day, a well-known film
actor was admitted to your ward for prostate surgery. You are working tonight with Tilly who is
an RN. She arrived 10 minutes late for handover, and she tells you this is because she had been
at a family birthday party. You commence working with your patients, and one hour later, you
are outside the open door of the actor's room. Tilly is in the room, and the patient is asleep. You
notice her open his bag, take out a watch and put it into her pocket. She then takes a photo of the
sleeping patient with her phone and uploads it to her Facebook page. Tilly notices you standing
in the doorway and whispers to you that it is okay because she has set security settings on her
account and so only her family will see the photo. You return to the nurses' desk, and Tilly
comes and sits beside you. At this point, you notice the smell of alcohol on her breath.