Which of the following best summarizes ethical distress?

Ethical distress occurs when a professional faces a situation where they know the ethically appropriate action to take, but are constrained from acting accordingly due to various factors such as institutional policies, laws, or personal dilemmas. This often leads to feelings of frustration, guilt, and conflict about one’s professional integrity.

Choosing the option that identifies ethical distress as feeling conflicted about professional integrity captures the essence of this concept, highlighting the internal struggle that professionals experience when they feel unable to uphold their ethical standards. It emphasizes the emotional and psychological impact of navigating complex ethical scenarios, rather than situations that are clear violations or devoid of ethical considerations altogether.