MScN Student, Aga Khan University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Pakistan
In any healthcare organization care providers often encounter ethical dilemmas while dealing with patients. A case study presented ethical dilemma faced by a nurse who was caring for an old female diagnosis with severe interstitial Lung Disease (ILD). The patient verbally expressed her will not to give any aggressive treatment and wish a comfort end of life. Her son desired to do all possible treatment and ultimately the patient died with painful experiences. The ethical dilemma demonstrated whether to respect the patient’ autonomy or refuse and do aggressive treatment. This paper discusses a case study and present Volbrecht's framework of virtue ethics to analyze the ethical dilemma.
Ethical Dilemma, Autonomy, End of Life Care, Advanced Directives (AD)
