Identify Ethical Dilemmas Encountered In Professional Nursin

Identify Ethical Dilemmas Encountered In Professional Nursing Practice

Identify ethical dilemmas encountered in professional nursing practice. Describe the ethical theories and principles influencing healthcare decisions. Explain the interdependency of genetics, genomics, and ethics on nursing care. Describe the principles of genetics and genomics. Differentiate the legal and professional policies influencing healthcare decisions.

Design nursing care strategies which incorporate genetic and genomic risk factors. Scenario In your role as a case manager you have the opportunity for bedside rounding with the interdisciplinary team on your unit. In preparing for the week’s team rounds you need to prepare information to present a case summary and plan of care to the interdisciplinary team on your newly admitted client with a positive genetic test result. You look forward to the opportunity to advocate for your client and value the holistic approach that the interdisciplinary team supports.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

In the complex landscape of modern healthcare, professional nurses frequently encounter ethical dilemmas, particularly with the integration of genetic and genomic information into patient care. Ethical challenges often revolve around issues such as patient autonomy, confidentiality, informed consent, and potential discrimination. Understanding these dilemmas and the underlying ethical principles guides nurses in making sound decisions, advocating for patients, and ensuring holistic care that respects individual rights and societal considerations.

Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing Practice

One prevalent ethical dilemma in nursing involves balancing patient autonomy with beneficence. For example, when a patient refuses genetic testing or disclosure of genetic information, nurses face the challenge of respecting the patient’s rights while considering the implications for their health and the health of their relatives. Confidentiality also presents dilemmas, especially when genetic findings have familial implications; maintaining confidentiality must be balanced against potential harm or risk to relatives who might be unaware of inherited risks (Wilfond & Ross, 2019). Another dilemma pertains to the possibility of genetic discrimination by employers or insurers, raising concerns about privacy and societal fairness (Kraft & Permutt, 2018). These dilemmas highlight the need for a thorough understanding of ethical principles and the legal landscape that governs genetic information handling.

Ethical Theories and Principles Influencing Healthcare Decisions

Several ethical theories underpin decision-making in nursing, including deontology, consequentialism, and virtue ethics. Deontology emphasizes duty and adherence to moral rules, such as respecting patient autonomy and informed consent. Consequentialism, on the other hand, evaluates actions based on outcomes, advocating for decisions that maximize benefits and minimize harms. Virtue ethics focuses on the character and moral virtues of healthcare providers, promoting compassion, honesty, and integrity (Beauchamp & Childress, 2019).

The core ethical principles in healthcare, especially relevant to genetics and genomics, include respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Respect for autonomy requires honoring patients' rights to make informed decisions about their genetic information. Beneficence and non-maleficence demand actions that promote good and prevent harm, important when considering implications of genetic testing. Justice relates to fairness in access and distribution of genetic services and treatments (Gandhi et al., 2020).

Interdependency of Genetics, Genomics, and Ethics in Nursing Care

The integration of genetics and genomics into nursing care underscores the importance of ethical considerations. Advances in genetic testing facilitate early diagnosis, personalized treatment, and targeted interventions; however, they also pose ethical questions about consent, privacy, and potential misuse of genetic data. Nurses must navigate this interdependency by applying ethical principles to protect patient rights while leveraging genomic data for improved outcomes (McGuire et al., 2021). Ethical governance frameworks help guide nurses in balancing innovation with ethical and legal responsibilities.

Principles of Genetics and Genomics

The principles of genetics include understanding inheritance patterns, gene expression, mutation, and genetic variation. Genomics expands upon this by analyzing entire genomes to identify complex interactions and multifactorial traits. These principles assist nurses in understanding disease mechanisms, predicting risks, and tailoring personalized care plans. For instance, recognizing autosomal dominant inheritance informs familial risk assessments and preventive strategies (Chadwick et al., 2020).

Legal and Professional Policies Influencing Healthcare Decisions

Legal frameworks such as the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) protect individuals against employment and insurance discrimination based on genetic information in the United States. Professional guidelines from bodies like the American Nurses Association (ANA) emphasize maintaining patient confidentiality, obtaining informed consent, and advocating for equitable access to genetic services. These policies shape nursing practice by establishing standards for ethical and legal compliance when handling genetic data (ANA, 2019).

Nursing Care Strategies Incorporating Genetic and Genomic Risk Factors

Effective nursing care begins with comprehensive assessment, including detailed family history and education on genetic risks. Incorporating evidence-based guidelines, nurses can develop personalized care plans addressing physical health, psychosocial support, and ethical considerations. For patients with positive genetic test results, strategies include facilitating informed decision-making, providing emotional support, and coordinating multidisciplinary interventions. Promoting patient understanding about genetic implications helps empower individuals in managing their health (Levy et al., 2022).

Resources and Interprofessional Collaboration

Collaboration with genetic counselors, social workers, ethicists, and other healthcare professionals ensures holistic care addressing medical and psychosocial needs. Resources such as genetic databases, patient education materials, and support groups offer valuable guidance. Continuous education on emerging genomic technologies and ethical standards enhances nursing competency and patient safety (Hoffman et al., 2020).

Conclusion

Integrating genetics and genomics into nursing practice requires a nuanced understanding of ethical principles, legal policies, and interprofessional collaboration. Nurses play a vital role in safeguarding patient rights, supporting informed decision-making, and delivering personalized, holistic care. As genomic medicine continues to evolve, ongoing ethical vigilance and education are essential to navigate the challenges and opportunities inherent in this advancing field.

References

  • American Nurses Association. (2019). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. ANA.
  • Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.
  • Chadwick, R., McMullan, A., & Perry, T. (2020). Genetics in Nursing Practice. Springer.
  • Gandhi, G. R., et al. (2020). Ethical issues in genomic medicine. Annals of Translational Medicine, 8(24), 1657.
  • Hoffman, B., et al. (2020). Interprofessional collaboration in genetic and genomic nursing. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 52(3), 255-262.
  • Kraft, P., & Permutt, R. (2018). Protecting individuals from genetic discrimination. Nature Genetics, 50(2), 163-164.
  • Levy, S., et al. (2022). Personalized nursing care and genomic information. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 78(4), 1090-1100.
  • McGuire, A. L., et al. (2021). Ethical implications of genomic medicine. Nature Reviews Genetics, 22, 1-11.
  • Wilfond, B. S., & Ross, L. F. (2019). Ethical considerations in genetic testing. Pediatrics, 143(2), e20183868.

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