Sample interview questions: Can you provide an example of a time when you had to navigate ethical dilemmas in patient care?
Sample answer:
As a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), I have encountered numerous ethical dilemmas throughout my career. One particularly challenging situation involved a patient with end-stage renal disease who was refusing dialysis.
The patient, a 72-year-old woman with a long history of medical issues, had been hospitalized with severe complications from her renal failure. Her medical team recommended dialysis as the best course of treatment, but she adamantly refused. She expressed a strong belief in letting nature take its course and stated that she was ready to die.
The ethical dilemma arose from the conflict between the patient’s autonomy and the medical team’s obligation to provide life-sustaining treatment. The team felt that dialysis would significantly improve the patient’s quality of life and prolong her survival, while the patient valued her right to make choices about her own care.
To navigate this dilemma, I facilitated a thorough discussion with the patient, her family, and the medical team. I provided the patient with detailed information about dialysis, its benefits, and potential risks. I also listened attentively to her reasons for refusing treatment and explored alternative options.
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