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Decide Now! A Qualitative Study on Intensive Care Nurses' Moral Distress During Advanced Cardiopulmonary Life Support
Güzin Ayan1, Ayda Kebapcı2, Furkan Cihat Arıcı3,4
1Gediz Vocational of Health Services, Department of Medical Services and Techniques, Kutahya University of Health Sciences, Kutahya, Turkey.
Nursing in Critical Care
|June 11, 2026
Summary
Intensive care nurses experience moral distress during advanced cardiopulmonary life support due to various factors including organizational issues and care delivery challenges. Addressing these requires improved training and a supportive work environment to reduce nurse distress.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Medical Ethics
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Intensive care nurses face moral distress when unable to provide ethically ideal care during advanced cardiopulmonary life support.
- Patient vulnerability during critical care necessitates sensitive nursing interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of moral distress in intensive care nurses during advanced cardiopulmonary life support.
- To identify contextual factors contributing to this moral distress.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative, descriptive study utilizing semi-structured interviews.
- Involved 21 experienced intensive care nurses with advanced cardiopulmonary life support experience.
- Data collected in November-December 2023 and analyzed using content analysis.
Main Results:
- Three key themes emerged: decisions in resuscitation, organizational disorganization, and person-centred care.
- Sub-themes highlighted issues like lack of knowledge, legal obligations, and inadequate teamwork.
- Inadequacies in person-centred care and equipment also contributed to distress.
Conclusions:
- Intensive care nurses frequently experience moral distress during advanced cardiopulmonary life support.
- Factors include knowledge gaps, legal constraints, organizational problems, and care delivery issues.
- Recommendations include targeted training, ACLS simulations, and fostering a supportive work environment.
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