Nursing Ethical Dilemmas

A nurse attending stated “during the morning’s second surgery, he actually dozed off. The nurse took him aside and recommended that he take a break, but he refused and returned to the operation.” The nurse here was in fault in more ways than one. This nurse should never allowed the doctor return back to operate on the patient, he should have been removed from the operating room immediately. The nurse should have

The charge nurse met the writer in her room and stated, "I am so glad to see you but, you have a "fresh heart" tonight.  The assignment was clearly outlined during bedside report.  But this writer quickly pointed out that she had not been heart trained and could not accept the "fresh heart".  The charge nurse validated the assignment by informing this writer that staffing was really short and she felt this writer was the most qualified nurse for the job.  The charge nurse also added, she would be available for any issues, should they arise. Logically, as the charge nurse had explained the scenario, the assignment was delegated correctly according to the available staff.  But for this writer, it was  morally wrong for her to accept the "fresh heart" knowing she was not following the outlined protocol.  Also, by caring for the "fresh heart" a question was raised if it was the safest thing for this writer to accept.  The ANA Code of Ethics Provision 4.3 states nurses are responsible for assessing their own competency within practice (P475 ethics).   Since this writer had previously validated her competency and training with the devices and medication being utilized in caring for the "fresh heart", she did not violate The Code of Ethics.   Additionally, Provision 4.3 states nurses are to accept or reject assignments based on the nurses knowledge and competence, as well as their assessment of the level of risk for patient safety (Para 1 p475).    The ethical principal of nonmaleficence could have been an issue had there had been any harm committed to the patient  by this writer. This writer knew she could have rightfully rejected the assignment due to safety concerns, but did not.   Legally, this writer did nothing wrong in caring and monitoring for the "fresh heart"

At the clinical site, being a student nurse, I witnessed issues such as a lack of respect for a patient, including inappropriate ways of speaking and behaving to the patient by nurses, and inadequate explanations by nurses to the patient. The nurse in charge displayed an uncaring attitude toward an independent, but cognitively impaired wandering patient with the use of inappropriate speech to this elderly patient. There was no respect and dignity for the patient in the nurse in charge behavior and words.

The two provisions from the Nursing Code of Ethics that were violated are Provision 2 and 3. Provision 2 states “the nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, community, or population” (Brown, Lachman & Swanson, 2015). Provision 2 focuses on “the nurse’s obligation to assure the primacy of the patient’s interests regardless of conflicts that arise between clinicians or patient and family”(Brown, Lachman & Swanson, 2015). Provision 2 was violated because the nurses

Nurses rely on personal knowledge and their professional skills to provide ethical care (Creasia & Friberg, 2011). In everyday practice, nurses must balance the needs of their patients against those of the organization, society and themselves. They strive to deliver the highest level of care for patients, but adjusting for limited organizational and personal resources often requires difficult decisions. This paper explores the following scenario suggested by Maville and Huerta: “You are a nurse providing home care to a mother, and you suspect child abuse after observing the mother’s reaction to her child” (as cited by Arizona State University, 2014). When faced with a moral dilemma, a competent nurse incorporates ethical, bioethical and legal considerations. In the proposed story, incorporating the nursing ethics of advocacy, beneficence, nonmaleficence and collaboration will guide the nurse towards an appropriate and legal course of action.

While the seriousness of a patient’s death should be investigated, the hospital failed to act promptly and investigate the supervisor’s or human resource (HR) department’s denial of reasonable accommodations or the previous errors made by the nurse. Therefore, the wrongful termination seems more likely to have been the case in this situation. The defense will show that rather than terminating her employment earlier the hospital waited until something catastrophic happened. The nurse took appropriate action discussing her health condition diagnosed by her physician that precludes her from working in the ER at full capacity with her supervisor. The nurse should have been given alternative assignments as appropriate or disability leave if no other alternative was available and should not have been terminated wrongfully after the incident (Pozgar,

