On Thursday June 23, 2016 I was rotating through fast track when I came across an incident that involved a 27-year-old African American female patient. This young woman arrived at the emergency department suffering severe lower back pain, which was exacerbated while walking. She stated that she bent over to grab something out of the floorboard of her vehicle, and upon standing back up she felt an aching pain throughout her lower back. I walked in the room to find out more information on why she was at the ED. The patient proceeded to explain the story that I listed above. I asked her if she had pain anywhere else, and she said “No, but my back is hurting really bad, can you get me pain meds already”? I asked her to rate her pain and she stated …show more content…
The first provision states that the nurse practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person (ANA, 2015). This is based on the respect for human dignity, which I don’t believe was incorporated with this patient. This patient was in pain, and needed medication. She depended on the health care providers to show compassion and care for her as they would any other patient. A nurse should consider the needs of every patient and help advocate for them, instead of just ignoring their wishes. Provision two states that the nurses primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, community, or population (ANA, 2015). It involves the primacy of the patient’s interest and states that the primary commitment is to the patients. Each plan of care must reflect the fundamental commitment of nursing to the dignity of the patient (ANA, 2015). I also don’t think this was implemented because when the patient came seeking medication to ease her pain, the nurse did not stand up for her. They placed a label on her saying that she was a “drug-seeker”, which is not showing dignity towards the patient. The third provision states that the nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of the patient (ANA, 2015). The nurse did not advocate for this patient by any means. …show more content…
I feel as if the patient’s are our number one priority. They come to us for help, and we should be there for them and advocate their wishes. The code of ethics was put in place partially for this reason, to make sure our patient’s have top of the line care. When a patient comes in and states they are in pain, they should be treated as if they are in pain. If a patient declines a medication due to the route and location, then the nurse and physician should work together to form another option. A patient should never be sent away without being treated first. One recommendation I would make is to form an algorithm for pain treatments, just as they do for cardiac arrest. That way when a patient comes in and declines the first option, there is a protocol in place that includes other options. I would also recommend transferring the patient to another unit to be treated if fast track does not have the resources. The patient should also be informed of the treatment right away before making them sit and wait for
Paramedics deemed the patient competent and therefore Ms. Walker had the right to refuse treatment, which held paramedics legally and ethically bound to her decisions. Although negligent actions were identified which may have resulted in a substandard patient treatment, paramedics acted with intent to better the patient despite unforeseen future factors. There is no set structure paramedics can follow in an ethical and legal standpoint thus paramedics must tailor them to every given
The provision states, “Respect for human dignity requires the recognition of specific patient rights, particularly, the right of self -determination. Self -determination, also known as autonomy, is the philosophical basis for informed consent in health care. Patients have the moral and legal right to determine what will be done with their own person; to be given accurate, complete, and understandable information in a manner that facilitates an informed judgement; to be assisted with weighing the benefits, burdens, and available options in their treatment, including the choice of no treatment; to accept, refuse, or terminate treatment without deceit, undue influence, duress, coercion, or penalty; and to be given necessary support throughout the decision-making and treatment process (nursingworld.org)”. Ms. Rogers cannot even get to this point because of the resident refusal to treat her. There could many things going on with her. She could have pancreatitis, gallbladder issues or many other diagnosis related to her abdominal pain. She won’t know until a physician does a full workup on her. She obviously wants to be seen or else she wouldn’t have come to the ER. She knows something is not right is she is staggering in the hospital. She has rights as a patient to be seen by a physician. I think is the resident doesn’t want to evaluate her then the ER nurse needs report that person and go find another physician to do the job. I would also talk to the house supervisor about the situation so it could be reported to administration. Doctors go into medicine to help all people, not to pick and choose who they want to
Under the code of ethics for nurses this moral issue is also conflicting because you’re first and foremost obligation is to the patient. Now you also have your institution ethical code conduct that you also has to abide by. Provision 5. The nurse owes the same duties to self as to others, including the responsibility to preserve integrity and safety, to maintain competence, and to continue personal and professional growth (ANA, 2001, p.18). In this case the nurse owes it to herself in making the right moral decision to preserve integrity and safety of patient and
Professional Code of Conduct for Nurses Chantel Findley Nova Southeastern University Professional Code of Conduct The classical term for the word ethics is, moral philosophies that rule an individual’s or group behavior or action. The American Nurses Association used ethics to write the Code of Ethics for Nurses with these values and visions in mind: “(1) As a statement of the ethical obligations and duties of every person who chooses to enter the profession of nursing. (2) To act as the nonnegotiable standard of ethics.
