Reference no: EM133323721

Case: You are a nurse caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with terminal colon cancer. His daughter (Elizabeth) approaches you during your shift and says that she is afraid that she is also at genetic risk for colon cancer because she knows that it often runs in families. She wants to have genetic testing done, and she has read on the Internet that the test will be less expensive if she knows the specific mutation carried by her father. The problem is that her father does not know that his colon cancer might be inherited and that his children might be at risk. Elizabeth does not want to tell her father and ask his permission to have the genetic test done. She is afraid that he will feel guilty, and she wants to spare him this pain. Elizabeth asks if you would please take a cheek swab from her father so that she can send it off for testing. She is afraid that if she tries to do it herself, she will do it wrong, and she knows how important this is.

1. What is the ethical dilemma in this case?

2. What assumptions is Elizabeth making?

3. Which ethical principles are important in deciding the best action(s) to take? Elizabeth's father's right to privacy is important here.

4. Whom might you consult to get support in this situation?