Posted: March 2nd, 2023

You are a member of your organization’s ethics committee

Scenario
You are a member of your organization’s ethics committee. As a nurse preceptor and member of the ethics committee, you have been asked to do a presentation at the upcoming orientation to educate new nursing hires on ethical dilemmas they may encounter in nursing practice. The nurse manager wants to ensure that new hires understand essential considerations when facing conflicts over what is best for patient care. Therefore, the nurse manager has requested that you review issues, impacts, and nursing strategies related to ethical dilemmas in nursing practice. You are excited to share your enthusiasm and passion for the importance of ethics in client care.

Instructions
Select an ethical dilemma you have experienced in nursing or recent news to use as the basis for your presentation.
Create a PowerPoint® presentation with referenced in-text citation that includes the following:
The ethical dilemma encountered by a nurse.
The ethical issues related to the dilemma. Support with credible referencing.
The impact on nursing and patient care. Support with credible referencing.
Strategies that support person and family centered care. Support with credible referencing.
References for the last 5 years.

Ethical Dilemma in Professional Nursing
Introduction:

As a nurse preceptor and member of the ethics committee, I have been asked to present on ethical dilemmas in nursing practice, highlighting the issues, impacts, and strategies related to these dilemmas. In this presentation, I will discuss an ethical dilemma that I have encountered in my nursing practice, the ethical issues related to this dilemma, the impact on nursing and patient care, and strategies that support person and family-centered care.

Ethical Dilemma:

The ethical dilemma that I have encountered is the use of physical restraints in the care of patients with dementia. Physical restraints are commonly used in the care of patients with dementia to prevent falls and wandering, but they pose ethical issues that need to be addressed.

Ethical Issues:

The use of physical restraints raises ethical concerns related to autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Autonomy refers to the patient’s right to self-determination and decision-making. The use of physical restraints may limit a patient’s autonomy by restricting their movement and freedom. Beneficence refers to the duty of nurses to act in the patient’s best interest. The use of physical restraints may be beneficial in preventing falls and injuries, but it may also cause harm to the patient, such as psychological distress, physical injury, and pressure ulcers. Non-maleficence refers to the duty of nurses to do no harm. The use of physical restraints may cause harm to the patient, such as physical and psychological harm. Justice refers to the fair and equitable distribution of resources and services. The use of physical restraints may violate the patient’s right to receive care that is free from unnecessary physical and chemical restraints.

Impact on Nursing and Patient Care:

The use of physical restraints in the care of patients with dementia has a significant impact on nursing and patient care. Physical restraints may lead to increased agitation, confusion, and disorientation in patients with dementia. This may increase the workload for nurses and may lead to burnout, stress, and job dissatisfaction. Physical restraints may also cause physical harm, such as pressure ulcers, loss of muscle tone, and muscle atrophy.

Strategies that Support Person and Family-Centered Care:

Person and family-centered care is an approach that prioritizes the needs and preferences of the patient and their family. The following strategies can support person and family-centered care in the use of physical restraints:

Use of Alternatives: Nurses can explore alternatives to physical restraints, such as environmental modifications, increasing staff-to-patient ratio, and increasing patient engagement.

Education: Nurses can educate patients and their families about the risks and benefits of physical restraints and involve them in the decision-making process.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Nurses can collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as occupational therapists, physical therapists, and social workers, to develop a comprehensive care plan that meets the patient’s needs.

Documentation: Nurses should document the use of physical restraints, the reasons for their use, and the patient’s response to them.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the use of physical restraints in the care of patients with dementia poses ethical issues that need to be addressed. Nurses have a duty to provide person and family-centered care that respects the patient’s autonomy, promotes beneficence, avoids non-maleficence, and ensures justice. By using alternatives, educating patients and families, collaborating with other healthcare professionals, and documenting the use of physical restraints, nurses can provide safe and effective care that promotes the well-being of patients with dementia.
References:

American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. Silver Spring, MD: Author.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2018). The Use of Restraints in Nursing

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