The Ethical Dilemma
The targeted six-year-old child has been diagnosed with meningitis. The physician faces a major ethical dilemma because the child’s parents have different health expectations. The non-biological mother is a Christian Scientist (CS) who does not embrace the use of medicine. She insists that the child should not receive any medication. The ethical dilemma, in this case, arises from the expectations of the child’s parents. Nurses encounter “numerous ethical dilemmas every day” (Ahmed & Ali, 2013, p. 9). Nurse Practitioners (NP) should always make accurate decisions to support the health needs of their patients. The important goal is to support the health goals of every patient (Thorne, 2009). The father wants his child to get the best medical treatment. The health expectations of these two individuals have created an ethical dilemma. A powerful decision-making approach is needed to support the health needs of this child.
The Best Decision-Making Model
Uustal’s decision-making model has the potential to address various ethical problems. This model encourages physicians and nurses to make the most preferable decisions. The model has nine unique steps. The first step focuses on the existing problem (Casterle et al., 2008). The second step is used to “highlight the ethical position related to the problem” (Thorne, 2009, p. 273). The third step outlines the best alternatives towards addressing the targeted dilemma. Step four identifies the alternatives that are consistent with the most acceptable values.
In step five, “physicians should predict the outcomes of every acceptable alternative” (Deegan, 2012, p. 14). This step will highlight the long and short-term consequences of every alternative. Step six makes it easier for nurses to prioritize the most-acceptable solutions. In step seven, the caregiver develops a powerful Action Plan (AP) basSAP on the outlined alternatives. Step eight is used to implement the proposed Action Plan. Physicians should use the last step to evaluate the implemented action. Caregivers should use Uustal’s model to make quality ethical decisions. The practice will encourage NPS to make the best ethical decisions.
Resolving the Above Dilemma Using Uustal’s Model
Uustal’s decision-making model can support the ethical needs of many NPs. ThisNPSdel can be used to tackle the above ethical dilemma. The first approach is analyzing the nature of the dilemma. The above child cannot make his or her health decisions. The parents also have their preferable health options. The mother’s religious beliefs make it impossible for her to accept any medical intervention. The father believes that his child should get the best medical treatment. It is agreeable that the targeted child is not aware of this dilemma. The best ethical position should ensure the child gets the required medical support (Casterle, Izumi, Godfrey, & Denhaerynck, 2008). However, this decision will not fulfill the expectations of the non-biological mother.
The next step is generating several alternatives to address this dilemma. The first alternative is supporting the needs of the child. The second option is avoiding any medical treatment. I will also welcome the decisions and opinions of my superiors. This approach will ensure the institution addresses the health goals of the child (Casterle et al., 2008).
The most acceptable solution is ensuring that the child gets the required treatment for meningitis. However, the mother will be unhappy with the proposed decision. This practice will ensure the targeted child gets the best medical support (Casterle et al., 2008). The child will lead a normal life after receiving the treatment. However, the non-biological mother will be unhappy with the above decision. The above decision will also affect the child’s mother negatively (Casterle et al., 2008). The decision will also affect her religious values.
As a caregiver, the most important goal is ensuring that the child gets the best medical attention. That being the case, I will use a powerful Action Plan (AP) to suSAPort the health expectations of the child. The practice will produce quality health outcomes (Ahmed & Ali, 2013). I will begin by talking with the child’s biological father. According to the scenario, the father seems to embrace the power of medical treatment. I will inform him about the health needs of the child. I will also interact with the child’s mother. The mother will understand the importance of adequate medical practices. I will encourage her to focus on the health outcomes of the child. The issue of religion will also be addressed throughout the practice. Every medical practice should be aimed at “promoting the best religious values” (Thorne, 2009, p. 274). The child will also receive culturally-competent care. Caregivers should “ensure their decisions are ethical in nature” (Thorne, 2009, p. 274)
I will also welcome my workmates to educate the child’s mother. She will understand the importance of providing quality medical treatment to the child. The practitioners will ensure the mother “strikes a balance between medical science and religion” (Ahmed & Ali, 2013, p. 9). My actions will produce quality ethical decisions and medical outcomes.
I will collaborate with different physicians in order to improve the child’s health position. Parents should always forget their differences in an attempt to get the best outcomes (Ahmed & Ali, 2013). Physicians should therefore use Uustal’s model to deal with various ethical dilemmas. Such practitioners will eventually acquire new health competencies.
Dialog: Decision to the Family
My most important goal is to ensure the targeted child regains his or her health. Meningitis is a life-threatening disease humanity today. This disease has a very high mortality rate. Untreated meningitis results in different health problems. The condition can also result in death. That being the case, parents and communities should undertake the most appropriate strategies to deal with this deadly disease. Patients should get appropriate treatment immediately. Any form of delay in medical treatment will affect the outcomes of the targeted patient (Ahmed & Ali, 2013).
I have therefore decided to administer the right medication to the child. Our health institution has always provided culturally-competent care. The institution also focuses on the best religious values. This practice encourages us to support the health needs of every believer. God loves this child. The institution has therefore decided to provide the best health care. Proper medical interventions and prayers can produce the best results (Deegan, 2012). Every person in the family should continue praying for this child. Prayers can make a huge difference in the child’s health outcomes. These reasons explain why I have decided to offer the required medical treatment to the child. In conclusion, the targeted child will be able to lead a normal life after this treatment.
References
Ahmed, Y., & Ali, T. (2013). End of Life Ethics in Cancer Patients: Conflicts and Dilemmas. International Journal of Medical Research, 1(2), 7-12.
Casterle, B., Izumi, S., Godfrey, N., & Denhaerynck, G. (2008). Nurses’ Responses to Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing Practice: Meta-Analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 63(6), 540-549.
Deegan, J. (2012). A View from the Outside: Nurses’ Clinical Decision-Making in the Twenty-First Century. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 40(4), 12-18.
Thorne, L. (2009). The Association Between Ethical Conflict and Adverse Outcomes. Journal of Business Ethics, 92(2), 269-276.