Each provision of this code involves setting standards for which a nurse should follow. They also set a basis for what is appropriate concerning how a nurse should act and care for a patient. I do not believe that this code should be optional to follow. This is because being a nurse comes with responsibilities and duties that one should be expected to uphold, regardless of whether of not they want to follow it. When we choose to become a nurse, we are devoting our work to caring for other human beings. This means we need to be ethical when making decisions, as well as professional. I do not feel that it is something that should be taken lightly, and this code of ethics includes important things that nurses should naturally be expected to
There are many different thoughts and beliefs surrounding ethics. Ethic codes of conduct are in place. Ethics has always existed but has been more closely looked at over the last 40 years. There is discussion about futile care to patients in intensive care settings and do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders for surgical patients. Guidelines and regulations need to be followed and set forth.
Before Nightingale, nurses were lower class citizens that were alcoholics or prostitutes with no to a little education. Florence Nightingale realized that nurses ought to have some education in caring for others and be of a higher class. In 1860, she opened the first nursing school in London that did not accept prostitutes and alcoholics. To signify Nightingale’s view of nursing, Lystra Gretter composed a Hippocratic Oath for nurses called the Nightingale pledge.
Several ethical principles that are incorporated in the nursing care of patients on a daily basis are nonmalificence, autonomy, beneficence, justice, fidelity and paternalism. Nurses should strive to comply to as many of the principles as possible. In this case there are principles which support and conflict with the wishes of the patient. The first principle that supports the wish of the patient is autonomy. Autonomy means that competent patients have the right to make decisions for themselves and the delivery of the healthcare that they receive. Another factor that would support the patient’s wish to not be resuscitated is nonmalificence. Non maleficence means that nurses should not cause harm or injury to their patients. In this case the likelihood of injury after resuscitation was greater than if the patient were allowed to expire. A principle that could have negatively affected the outcome of the provision of ethical care was paternalism. Paternalism is when a healthcare provider feels that they know what is best for a patient, regardless of the patient’s desire for their own care. I demonstrated the principle of paternalism because I thought that I knew what was best for the patient without first consulting with the patient or family. This situation might have had some very negative consequences had the patient not have been competent. Practicing a paternalistic mindset might have caused a practitioner in the same instance to force their ideas about not resuscitating the loved one onto the family. This could have caused a sense of remorse and loss of control of care amongst the
Nurses everywhere face problems and challenges in practice. Most of the challenges occur due to a struggle with the use of ethical principles in patient care. Ethical principles are “basic and obvious moral truths that guide deliberation and action,” (Burkhardt, Nathaniel, 2014). Ethical principles that are used in nursing practice include autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, veracity, confidentiality, justice, and fidelity. These challenges not only affect them, but the quality of care they provide as well. According to the article, some of the most frequently occurring and most stressful ethical issues were protecting patient rights, autonomy and informed consent to treatment, staffing problems, advanced care planning, and surrogate decision making (Ulrich et. al, 2013). The ethical issue of inadequate staffing conflicts with the principle of non-maleficence.
In critical and complicating medical cases, family members often find it tedious to decide as to what mode or procedure of treatment is idyllic for the recovery of their patient. In such cases, well-qualified and medically educated can play a pivotal role in deciding the kind of treatment that should be given to the patient to enhance its recovery. In a contrary situation a nurse may know that administering a particular drug may improve the patient’s condition, but may be refrained from conducting the required action due to doctor’s absence or non-permission. There are numerous cases through which ethical dilemmas in the profession of nursing can be discussed. Nurses in order to remain within the defined boundaries ...
