Case Report A 22-year Caucasian female Jehovah’s Witness, 28 week pregnant came to the emergency room in Australia, with a history of fever for 1 week, fatigue, extensive bruising, nose and gum bleeding. The patient was pregnant with her third child, and had 2 other children aged 2 and 4 years at home. The patient worked in the bank and was the primary breadwinner of the family as her husband was disabled after a motor vehicle accident and could not work. Laboratory tests revealed a white blood cell count of 76.2 × 103/mm3 (very high), hemoglobin 3.6 g/dl (very low) and platelets 6 × 103/µl (very low). A bone marrow biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of leukemia. The patient was accepting of all treatment options except for blood …show more content…
The patient and her family including the husband remained adamant that she would not accept blood products or a cesarean section even though it was the best option for the survival of both the fetus and herself. She stated that she would rather die than accept blood products. Her family contacted religious leaders who also came to the hospital to support the patient and her family’s decision of refusing blood products. The physicians and hospital administrative personnel in a desperate attempt, tried to get a court order to administer blood transfusions in order to save the fetus, but the Australian law provides the pregnant woman autonomy to make decisions for herself and her unborn fetus, and thus the hospital was unsuccessful. The patient was admitted to the hospital and the hemoglobin and blood counts were monitored daily and alternative therapies like intravenous Epoetin alpha and Iron was initiated. Regrettably these therapies take time to work, and much to the distress of physicians and other healthcare providers they watched helplessly as the blood counts continued to fall. Within one week the hemoglobin was 2.4 g/dl and the patient went into cardiac arrest and died along with the unborn fetus.
Why does a Jehovah’s Witness refuse to accept blood transfusions? Jehovah’s Witness as a religion originated near Pittsburg, PA in the 1872 and was founded by Charles T. Russell and is based on a literal millennialist interpretation of the Bible. The Watch
On Friday, November 20, 2015, Investigator Clyde Wheat and I met with Nursing Manger John Wagoner and Lead Charger Nurse Rachel Tarpley on Division 8900, in regards to medication missing from the narcotic lockbox, located inside the 8900 Oncology Pyxis West Room. Wagoner stated the medication was stored in the lockbox Monday, September 21, 2015, at approximately 2345 hours. The medication belonged to Patient Ieremia Fualau. The medication contained approximately sixteen (16) Oxycodone and (17) OxyContin.
For backfill purposes, Urgent Care Department will need the following Ancillary FTE's to support 2017 anticipated membership growth and improve department budget status: 2.1 LVN's. Per November's YTD Budget Report department is overbudget by $2,431.443. Part of overbudget costs included replacing LVN's that were on medical leave, vacation,
Scenario: John is a 4 year-old boy who was admitted for chemotherapy following diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). He had a white blood cell count of 250,000. Clinical presentation included loss of appetite, easily bruised, gum bleeding, and fatigue. Physical examination revealed marked splenomegaly, pale skin color, temperature of 102°F, and upper abdomen tenderness along with nonspecific arthralgia.
Worker went to the home of Lamyia Walters. When the worker arrived there is no black truck only the gold BMW at the residence. The worker knocked three times. While waiting for an answer at the door the work could hear persons speaking. Lamyia answered the door. Worker was invited inside. Worker followed Lamyia into the kitchen were the floor was wet and dirty dishes were all over the counter tops and the microwave was missing. Lamyia informed the worker that the microwave caught fire. Lamyia scrapped her left over food into the dog bowls. Lamyia has no money for dog food and is giving the dogs her left overs. Lamyia stated that she is slowly cleaning up the house. Worker and Lamyia sat down and spoke in the living room. The home has no
On 15 October 2017, at 1757 hours, Deputy Tabor and Deputy Williams were dispatched to 135 South Penalosa Street in Penalosa, Kansas, Kingman County, in response to a disturbance. As Deputy Tabor was en route, he was advised by dispatch over the radio that there were young kids who had threatened to "off" the reporting party.
Gadsden is located in the northeastern corner of Alabama and is the county seat of Etowah County. It is 60 miles
According to dictionary.com (n.d.), Jehovah witnesses are a part of a Christian Sect. Henslin (2012) states that a sect is like a cult, but larger than the cult. Dictionary.com (n.d) states that Jehovah Witnesses were founded in the late nineteenth century,
low platelet count and low white blood cell count. In reference to Mr. J.’s symptoms and CBC results additional diagnostic labs were ordered.
When she was just a few weeks old she already showed many physical problems and receive many medical treatments. Which her parents, the appellants allowed. The physicians did not use any blood transfusions at the parent's request. As Jehovah’s Witnesses, the parents objected to it for religious reasons. They also claimed it was unnecessary. When the child, S.B. was one-month old her haemoglobin levels had dropped dramatically and the doctors believe a blood transfusion may be necessary to treat her potential life-threatening heart failure. Following a hearing on short notice to the parents the Family Division in the Provincial Court gave the Children’s Aid Society a 72-hour wardship. Two doctors testified saying that even though the child condition had improved, they still wanted to maintain the ability to do the blood transfusion in case
“Persecution is not an original feature in any religion; but it is always the strongly marked feature of all religions established by law,” Thomas Paine (Like Success). Under the first amendment, people are ensured the freedom of establishing a religion and allows the religious group to have the free exercise thereof, but millions of individuals are still persecuted because of their religious preferences (Bill of Rights Institute). The many who wish to serve and worship their God peacefully are often the main subjects of ridicule. More often than not these are Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The purpose of this paper is to identify the characteristics, values and beliefs of Jehovah’s Witness group. It will discuss their reasoning for refusal to accept blood transfusions. The paper will elaborate on the best approach to offer appropriate care, advice and education while treating patients with respect in regards to their religious beliefs. British Journal of Nursing (2009) suggests that good, honest communication, without any element of coercion or scare tactics, is the key in the management of Jehovah’s Witness patients.
If the patient happens to have any of the symptoms of leukemia, any type, it is recommended to consult a doctor immediately to have a blood test taken.
Jehovah’s Witness emerged from the Bible Student movement, founded in the late 1870s by Charles Taze Russell. In 1916 Charles Russell died an alcoholic on a train with none of his many
Last week Thursday on the orthopedic clinic was a slow but eye opening experience. When I got to the clinic at 8AM, after I was introduced to some of the nurses there, I was immediately assigned to a Medical Assistant (MA) that I had shadow for half of the day. The MA shows me around the clinical and explained her role and responsibility in the clinic setting. During the first several hours, and MA and I were quite busy rooming the patient. Because the MA want me to see how to do thoroughly assessment on a new patient, the MA did a thoroughly assessment and examinations on the first patient we saw. During the assessment, the MA also explained some of the medical procedures to the patient. She did a set of vitals on the patient, particular on new patient, such as blood pressure, height, and weight. We had a total of 15 patients during the morning.
I have had patients with cultural belief of refusing blood products. When getting report I was told the nurse tried to convince them to receive the blood transfusion. They refused even when told they could die without it.