A military RN is ordered to force feed a terrorist prisoner while he is undergoing interrogation. The prisoner is on a hunger strike protesting his capture and highlighting his cause. The nurse is to ensure the prisoner remains hydrated and fed so he can provide information and does not starve. The nurse is torn. On the one hand, the nurse has strong loyalty to the military objective of ensuring public safety by uncovering terrorists plots along with fear of reprisal if orders are disobeyed. Yet, the nurse is appalled at overriding a patient’s wishes by force feeding him against his will.
Please answer the following questions in your paper:
- Is this an ethical dilemma or a moral dilemma?
- What ethical principles are in contention? How?
- Are there any virtues at risk? Whose? Why?
- What justifies overriding an individual’s autonomy to make his own choices?
- What lessons can be learned from this nurse’s dilemma?