Ethical considerations in drug administration for critically ill patients.

The ethical dilemmas critical care nurses face in daily practice are increasing as treatments are weighed against the benefit in individual patients. Managing critically ill patients holistically creates ethical challenges on a daily basis. Determining how to assist patients and significant others in making sound ethical decisions is critical to optimal outcomes. Case studies are presented to illustrate further how cost effectiveness will continue to have a major role in determining patient care in the 21st century.