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

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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 patient 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 patient's behavior and expressed verbally. Interpersonal conflict occurs between two or more people.

When a Physician Writes an Order for the Nurse to Withhold