Clinical practice or as a nurse leader

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  The patient was a 75-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. She was also taking a number of medications for other chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, and heart failure. One of the medications that she was taking was a diuretic, which helps to remove excess fluid from the body. The diuretic was causing her to have frequent urination, which was making it difficult for her to sleep. She asked me to stop giving her the diuretic, but I knew that it was important for her to continue taking it to control her fluid levels. I talked to the patient about the risks and benefits of stopping the diuretic. I explained that if she stopped taking it, her fluid levels could get too high, which could lead to a number of complications, including heart failure and kidney failure. The patient understood the risks, but she still insisted on stopping the diuretic. I was faced with a difficult decision. I could either respect the patient's wishes and stop giving her the diuretic, or I could continue giving it to her even though she didn't want it. I ultimately decided to continue giving the patient the diuretic. I knew that it was the best thing for her health, even though she didn't want it. I explained my decision to the patient and she was upset, but she eventually agreed to continue taking the diuretic. This experience taught me that it is important to respect patient autonomy, but it is also important to advocate for patient safety. Sometimes, the best way to respect patient autonomy is to make a decision that the patient doesn't want, but that is in their best interest. I believe that I made the right decision in this case. The patient was ultimately grateful that I continued giving her the diuretic, and she was able to make a full recovery. Reflection This ethical dilemma made me think about the importance of patient autonomy and patient safety. I learned that it is important to respect patient autonomy, but it is also important to advocate for patient safety. Sometimes, the best way to respect patient autonomy is to make a decision that the patient doesn't want, but that is in their best interest. I also learned that it is important to communicate with patients about their care. I should have explained the risks and benefits of stopping the diuretic to the patient in more detail. I should have also given her more time to think about her decision. I am grateful that I was able to learn from this experience. I am a better nurse because of it.

Sample Answer

  I have faced many ethical dilemmas in my career as a nurse, but one that stands out to me is the time I had to decide whether or not to give a patient a medication that they had refused.