From means to ends: artificial nutrition and hydration

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Nursing Ethics
• Medical Ethics

Background:

• Nurses frequently confront ethical dilemmas concerning life-sustaining treatments, including artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH).
• Effective patient and family support necessitates nurses possessing strong moral and ethical discernment, practical wisdom, and a robust knowledge base.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the essential skills and knowledge development required for nurses to act as moral agents in end-of-life care decisions.
• To examine how nurses can best assist patients and families in making informed choices about ANH.

Main Methods:

• The study synthesizes existing literature on nursing ethics, moral development, and decision-making in critical care.
• Analysis focuses on the integration of experiential learning, didactic instruction, ethical principles, intuition, codes, and theories.

Main Results:

• Nurses' moral knowledge is cultivated through a combination of practical experience, formal education, and ethical deliberation.
• Developing confidence in ethical reasoning and knowledge acquisition empowers nurses to effectively guide families through ANH decisions.

Conclusions:

• Nurses need a comprehensive skill set encompassing ethical discernment and practical wisdom to manage life-sustaining treatment decisions.
• Continuous development of moral knowledge is essential for nurses to fulfill their role as moral agents in supporting families during critical care situations.