The Discipline of Professional Nursing Introduction The Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses is a document that details how a nurse in Manitoba is expected to act regarding ethical matters (College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba, [CRNM] 2006). Ethical principles are laid out with the assumption that nurses value and respect the individuality of people (Burkhardt, Nathaniel, and Walton, 2014). This paper will examine a case study and discuss the ethical principles, values and laws that pertain to the case. The stance that the nurse should take in this case study will also be discussed. Case Study Mr. Doe, an 82 year old man with Alzheimer’s disease has been a resident in a chronic care facility for 5 years. He has recently developed resistance to care; he is spitting out his medications and has become increasingly aggressive. He also appears to be experiencing paranoid delusions. The doctor has instructed the primary nurse to give Mr. Doe his medication any way possible. The nurse’s co-worker has suggested that the nurse crush the pills and hide it in Mr. Doe’s ice cream. Ethical Principals The ethical principles that apply to this case include respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, veracity, and fidelity. Ethical principles are set to guide nurse’s actions in an ethical situation, therefore it is essential that nurses understand them so they are able to apply them appropriately (Burkhardt et al., 2014). Autonomy means that an individual has the right to make choices about their life (Burkhardt et al., 2014). Any individual of legal age with full mental capacity has the right to refuse treatment. The individual’s choice must be respected even if it is not what the healthcare provider has recommende... ... middle of paper ... ...(2008). Code of ethics for registered nurses. Retrieved from https://www.cna-aiic.ca/~/media/cna/files/en/codeofethics.pdf College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba. (2006). Covert medication administration. Retrieved from http://cms.tng-secure.com/file_download.php?fFile_id=147 Latha, K. S. (2010). The noncompliant patient in psychiatry: The case for and against covert/surreptitious medication. Mens Sana Monographs, 8(1), 96-121. Retrieved from https://login.athena.rrc.mb.ca:2047/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=47654154&site=ehost-live Tweddle, F. (2009). Covert medication in older adults who lack decision-making capacity. British Journal of Nursing, 18(15), 936-939. Retrieved from https://login.athena.rrc.mb.ca:2047/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=43777586&site=ehost-live
Forcing someone to take medication or be hospitalized against their will seems contrary to an individual’s right to refuse medical treatment, however, the issue becomes complicated when it involves individuals suffering from a mental illness. What should be done when a person has lost their grasp on reality, or if they are at a risk of harming themselves or others? Would that justify denying individuals the right to refuse treatment and issuing involuntary treatment? Numerous books and articles have been written which debates this issue and presents the recommendations of assorted experts.
In today’s society, a lot of emphasis is placed on administering drugs and medicating people with psychological issues; however, most of these ailments and issues have the ability be treated through the use of talk therapy rather than medication. Americans are particularly guilty of over medicating when it comes to our more common mental health diagnosis such as, ADHD, depression, and anxiety. We as a society expect things to be done at the snap of a finger; in our advancement of science, we have been able to discover ways of offering the results we want quickly, inexpensively, and with little effort. Unfortunately, although the use of medications, also known as psychoactive drugs, occasionally remove the symptoms, but they do little to remove the causes of these mental health issues. In addition, to the lack of solution that the use of psychoactive drugs offer, they can also have unwanted and dangerous side effects. These can include simple physical irritants such as dry mouth and head aches, and can range up to dependency and substance abuse, and in some cases even death. Moreover, there are cases of inappropriate prescribing, where doctors are authorizing the use of medications that don’t work or are not pertinent to the issue the patient is experiencing. Furthermore, some of these doctors are issuing these medications without subjecting the patient to a proper mental health evaluation by a psychological professional.
In the code of ethics, the very first ethical principles that nurses are expected to uphold in order to exemplify that they are competent professionals are autonomy, beneficence, and nonmaleficence. That is, nurses as professionals are expected to advocate for their patients while preserving their respect and dignity and
Autonomy is an important ethical principal that should be considered with great attention, especially with the limitation of personal autonomy one finds in hospitals. Burkhardt (2008) and Nathaniel define autonomy as self-governing and describe it as including four elements, the ability to determine personal goals, decide on a plan of action, to be respected, and to have freedom to act on choices. In John’s situation, his vulnerability in contrast to the power that the health care professionals hold over him put all four of these elements into jeopardy. Since his advance directive and his current choices differ, the matter of respec...
The Code of Ethics for Nurses was created to be a guide for nurses to perform their duties in a way that is abiding with the ethical responsibilities of the nursing profession and quality in nursing care. The Code of Ethics has excellent guidelines for how nurses should behave, however; these parameters are not specific. They do not identify what is right and wrong, leaving nurses having to ultimately make that decision. Ethics in nursing involves individual interpretation based on personal morals and values. Nursing professionals have the ethical accountability to be altruistic, meaning a nurse who cares for patients without self-interest. This results in a nurse functioning as a patient advocate, making decisions that are in the best interest of the patient and practicing sound nursing ethics.
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.
Autonomy is a concept found in moral, political, and bioethical reasoning. Inside these connections, it is the limit of a sound individual to make an educated, unpressured decision. Patient autonomy can conflict with clinician autonomy and, in such a clash of values, it is not obvious which should prevail. (Lantos, Matlock & Wendler, 2011). In order to gain informed consent, a patient
Since you examined the number of moral issues you will face in this profession, look through the code of ethics that you chose for this assignment and explain
The word ethics is derived from the Greek word ethos, which means character (1). Being moral always fills a nurse with morals respects, guidelines of good judgment and expert lead. There are three essential obligations for nurses, among many other which are the duty of autonomy, confidentiality, and obligation of care to all patients (2). There are professional duties with becoming distinctly legitimate obligations if any law and policies are ruptured in between professional practice. In 2001, a review found that there was an apparent requirement for more guidance on moral predicaments inside the medical professionals, subsequent to expanding legal cases and open request (3). Medical attendants ought to withstand to regulatory law and statutory law while managing the nursing practice.
Torry, Zachary D., and Kenneth J. Weiss. "Medication Noncompliance and Criminal Responsibility: Is the Insanity Defense Legitimate?" Journal of Psychiatry & Law 40 40.2 (2012): 219-42. Web. 21 Mar. 2014.
Lavoie, K. L., & Fleet, R. P. (2002). Should Psychologists Be Granted Prescription Privileges? A Review of the Prescription Privilege Debate for Psychiatrists. Canadian Journal Of Psychiatry, 47(5), 443.
Psychopharmacology is the scientific study of the effects that drugs have on mood, sensation, thinking, and behavior. Examples of these drugs include antipsychotics, antidepressants, and antianxiety medications. These drugs work by changing the chemistry in the body by altering hormones, neurotransmitters, or interactions between receptors. Modern drugs like antidepressants have been around since the 1960’s when the serotonin hypothesis was formed. Since this time, the ethical debate over psychopharmacology has been growing. Today, the debate focuses primarily on whether it is ethical to prescribe a patients a psychopharmaceutical who does not have a strict diagnosis of a mental disorder. Instead the patient is using the drug as a means of
Autonomy is a principle that allows a patient or authorizing agent to make decisions regarding healthcare decisions without any outside influence (Burkhardt & Nathanial, 2014, p.440) As the nurse, it is important to understand
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)
In conclusion, there are numerous legal and ethical issues apparent in the nursing practice. Nurses should study and be as informed as they can with ethics and legality within their field in order to ensure no mistakes occur. Ethical issues vary based on patient’s views, religion, and environment. Nurses are influenced by these same views, but most of the time they are not the same as the patients. As a nurse we must learn to put the care of our patients and their beliefs, rights, and wishes before our own personal