After listing options, what should be done next in ethical decision making?

• A. State the ethical dilemma including surrounding issues and individuals involved
• B. List and analyze all possible options for resolving the dilemma and review implications of each option
• C. Select option that aligns with ethical principles applicable to the situation
• D. Apply this decision to the dilemma and evaluate the outcomes

Answer: (C)

When you’ve listed the possible paths, the next step is to pick the option that best aligns with the ethical principles guiding nursing practice and the specifics of the situation. This means weighing each option against core values like autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice, along with professional codes and any applicable laws or standards. Choosing the ethically aligned option provides a principled course of action to implement. After making that selection, you then apply the decision to the dilemma and evaluate the outcomes to see if the action achieved the intended ethical aim.