The Ethical Dilemma Of Grand Nursing Theories - 1577 Words

Grand nursing theories are global in their application to nursing and have been instrumental in developing the science of nursing (McEwen Wills, 2014). Grand nursing theories are abstract and can be applied to many different situations. Because grand nursing theories are broad they can be applied to ethical dilemmas that occur in nursing practice. Ethical dilemmas are a part of the healthcare field and it is important to know how to navigate through the murky waters that dilemmas can present. Nursing theories are a road map that allows nurses and healthcare workers to find the best option to resolve a problem. One of the theories developed was by Virginia Henderson and called the theory of need and is still being applied to nursing†¦show more content†¦The patient’s son accused the nursing staff of mistreating his mother by administering pain medications to frequently which was causing his mother to be overly sedated and would not allow administration of pain medicat ion without his approval first. The son was refusing to accept his mother’s condition and assumed his mother would make a miraculous recovery, he was always coming to the hospital in the middle of the night drunk. Because the nursing staff was distressed over the son’s refusal to accept his mother’s condition, an ethics meeting was convened to decide what was ethically appropriate for the patient. After the meeting, the patient was changed to comfort care and nursing staff was allowed to administer medications as necessary to keep the patient comfortable. The nursing staff updated the son twice a day on his mother’s condition and the patient soon passed away with her son at the bedside. Grand Nursing Theory There are many grand nursing theories that could be applied to this ethical dilemma. However, Virginia Henderson recognized death as an option when treatment is no longer an option. Virginia Henderson developed the theory of need. The theory of need defines nursing as â€Å"assist[ing] the individual, sick or well, in the performance of those activities that will contribute to health or its recovery (or to a peaceful death) that the person would perform unaided given the necessary strength, will, or knowledge† (Henderson, 1997, p. 22). â€Å"She described theShow MoreRelatedApplying Ethical Frameworks in Practice - 1 Essay1237 Words   |  5 PagesRunning head: ETHICAL FRAMEWORKS IN PRACTICE Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice Grand Canyon University NRS 437 V May 9, 2012 Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice Patient confidentiality is part of the Nursing Code of Ethics and it is a nurses’ duty to uphold confidentiality of patient information (American Nurses Association, 2012). 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