Question

The patient for whom you are caring needs a liver transplant to survive. This patient has been out of work for several months and doesn't have health insurance or enough cash. Even though several ethical principles are at work in this case, list the principles from highest to lowest priority.

1 Accountability because you as the nurse are accountable for the well-being of this patient
2 Respect for autonomy because this patient's autonomy will be violated if he does not receive the liver transplant
3 Ethics of care because the caring thing that a nurse could provide this patient is resources for a liver transplant
4 Justice because the first and greatest question in this situation is how to determine the just distribution of resources

Answer 1

Ethical principles in healthcare, including justice, autonomy, accountability, and care ethics, are critical when addressing situations like a patient's need for a liver transplant without sufficient resources. These principles guide decisions prioritizing the equitable distribution of resources and the individual patient's agency and well-being.

Step-by-step explanation:

The predicament of a patient in need of a liver transplant without adequate resources intersects several ethical principles which guide medical practices. In such a context, these ethical principles include respect for autonomy—patients' right to self-determination; beneficence—acting in the best interests of patients; nonmaleficence—avoiding harm; and justice—fairness in the distribution of healthcare resources. Moreover, care ethics, which emphasizes compassion and responsibility, should be considered and integrated into the decision-making process.

When prioritizing these principles, while recognizing all are vital, one might order them from broad societal concerns to individual patient needs. The principle of justice demands equitable access to healthcare and might initially seem to take precedence, examining the fair allocation of scarce medical resources. Respect for autonomy follows, giving the patient agency in their care decisions. Accountability and ethics of care may be seen as more immediately situated within the nurse-patient relationship, requiring healthcare providers to advocate for individual patient welfare and access to necessary treatments. Ultimately, these principles are often interrelated, and their prioritization can vary based on individual circumstances and societal values.