A registered nurse witnesses another nurse violating a patient's autonomy. Even though she did not participate in the action, the nurse who witnessed the act experiences powerlessness, frustration, and anger. This reaction describes which of the following?

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Moral outrage is the emotional response of feeling angry or frustrated when a healthcare professional violates ethical principles or standards of care. Although the nurse did not participate in the violation, she witnessed it and experiences powerlessness, frustration, and anger. Moral distress refers to the emotional response of feeling burdened or constrained when a nurse is aware that the right action to take is not possible. Moral uncertainty refers to the feeling of being unsure about what is morally right or wrong in a certain situation. Moral dilemma refers to the situation when a nurse is faced with difficult choices between two or more ethical principles or values.

A Registered Nurse Witnesses Another Nurse Violating a Patient's Autonomy