Another huge ethical topic is the patient’s right to choose autonomy in the refusal of life-saving medicine or treatment. This issue affects a nurse’s standards of care and code of ethics. “The nurse owes the patient a duty of care and must act in accordance with this duty at all times, by respecting and supporting the patient’s right to accept or decline treatment” (Volinsky). In order for a patient to be able make these types of decisions they must first be deemed competent. While the choice of patient’s to refuse life-saving treatment may go against nursing ethical codes and beliefs to attempt and coerce them to get treatment is trespass and would conclude in legal action. “….then refusal of these interventions may be regarded as inappropriate, but in the case of a patient with capacity, the patient must have the ultimate authority to decide” (Volinsky). While my values of the worth of life and importance of action may be different than others, as a nurse I have to learn to set that aside and follow all codes of ethics whether I have a dilemma with them or not. Sometimes with ethics there is no right or wrong, but as a nurse we have to figure out where to draw the line in some cases.
The nursing code of ethics has a very standard definition. It is the base on how nurses should guide themselves in conduct by making the right decision regarding ethical issues. According to the National Student Nurses Association “students of nursing have a responsibility to society in learning the academic theory and clinical skills needed to provide nursing care” (2003). In the clinical setting nurses have a lot of responsibilities while caring for an ill patient, they have the obligation to practice their profession with compassion, love, and respect the uniqueness of each patient, as nurses we are not supposed to deny care to a patient because of their economic status, their skin color, race, or the nature of health problems, we are here to help the people in need in particular those of susceptible populations. The NSNA states that the code of conduct is based on an understanding that to practice nursing as a student is an agreement that trust and honesty is depended on us by society. The announcement of the code provided direction for the nursing student in the personal development of an ethical foundation and not limited to the academic or clinical environment but can assist in the holistic development of a person. (National Student Nurses Association, 2003)
This provision is strongly connected with nursing as a human science because one has to treat every patient in a unique matter with respect, compassion and empathy to their particular situation they are experiencing. The third provision interrelates with the fundamental nursing responsibilities of optimizing the health by advocating for the patient and protecting the patient. In sixth provision, it explains how nursing is group work that is constantly being evaluated, and improving to provide a safe but quality environment for everyone. (Morrisard, n.d.) Each of code of ethics are essential in providing care for the patient as well as protecting the patient’s safety, rights, and
Integrity, respect for persons, justice, non-maleficence, and responsibility are all identified within the code, however compassion is not directly stated but is implied. To show compassion for others during suffering is an almost automatic response in nursing. When nurses decide to act either beneficently or non-maleficently they are doing a service to those being cared for. When dealing with human lives moral value becomes especially important, and is not situationally dependent. Ethical neutrality does not have a place in professional ethics, and an obligation to respect the moral values is necessary. The code deals with specific issues related to the nursing profession, and ensures standards are upheld. Creation of code of ethics within a profession limits misconduct, create safeguards, promote trust for the profession within society, and preserves the integrity of the profession (Soskolne, 1984) It is important for me to emphasize the difference between the nurse’s code of ethics and the Hippocratic Oath. The nurses ethical code is tailored toward the care provided to the patient, and not the involved science and diagnostic aspect of the
The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses has five elements that pertain to the Principle of Autonomy. Each individual element applies to “respect individual persons” (Baillie, McGeehan, Garrett T, M., Garrett R. M., 2013, p.33). In Chapter 2 of the Health Care ethics: Principles and problems text, it discusses thouroghly the consent of an individual to make their own decisions regarding their health and future requests of care. As a nurse or within all heath care professions, we must treat each individual patient with care, respect, and to remain mindful to the patient regarding any aspect of their lives. In the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses, it explains ways of maintaining the empathy required in the health field. It further discusses that the respect for human dignity must be a priority, relationships to patients must remain neutral, the severity of the situation, the right to self-rule, and the professionalism that must be upheld by the nurse and their associates.