Identify ethical dilemmas encountered in professional nursing practice. Describe the ethical theories and principles influencing healthcare decisions.

QUESTION

Identify ethical dilemmas encountered in professional nursing practice.

Describe the ethical theories and principles influencing healthcare decisions.

Explain the interdependency of genetics, genomics, and ethics on nursing care.

Describe the principles of genetics and genomics.

Differentiate the legal and professional policies influencing healthcare decisions.

Design nursing care strategies which incorporate genetic and genomic risk factors.

ANSWER

Ethical Dilemmas and the Influence of Genetics and Genomics on Nursing Care

Introduction

In the field of professional nursing practice, healthcare providers often encounter various ethical dilemmas that require careful consideration and decision-making. These dilemmas arise from the need to balance patient autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and other ethical principles. Moreover, as genetics and genomics continue to play a significant role in healthcare, nurses must navigate the complex interdependency between genetics, genomics, and ethics to provide comprehensive patient-centered care. This essay explores the ethical dilemmas encountered in professional nursing practice, the ethical theories and principles influencing healthcare decisions, and the integration of genetics and genomics into nursing care strategies.

Ethical Dilemmas in Professional Nursing Practice

Professional nurses frequently encounter ethical dilemmas that challenge their moral and professional responsibilities. These dilemmas can arise from issues such as end-of-life care, patient confidentiality, informed consent, resource allocation, and cultural sensitivity. For instance, nurses may face the ethical dilemma of respecting a patient’s autonomy by honoring their end-of-life wishes while simultaneously upholding the principle of non-maleficence by providing palliative care to alleviate suffering (Ulrich et al., 2010). These dilemmas require nurses to carefully consider and balance the competing ethical principles involved in each situation.

Ethical Theories and Principles Influencing Healthcare Decisions

Various ethical theories and principles guide healthcare decisions, including those made by nurses. Some common ethical theories include utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics. Utilitarianism focuses on maximizing overall happiness and minimizing harm for the greatest number of people. Deontology emphasizes adherence to moral rules and duties. Virtue ethics focuses on developing and practicing moral virtues to make ethical decisions.

Principles such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice heavily influence healthcare decisions. Autonomy respects the patient’s right to make decisions about their own care. Beneficence promotes actions that benefit the patient, while non-maleficence emphasizes avoiding harm. Justice ensures fair distribution of healthcare resources and treatment opportunities. Nurses must apply these principles in their decision-making process to navigate complex ethical dilemmas effectively.

Interdependency of Genetics, Genomics, and Ethics on Nursing Care

Genetics and genomics have revolutionized healthcare, enabling more personalized and precise approaches to patient care. However, their integration into nursing practice raises ethical considerations. Nurses must be aware of the potential ethical dilemmas associated with genetic testing, confidentiality of genetic information, and genetic discrimination.

The interdependency between genetics, genomics, and ethics in nursing care lies in the ethical responsibility to respect patient autonomy, promote beneficence, ensure non-maleficence, and uphold justice when addressing genetic and genomic issues. Nurses must respect patient autonomy by providing adequate information about genetic testing, including its risks, benefits, and potential implications (Varkey, 2020). They should also promote beneficence by utilizing genetic information to tailor treatments and interventions for improved patient outcomes. Non-maleficence requires protecting patients from potential harm associated with genetic testing or disclosure of genetic information. Finally, justice demands equitable access to genetic and genomic resources and protection against genetic discrimination.

Principles of Genetics and Genomics

Genetics is the study of inherited traits and their variations among individuals, while genomics focuses on the study of all genes and their interactions in the genome. These fields contribute to the understanding of genetic disorders, disease susceptibility, and the potential for personalized medicine (Hernandez, 2006). Nurses must have a basic understanding of genetic principles, including Mendelian inheritance, gene expression, and genetic variation, to effectively incorporate genetics and genomics into their practice.

Differentiating Legal and Professional Policies Influencing Healthcare Decisions

Healthcare decisions are influenced by both legal and professional policies. Legal policies include legislation and regulations that govern healthcare practices and protect patient rights. Professional policies, on the other hand, are guidelines and standards set by professional nursing organizations to ensure safe and ethical nursing practice.

Legal policies, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), protect patient confidentiality and regulate the use and disclosure of patient information, including genetic information (Edemekong, 2022). Professional policies, such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics, provide guidance on ethical nursing practice, including the integration of genetics and genomics into care delivery.

Designing Nursing Care Strategies Incorporating Genetic and Genomic Risk Factors

To incorporate genetic and genomic risk factors into nursing care, several strategies can be employed. Firstly, nurses should obtain a thorough family history to identify potential genetic predispositions and facilitate appropriate referrals for genetic counseling or testing. Secondly, nurses can educate patients about the implications of genetic and genomic information, empowering them to make informed decisions about their healthcare. Additionally, nurses can collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop care plans that integrate genetic and genomic information for personalized interventions and risk reduction strategies.

Conclusion

Professional nursing practice often involves complex ethical dilemmas that require careful consideration and decision-making. With the growing role of genetics and genomics in healthcare, nurses must navigate the interdependency between genetics, genomics, and ethics to provide holistic and patient-centered care. By incorporating ethical principles, understanding genetic and genomic principles, and adhering to legal and professional policies, nurses can design effective care strategies that address genetic and genomic risk factors, ultimately improving patient outcomes and experiences.

References

Edemekong, P. F. (2022, February 3). Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500019/ 

Hernandez, L. M. (2006). Genetics and Health. Genes, Behavior, and the Social Environment – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK19932/ 

Ulrich, C. M., Taylor, C. A., Soeken, K. L., O’Donnell, P., Farrar, A., Danis, M., & Grady, C. (2010). Everyday ethics: ethical issues and stress in nursing practice. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 66(11), 2510–2519. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2010.05425.x 

Varkey, B. (2020). Principles of Clinical Ethics and Their Application to Practice. Medical Principles and Practice, 30(1), 17–28. https://doi.org/10.1159/000509119