The nurse is faced with an ethical issue. When assessing the ethical issue, which action should the nurse perform first?

Question

a. Ask, "What is the issue?"
b. Identify all possible alternatives.
c. Select the best option from a list of alternatives.
d. Justify the choice of action or inaction.

Answer 1

ANS: A
The first step in the situational assessment procedure is to find out the technical and scientific facts and assess the human dimension of the situation—the feelings, emotions, attitudes, and opinions. Trying to understand the full picture of a situation is time consuming and requires examination from many different perspectives, but it is worth the time and effort that is required to understand an issue fully before moving forward in the assessment procedure. Identifying alternatives is the second step in the situation assessment procedure. A set of alternatives cannot be established until an assessment has been completed. Selecting the best option is actually the third step in the situation assessment procedure. Options cannot be selected until an assessment has been done to define the issue. Justifying the action or inaction is the final step in the situational assessment procedure. No justification can be made until the assessment and action phases have been completed.