If the defendant would have adhered to the numerous safeguards for nurses, it could have prevented the alleged wrongdoing. According to the American Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics for Nurses, nurses must advocate for proper assistance for coworkers when indicated. This supports nurses in early recovery when they return to work (O’Neil, 2015). If the coworkers of the defendant would have recognized her issue and spoken up prior to December 9th. 2015, than this hearing could have been prevented. It is the nurse’s ethical responsibility to safeguard the patient, the public, and the profession from prospective harm when a nurse appears to be impaired. This can be

There may be other details in this case that are not mentioned in the article that would go into the decision-making of the hospital whether or not to fire Carla. As the reader, we do not know if there were other negative situations that Carla was put in before this incident. We do not know if Carla was a bad influence to the hospital or if she had been written up several times before this incident. If Carla had been a troublemaker to the hospital before, it could lead the hospital to fire her that much more. If Carla had good reviews, this

The civil and common laws to protect the client´s rights are calls Torts: A Tort is a civil wrong made against a person or property and this are classified as Intentional Torts when violate another´s right such as false imprisonment and assault battery; Quasi-Intentional torts that is when lacking but volitional action and direct causation occur such as invasion of privacy and deformation of character Unintentional torts with includes Negligence and Malpractice. The improper act that she performed is a Quasi-Intentional tort. In to avoid legal and ethic problems the nurse must always follow the Standard of

The NMC (2015) Code of Professional Conduct states that the nurse should "...act at all times in such to safeguard and promote the interests of individual patients and clients". The action of AMU nurse did not comply with this clause while caring for Ms Lisa. It was the ignorance and placed Ms Lisa in a position that was about to cost her Life. Therefore this attitude can not be acceptable.

Philly should have knocked on the door, before entering into patient`s room. She should have then greeted and introduced herself and the student nurse to Rudd. She should have then started the conversation by addressing him by his name. She should have also enquired about his pain. Philly should have finished her shift assessment and should have assured him that she will come back with the morning medications and then left the room. The behavior was very unprofessional.

On august 13, 2016 I was assigned to follow one of the ICU Nurse. It was a very calm day. She had two patient one was more critical than the other. Both patients were on the ventilator because they had to be intubated the night before. The lady is obese and had gastric bypass surgery two years ago and suffering from severe sleep apnea, but the patient is non-compliance to the CPAP treatment. That was her second time being intubated. She was admitted for seizure monitoring because she was constantly having seizures the day before while she was at home. Due to the fact that she did not want to wear her CPAP machine while in the hospital, after pain medication was administered she was found unresponsive, that was the reason for her intubation the night before. Patient was on intermittent suctioning, she has sinus tachycardia . I had the opportunity to observe some of her daily care. The patient was on fentanyl but when the Dr. try to wean her out of the ventilator she stop breathing, therefore, the DR. discontinue the fentanyl temporarily in other to retest her later.

Describe the ethical dilemma that the nurse is facing? Please be specific. What makes it an ethical dilemma?

Ethical principals are the seed of which nursing flourishes from. Many ethical principals were involved and dishonored in this case such as, justice, autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, confidentiality and fidelity (Burkhardt et al., 2014). I believe justice was the main principal involved as the entire ethical predicament was revolved around unjust behavior and treatment of the residents. The residents were treated poorly and given unequal rights as a causation of their illnesses. Autonomy, an essential piece of human rights was also being violated in this ethical dilemma. The residents did not have any choice or independence in their care or how they were being treated. Beneficence and non-maleficence are significant dynamics of this ethical situation, as the health care providers needed to reflect on how they can have the maximum benefit while diminishing possible damage to the residents (Burkhardt et al., 2014). Our actions as nurses should always be beneficent and non maleficent, continuously being kind, compassionate and doing what is in their best interest as well a removing and preventing harm. Confidentiality is a key component of nursing and it was blatantly being violated as the health care

The ethical dilemma is a situation by which it’s difficult to determine whether a situation is can be handled without disappointing both sides. Therefore, an ethical dilemma exists when the right thing to do is clear or when members of the healthcare team cannot agree on the right thing to do. Ethical dilemmas require negotiation of different points of view (potter, Perry, Stockert, & Hall 2011pg 78).