Is this an ethical dilemma or a moral dilemma?

You will write a three-page paper analyzing this military nurse’s dilemma in terms of the following question. Provide a bibliography of at least three references.
There is a decision between an ethical dilemma and a moral dilemma:
An ethical dilemma requires a choice between two equally appealing, mutually exclusive choices OR two equally distasteful alternatives, also mutually exclusive.
A moral dilemma emerges when a person knows what is right but is constrained from doing it by forces beyond his control, or conversely, knows what is wrong but is compelled to do it anyway.
A military RN is ordered to force feed a terrorist prisoner while he is undergoing interrogation. The prisoner is on a hunger strike protesting his capture and highlighting his cause. The nurse is to ensure the prisoner remains hydrated and fed so he can provide information and does not starve. The nurse is torn. On the one hand, the nurse has strong loyalty to the military objective of ensuring public safety by uncovering terrorists plots along with fear of reprisal if orders are disobeyed. Yet, the nurse is appalled at overriding a patient’s wishes by force feeding him against his will.
Tasks
Write a three-page paper that answers following questions:
Is this an ethical dilemma or a moral dilemma?
What ethical principles are in contention? How?
Are there any virtues at risk? Whose? Why?
What justifies overriding an individual’s autonomy to make his own choices?
What lessons can be learned from this nurse’s dilemma?
Ensure that your paper is APA formatted and includes:
A title page
The body of the paper with a conclusion
A reference page
You will have in-text citations APA cited and you will have the reference page APA formatted. You should have at least three (3) references to support your viewpoint.

ANSWER
The scenario presented involving the military RN’s decision to force-feed a hunger-striking terrorist prisoner during interrogation raises complex ethical and moral dilemmas. To analyze this situation thoroughly, we need to distinguish between ethical and moral dilemmas, identify the ethical principles in contention, consider the virtues at risk, examine the justification for overriding autonomy, and derive lessons from this nurse’s dilemma.

**Ethical vs. Moral Dilemma:**
In this case, it is primarily an ethical dilemma. The military RN faces conflicting ethical principles and choices, making it challenging to determine the best course of action. The nurse must weigh loyalty to military orders and the imperative to ensure public safety against the ethical principle of respecting an individual’s autonomy and right to make decisions about their own body.

**Ethical Principles in Contention:**
Several ethical principles are in contention here:
1. **Autonomy:** The prisoner’s autonomy is pitted against the military’s mission to obtain information and ensure public safety.
2. **Beneficence:** The military argues that force-feeding is necessary to prevent harm to the prisoner (starvation) and to extract information that could potentially save lives.
3. **Non-maleficence:** The nurse must consider the potential harm caused by force-feeding, both physically and psychologically.
4. **Justice:** Balancing the rights of the prisoner with the duty to protect society is central to the dilemma.

**Virtues at Risk:**
The virtues at risk in this scenario include:
1. **Compassion:** The nurse may struggle with a conflict between showing compassion towards the prisoner’s suffering and adhering to military orders.
2. **Integrity:** The nurse’s personal moral values and professional integrity may be compromised by participating in an action that goes against their beliefs.

**Justification for Overriding Autonomy:**
Overriding an individual’s autonomy, even in extreme situations, is a contentious ethical issue. In this case, the military justifies it by arguing that the hunger strike poses an immediate threat to the prisoner’s life, and force-feeding is necessary to prevent a preventable death. Additionally, there may be concerns about extracting vital information that could prevent potential terrorist activities, saving innocent lives.

**Lessons Learned:**
From this nurse’s dilemma, several lessons can be derived:
1. **The Complexity of Ethical Decision-Making:** Situations involving competing ethical principles and moral values require careful consideration and critical thinking.
2. **Ethical Training and Preparedness:** Healthcare professionals, including military RNs, should receive training on ethical dilemmas they may encounter in their roles and how to navigate them.
3. **Support and Resources:** Nurses facing such dilemmas need access to resources, such as ethics committees or mentors, to help them make ethically sound decisions.
4. **Advocacy for Ethical Practices:** Nurses should advocate for ethical practices within their organizations and voice concerns when faced with ethically challenging situations.

In conclusion, this scenario presents a complex ethical dilemma for the military RN. While the military’s justification is based on preventing harm and protecting public safety, the nurse must grapple with the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Lessons can be learned from this situation, emphasizing the importance of ethical training, support, and advocacy within the nursing profession.