The document discusses an ethical dilemma involving a child whose well-being is in question. The nurse noticed the child seemed uncomfortable with the mother's boyfriend and unwilling to interact with others. Though child protective services found no issues, the nurse and others feel concern for the child's welfare. The best option is to report the case to child protective services and the state office of children and family services to ensure the child's long-term safety and well-being are protected, even though doing so may upset some involved parties. As advocates for patients, nurses have an ethical duty to report any situation that could undermine a child's health or the role of the healthcare system.

1. Running head: ETHICAL DILEMMA 1
An Ethical Dilemma. Making A Moral Decision
Name
Institution

2. ETHICAL DILEMMA 2
An Ethical Dilemma. Making A Moral Decision
According to Marquis and Huston (2015), a moral decision-making model constitutes an
amalgamation of principles of bioethics and nursing process. Bioethics in the nursing field seeks
to resolve ethical issues nurses encounter in the course of their work that involves assessing,
diagnosing, planning, implementing and evaluating patients while upholding the principles of
autonomy, beneficence, and justice.
In addressing ethical dilemma using the decision-making model, it is critical to collect all
the necessary data and in formatting regarding the case. In the current case (A nagging
uneasiness) there are underlying cases if child abuse and neglect. The parents of the child are
embroiled in a divorce case, and the father is concerned about the possible mistreatment of the
child and the child is uncomfortable with the current mother’s boyfriend who is making the child
irritable and unwilling to interact with strangers. Although the Child Protective Services did not
identify any irregularities, it is critical to ensure the child receives the necessary attention. To
address the plight of the child, the nurse, social work department, the ethical department and
physician should collaborate in the process of decision-making.
Having had to bring up a child a child who has been bruised from various activities, I
have come to acknowledge the importance of empathetic concerns. Having provided for the
child and being benevolent to all children at my child’s age, I have come to appreciate the
importance of understanding early sign warning.
I highly relate to the case of the child having have cared for a similar child; it is easy to
find my values as relating to deontological approach. Deontological ethics highlights the
importance of the principle of duty or doing once duty or responsibility regardless of

3. ETHICAL DILEMMA 3
consequences. As such, I could be guided not to intervene in the case because we are unsure of
the consequences. However, as a nurse, I have a deontologic responsibility to ensure my clients
receive the best services (Wilson, 2013).
In the moral decision-making model, it is essential to outline all the possible alternatives
and their consequences. The possible alternatives in the current case include ignoring the plight
of the child, calling social service, reporting to CPS, or reporting to the state office of children
and family services. In the first alternative (do nothing), the child may continue expressing abuse
and neglect, thus making the alternative the least appealing. The second alternative is to inform
the social work department. Given that the patient and all the involved parties have departed, the
alternative is moderately weak. Thirdly, the involved parties can report the case to the state
office to children and family services. Although the physician, the supervisor, and OCFS may be
angered, it is the most viable alternative that may guarantee long-term security of the child, other
factors may influence the integrity of the alternative.
The most viable alternative is to inform the CPS and OCFS. As a registered nurse, I have
an advocacy role that compels me to act on behalf of the client at a policy level. Nurses are
expected to report any case that violates the interest of the patient or undermines the critical role
of health care system.
Although the decision to report the case may be unpopular, it is the only sure way to
ensure that not only the health of the child but also the security and overall wellbeing of the child
is maintained. An evaluation of the case indicates the complex nature of nursing practice and the
importance of having up-to-date information and patient-centered care.

4. ETHICAL DILEMMA 4
References
Marquis, B.L. & Huston, C.J. (2015). Leadership roles and management functions in nursing:
Theory and Application (8th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Office of Children and Family Services [OCFS]. (n.d.) Retrieved
fromhttp://www.nysmandatedreporter.org
Wilson, D. (2013). What can history do for Bioethics?. Bioethics, 27(4), 215-223 9p.