Comp 090

Ethical Dilemma

Throughout the course of their careers, nurses can face a variety of ethical dilemmas. Due to

the intense nature of their work; it is important for them to handle those situations in a way that

respects the patients' rights Yet, the situation is totally different when it depend on family or friend's

family member.

In October last year, it was a sunlit day. I decided to take a walk with my best friend. She is a

nurse and she was off that day. While we were walking around enjoying the breeze and the stunning

view of falling leaves, my friend got a phone call from her mom. The news was so shocking; it was her

dad who just get diagnosed with late stage prostate cancer. The bad event was such a big struggle for

my poor friend. I tried my best to calm her down, but she shed tears. The dilemma was this: either they

could stop the treatment because my friend's dad's health conditions had gotten worse; or he could

continue with chemotherapy, even though it will not resolve the problem. The cancer had already

spread to the lymph nodes and kidney. After disscution with the physician and my friend's family, the

decision was hard enough. However, it was the best decision for my friend's dad. He stayed in the

hospital for a couple of months under morphine treatment, until he passed away peacefully.

During her career, my best friend always faced various dilemmas. But this one was very

challenging since it concerned her dad's life. Since, she is the baby of the family and in love with her

dad. In deepest sympathy, I comforted and I wished strenght throughout ther sorrow.