Writing an essay regarding ethical dilemmas

[JSBCP]

Hi,

I am very new to this website, so please excuse if this topic has been covered before...

I am required to write an essay regarding the ethical dilemmas faced by nurses in a scenario of a Jehovah's witness who has been involved in a car accident, who has internal bleeding and requires surgery, but is also 8 months pregnant and is refusing treatment.

It asks to go through Autonomy, beneficience, non-maleficience, justice and confidentiality relating to the case.

It then goes on to ask to analyze the ethical dilemmas regarding the unborn baby.. the hurt mother and the impact of the decision that the nurse chooses with other members of the hospital team..

I am unsure whether I would have a duty of care to ensure the safety of the baby whilst upholding the wishes of the mother or whether I would only have a duty of care to the mother?

Thanks in Advance

JSBCP

[JSBCP]

Thankyou to all that have given advice. I didnt mean to *ask* for anyone to write my assignment, as that was not my intention at all, I was merely asking seasoned Nurses, whether I have any duty of care to the Baby, or just the presenting pt, i.e just the mother and her issues such as the internal bleeding..

I have written most of my assignment, such as the ethical principles, and how they relate to the case, but now I am writing the section on "ethical dilemmas faced by the nurse regarding the foetus". I know personally I would have a hard time morally not thinking about the unborn child, and I probably would question whether nursing was in fact what I wanted to continue to do, as I always thought nursing was to help others and do no wrong ... and if the baby were to die, due to my actions or inactions then I am not sure whether I would forgive myself, for at least not trying...I being a brand new parent to twins who are just going on 4 months old, and knowing that they were born at 33+4 and lived , I would have ethical and legal issues running through my head faster than I could think ... and knowing that if the baby were to be born, it would have a greater chance of survival than being left insitu...

I just hate these kinds of assignments as I feel it is hard to write about this stuff if we have never been put in similar situations... the only ethical dilemma I have ever been put in, is when my dad was dying of cancer and he was offered chemo but refused, and then when he was closer to death asked for it, but it was too late for him, I had to explain why it was too late and virtually 'bad luck you had you chance' type of thing ... pretty sad, but realistically it was the best decision...

JSBCP...

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

Just be glad you get to work it out now, rather than suddenly on the job. Good luck!