Examples Of Ethical Issues In Nursing

There is a myriad of ethical issues involved in an acute hospital setting where multiple issues may need to be addressed before, during, and after an admission to an intensive care unit. An Intensive Care Unit lends itself to an environment that is often chaotic with health care professionals busily caring for patients with critical medical needs and family members who are often not prepared for the worst-case scenario, especially end-of-life issues. Ethical issues are further complicated when there are other contributing factors that further complicates matter further such as the following: cultural, psychological, and spiritual; just to name a few. The principle of ethics and the mechanisms for ethical decision making will be examined.

Ethical Decision Making: Issues Encountered in an Intensive Care Unit
Numerous studies have been conducted on various facets of ethical issues in an acute hospital setting, conversely, limited research is available regarding conflicts that test the boundaries of ethical issues between healthcare professionals and families of a multi-ethic patient population during critical care.
Statement and Summary of the Problem
This is an environment where conflicts can occur, not only amongst the internal staff of the hospital, but with family members. Additionally, patients and their family members who are from a different culture, customs, dialects, and beliefs and intertwine those with healthcare providers who are trying to do their job to the best of their ability and assist patients who are sedated and family members who have language barriers and feel entitled to care for the patient in the direction he or she believe is in the best interest of their family