In a care scenario where a capable elderly patient demands a potentially harmful medication, what ethical dilemma does the nurse face?

The ethical dilemma in this scenario centers around the principles of respect for autonomy and nonmaleficence. Respect for autonomy acknowledges the patient's right to make informed decisions about their own healthcare, even when those decisions may seem unwise or potentially harmful. In this case, the elderly patient is capable and insists on a medication that could cause harm, thereby exercising their autonomy.

On the other hand, nonmaleficence is the ethical principle that obligates healthcare providers to avoid causing harm to patients. The nurse must consider the ethical implications of allowing the patient to take the medication versus intervening to prevent potential harm. This creates an ethical conflict: the nurse must weigh the patient's right to make their own choices against the duty to protect them from harm.

The combination of these two principles encapsulates the ethical complexity of the situation, as the nurse navigates the challenge of honoring the patient's autonomy while also protecting them from the risks associated with the medication. This nuanced conflict is what defines the ethical dilemma faced by the nurse.