Ethical Dilemma in Nursing: A Case Study on Patient Consent and Care

This case study delves into an ethical dilemma in nursing, focusing on a six-year-old patient whose parents hold conflicting views on his treatment. The assignment explores the complexities of patient consent, particularly when dealing with minors, and the roles of both the parents and the attending physician. It examines the legal and ethical considerations surrounding treatment plans, parental rights, and the physician's responsibility to provide evidence-based care. The case highlights the importance of balancing parental beliefs with the child's well-being and the need for nurses to navigate these challenging situations while adhering to professional standards and legal guidelines. The document references relevant literature to support the analysis of the ethical issues presented in the case.

Running head: NURSING ETHICAL DILEMMA 1
Nursing Ethical Dilemma
Name
Professor
Institution
Date
Mother: Who can decide on the care plan for the child?

NURSING ETHICAL DILEMMA 2
Me: The consent of the patient is essential in health care practice. Considering the age
factor of the child, the initial decision on the treatment and care plan lies with the
parents. The six-year-old child is not mature enough to make his consent on the
treatment. Owing to the child’s age factor, the nurse should take consent for the
treatment from his two parents. However, this case presents an ethical dilemma
since there exists a spiritual and cultural belief from the parents who demand that
the nurse must use no medication to heal the child (Alston, 2014).
Father: Are we then able to sue the attending physician and the hospital for breaching our
consent as the child’s parents?
Me: In this case, however, your arguments as the parents of the child are significantly
unenforceable. Suing the physician and the hospital is not the best option.
According to the adoption of care and treatment plan for minors (children), the
physician has to design a treatment plan which offers relief to the child.
Therefore, the decision to start care and treatment plan for the six-year-old child
solemnly lies with the attending physician. He must use wisdom and evidence-
based practice of nursing that helps relieve the child from the illness. In designing
the care plan for the child, the attending physician acts in his professional
capacity, and the law protects him since he is in his line of duty (Shaul, 2014).
References
Alston, C. (2014). Shared Decision-making Strategies for Best Care: Patient Decision Aids.

NURSING ETHICAL DILEMMA 3
Shaul, R. Z. (2014). Pediatric Patient and Family-Centred Care: Ethical and Legal Issues.
Berlin, Germany: Springer Science & Business.