What is a common ethical dilemma nurses face?

Balancing patient autonomy with beneficent care practices is a central ethical dilemma in the nursing profession. Autonomy refers to a patient's right to make informed decisions about their own healthcare, including the right to refuse treatment. Nurses must respect these choices while also striving to provide the best possible care, which involves considering what is beneficial for the patient's health.

This dilemma is particularly challenging because patients may make decisions that conflict with medical advice or what the nurse believes is in the patient's best interest. For example, a patient may refuse a life-saving treatment due to personal beliefs or fears, and the nurse must navigate this situation by supporting the patient’s right to choose while also providing education and recommendations based on clinical knowledge and ethics. This interplay highlights the complexity of healthcare decisions and the need for effective communication skills, empathy, and understanding of ethical principles in nursing practice.

Other options present ethical considerations but do not encapsulate the deep-rooted tension seen in the dynamic relationship between patient choice and clinical responsibility that is embodied in balancing autonomy and beneficence.