Nokea
An RN knows that sometimes, when working through an ethical dilemma, the decision makers are unable to arrive at a mutually agreed upon decision. Which of the following is a reason why an agreement cannot be reached?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because when an ethical dilemma involves two or more equally unpleasant choices, it can be challenging for decision-makers to come to a consensus. This is known as a moral dilemma, where there is no clear right or wrong option, making it difficult to reach an agreement. In such cases, individuals may have strong convictions about different courses of action, leading to a deadlock in decision-making.
Incorrect choices:
A: One or more of the parties may be able to reconcile their values - This choice suggests that parties can find common ground by adjusting their values, which is not always possible in complex ethical dilemmas.
B: The patient’s point of view is recognized as valuable - While recognizing the patient's perspective is important, it may not directly address the core reason why an agreement cannot be reached.
D: The institution is unable to honor the patient’s request - This choice focuses on institutional constraints rather than the fundamental nature of ethical dilemmas and decision-making processes.