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Ethics Surrounding Pain And Symptom Management

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Ethics Surrounding Pain and Symptom Management
According to the Cambridge Dictionaries Online, ethics is a system of accepted beliefs that control behavior, especially such a system based on morals ("Cambridge," n.d.). Ethics in health care is aimed at providing guidelines and codes for health care providers for their duty, responsibility, and conduct (Mohanti, 2009). Major ethical issues arise at the end-of-life, this can include aspects in pharmacology, barriers to effective pain management, drug diversion, and the role of the nurse in pain and symptom management. With the many issues surrounding end-of-life, there are also available resources out there to help.
Most often when someone approaches the end-of-life, pain management is a priority. The relief of pain is an important ethical duty in health care. However, relieving pain is easier said than done. The myths about opioid addiction and sedation are some of the complicated hurdles for family member to get over. It is the duty of the health care professionals to educate family that pain relief is necessary for the peaceful passing of their loved one. Providers must dismiss any myths and false facts family may have and reassure them that prescribing sedative and narcotics is ethical. As health care professionals we want what is best for our patients and we do not want to do any harm to those who are at the end of their lives. In my opinion, making the patient comfortable and letting them go in peace is the right

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