What are the key ethical principles involved in this dilemma

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Reference no: EM133420867

Assignment:

A 48-year-old woman was scheduled for a below-the-knee amputation due to complications from diabetes. She was admitted to the preoperative area, signed a number of surgical permits, and was given her preoperative sedative medication. Because clients undergoing this type of surgery usually lose a significant amount of blood, several units of blood had been typed and cross-matched and placed on standby for her. After she was moved to the operating room and anesthetized, the nurse anesthetist rapidly administered the first unit of blood in preparation for the anticipated blood loss during surgery.

The circulating nurse was checking the paperwork before the beginning of the operation and noticed that there was no consent signed for the administration of blood products. In examining the chart further, she noted that "Jehovah's Witness" was written under the Religion section. The Jehovah's Witness religion does not allow blood transfusions or transplantation of any tissue or organs. The circulating nurse told the nurse anesthetist about the client's religion, and his response was, "Holy cow-I can't believe this is happening!"

The family did not know about the blood transfusion, and obviously the client, who was under anesthesia, did not know she had received a unit of blood. The nurse anesthetist announced that it was not his fault because he was never told about the client's religion and was not going to tell the family or client about the mistake. The circulating nurse felt that because she did not administer the blood, she should not be the one to inform the family. The unit manager was called in, and the consensus was that she should be the one to reveal the information because she was ultimately responsible for what occurred in the surgical unit. Her feeling was that because no physical harm was done to the client, the whole incident should just be kept quiet.

Questions for Thought

1. Using the ethical decision-making model, work through the decision-making process for this ethical dilemma.

2. What are the key ethical principles involved in this dilemma?

3. What are the possible solutions to the dilemma and their consequences?

4. How would you resolve the dilemma? How would you defend your decision?

Reference no: EM133420867

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