NR 581 Week 6 Discussion: Ethical Challenges in Patient Care – Chamberlain University College of Nursing, MSN Program, 2026

Discussion Overview

Students examine ethical challenges that arise during patient care in advanced nursing practice. The discussion focuses on real scenarios where nurses balance patient rights with professional responsibilities. Participants share experiences and suggest ways to handle these situations based on established guidelines.

Discussion Requirements

• Initial Post: Submit a 300- to 400-word response by Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. MT, describing a specific ethical challenge from clinical practice and explaining how ethical principles apply.
• Peer Responses: Provide at least two replies to classmates by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. MT, each between 150 and 200 words, offering constructive feedback or alternative perspectives.
• Format: Use APA 7th edition for citations and references within posts.
• Content: Draw from course readings and at least one external source to support your points.
• Participation: Engage actively to foster thoughtful dialogue among peers.

Grading Rubric

1. Initial Post Content (40 points): Presents a clear ethical challenge with relevant principles and evidence.
2. Application of Concepts (30 points): Connects the scenario to ethical frameworks and nursing standards.
3. Peer Responses (20 points): Offers insightful comments that build on others’ ideas.
4. APA and Writing (10 points): Follows style guidelines with clear, error-free writing.

Total: 100 points. Deductions apply for late posts at 10% per day.

Nurses often encounter situations where family members request withholding information from patients about their diagnosis. Ethical principles like autonomy require full disclosure to support informed decisions. Research indicates that honest communication improves patient outcomes and trust in healthcare providers.

Peer-Reviewed References

• Epstein, R.M. and Street, R.L., 2019. The values and value of patient-centered care. Annals of Family Medicine, 9(2), pp.100-103. DOI: 10.1370/afm.1239. Available at: https://www.annfammed.org/content/9/2/100
• Beauchamp, T.L. and Childress, J.F., 2021. Principles of biomedical ethics. 8th ed. Oxford University Press. Available at: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/principles-of-biomedical-ethics-9780190640873
• Peter, E. and Liaschenko, J., 2020. Moral distress reexamined: A feminist interpretation of nurses’ identities, relationships, and responsibilities. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 10(3), pp.303-316. DOI: 10.1007/s11673-013-9456-5. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11673-013-9456-5
• Kon, A.A., Davidson, J.E., Morrison, W., Danis, M. and White, D.B., 2018. Shared decision making in ICUs: An American College of Critical Care Medicine and American Thoracic Society policy statement. Critical Care Medicine, 44(1), pp.188-201. DOI: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000001396. Available at: https://journals.lww.com/ccmjournal/fulltext/2016/01000/shared_decision_making_in_icus__an_american.26.aspx