Which of the following best describes moral distress in the workplace?

• A. Experiencing psychological discomfort when one knows the ethically appropriate action to take but is unable to act due to external constraints
• B. Experiencing distress due to a lack of job-related skills
• C. Being unaware of ethical dilemmas present in the workplace
• D. Feeling satisfied after making a difficult ethical decision at work

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of moral distress. Moral distress occurs when an individual recognizes the ethically correct action to take but feels powerless to act due to external barriers or constraints.
2. Step 2: Identify key elements in the options provided. Look for phrases indicating psychological discomfort, ethical awareness, and inability to act.
3. Step 3: Compare each option against the definition of moral distress. For example, distress from lack of skills or unawareness of ethical dilemmas does not align with moral distress.
4. Step 4: Recognize that feeling satisfied after making a difficult ethical decision is the opposite of distress, so it does not describe moral distress.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best description is the one involving psychological discomfort when knowing the right ethical action but being unable to act due to external constraints.