Case Analysis on Ethical Dilemmas

CASE ANALYSIS

I should try to explain to the patient , Mrs . Brown , that a chest X-ray will determine exactly what is causing the pain in the right side of her chest

1 . The decision of not getting a chest X-ray done may affect Mrs Brown , as the pain she has complained about has been recurring for the last months . Mrs . Brown may also experience progressive difficulty in breathing , laughing or coughing

2a . The ethically right way to respond to this case scenario is to accept Mrs . Brown 's response of not

agreeing to the chest x-ray However , it is also ethically right to fully explain what her condition may be and that there is an imperative need to determine the actual cause of the pain on the right side of her chest . It will be unethical to simply accept Mrs . Brown 's refusal of a chest x-ray without explaining to her the possible causes of such pain

2b . The ANA Code of Ethics states that the health of a patient should be protected and thus the nurse should perform his utmost capability in convincing the patient of the importance of this procedure . It is possible that the patient does not fully understand her current physical condition and thus it is the nurse 's responsibility to make the patient aware of the possible illness that the patient is suffering . It is also the nurse 's responsibility to explain to the patient that x-rays are harmless to a patient , especially when these...