When a physician writes an order for the nurse to withhold life-saving

QUESTION

When a physician writes an order for the nurse to withhold life-saving treatment from a terminally ill client, the nurse is faced with two different choices, each supported by a different ethical principle. This type of conflict is known as

a. covert conflict.
b. overt conflict.
c. interpersonal conflict.
d. intrapersonal conflict.

ANSWER:

ANS: D
A conflict can be internal (intrapersonal); that is, it can represent opposing feelings within an individual. Intrapersonal conflict arises when nurses are faced with two different choices, each supported by a different ethical principle. More often, conflict is covert and not so clear-cut. The conflict issues are hidden. The client talks about one issue, but talking does not seem to help and the issue does not get resolved. Overt conflict refers to conflict that is observable in the client’s behavior and expressed verbally. Interpersonal conflict occurs between two or more people.