Problem: The classic model by Curtain (1978) provides the following steps for the ethical decision-making process:
- Obtaining background information
- Identifying the ethical components
- Identifying the ethical agents or people involved
- Identifying ethical principles to the issues like self-determination
- Making a final resolution or decision to the ethical dilemma
For this discussion activity, choose two ethical issues in nursing practice that you may have encountered, such as: informed consent, advance directives, organ procurement and donation, genomics, impaired or incompetent colleagues, health equity, or an issue of your choice. Determine how each identified issue in nursing practice relates to four major ethical principles: autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice. Then, use Curtain's steps for ethical decision-making to evaluate the resolution of the situation.