Issues |
AbortionAbortion is a worldwide practice, and is discussed in multiple other practices (BioMedical Ethics). Many people and religions disapprove it, but it is still used. It is relatively safe, but can cause a number of side effects including but not limited to naudea, abdomen pain, and internal bleeding. The question is when the fetus/embryo can be considered alive, or a person, on whether a person is alive before or after birth.
Nursing Ethical Dilemma: Ethical Rights and Responsibilities in Abortion Nurses have the ethical and moral obligation to protect and promote life. Current nursing dilemma lies in the right and responsibilities of nurses towards abortion versus the rights of patients choosing to abort. With the increasing legislative activity regarding abortion law in every state, nursing position is problematic in view of respecting patient rights and professional pro-life advocacy. The role and responsibility of the nurse as well as the rights of patients are supported within law, and within the ethical framework provided by the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (ANA, 2001).
In view of abortion, nurses are agreeable if medically indicated. However, nurses should respect the choices of the mother for as long as the abortion is legal under the state law. Nurses should provide the information of alternative and respecting the patient’s right to freedom from imposition and the right to receive the utmost care in an environment that provides privacy, culturally appropriate, and specific nursing expertise (ANA, 2011). If abortion is against the personal moral, ethical, and religious values of the nurse, the nurse has right to refuse to participate in a voluntary termination of pregnancy, except in an emergency situation, where the patient's needs do not allow for substitution and should not be ubjected to coercion, censure or discipline for reasons of such refusal (ANA, 2001, Provision #4, #5, & #6). If providing care, it should be competent, supportive, and nonjudgmental. However, the nurse should be aware of the abortion laws within the state of practice to be more legally binding. |