Examples Of Code Of Ethics In Nursing

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

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.

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