Ethical Decision-Making

Process of Ethical Decision Making Ethical decision-making can be defined as a process whereby a person is required to decide between two very difficult choices. In such an instance, one is usually in a dilemma on what path to take because in most instances there is usually no option that is right or one that is wrong (Steinman, Nan and Tim 118). In the case presented, it presents Joe with an ethical dilemma. He is taking care of a patient whom he is supposed not to leave for even a second, then as he is bathing a patient he hears one of the staff members who is seven-months pregnant calling for help. The staff member is under attack by a huge person and she fears for the life of her baby. At this particular time, Joe is the only person who is nearby and who can offer help, yet she is in the process of bathing his patient. Leaving the patients unattended in the bath tub could lead to him being fired and
By analyzing the possible alternatives in a critical way, Joe should look at the consequences that are there for each alternative. For instance, the first alternative that Joe has is to ignore the staff member who is about to lose her child (Guy 109). By taking this option, he would keep his job safe but he may live forever in guilt if the mother loses her child or even her own life from the attack. The second option that he has is to leave the patient alone in the bath tub and help the staff member. This, however, has very dire consequences for him. When he was employed at the facility, he signed that he would never leave any patient left under one to one care unattended. Such patients are also not supposed to be left alone for even a single second in the bath tub. Therefore, if he decides to leave his patient, he may lose his job, hence be left without a source of income. It is quite a difficult decision for him to