A nurse is providing care to a patient who is a Jehovah's Witness.Against the patient's wishes,the physician ordered the nurse to give the patient two units of packed red blood cells.The nurse knows that the blood will save the patient's life,but also that it is against the patient's wishes; she is unsure what is the right thing for her to do.The nurse is experiencing a(n) :

A) Reflection encounter
B) Ethical dilemma
C) Moral outrage
D) Moral distress

Question

Cherie Kerns · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : B , Explanation :  The nurse is experiencing an ethical dilemma based on the conflict between the ethical principles of beneficence and autonomy.The nurse has not yet made a decision.This is not a situation of moral distress,in which the nurse would have made an acceptable moral decision,but was unable to implement it because of external constraints.The nurse does not perceive that others are acting immorally; thus,this is not moral outrage.

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