Ethics, Case Scenario
Case 2 – The Drinking Problem
Mr. Collins has dysphasia and enjoys a beer with his son each day in his private room on ward B. Roma (RN assigned to care for Mr. Collins) reads a note in the case notes, that Doctor Rich and the speech therapist have ordered thickened fluids for Mr. Collins. That note was written 5 days ago. The current nursing care plan also states ‘thickened fluids’. Mr. Collins tells Roma that he has discussed the matter with the doctor and the speech therapist and is aware of the risks. He says that his son will be making his usual visit at midday today and they intend to have a beer together.
The argument that this piece of writing will present is whether or not Mr. Collins autonomy is intact and should continue to have a beer with his son daily or directions as per the care should be adhered to, which was to be put on strictly thickened fluids only. I will be defending the fact that Mr. Collins should be allowed to continue having a beer with his son strongly. I will also draw on objections to my argument discussing the moral decisions of Roma the RN. As Mr Collins states that he is aware of the risks I will be using this as my rebuttal in the argument. I will look at ethical principals related to both sides of the argument and discuss the same.
SUPPORTING ARGUMENT
Firstly, Mr Collins has been ordered thickened fluids due to his dysphasia, by the Doctor as well as the speech therapist. Mr Collins claims that he has discussed this order with them and will continue to have a beer with his son despite the care plan saying that thickened fluids have been ordered. I believe that Roma should allow Mr Collins to continue having a beer with his son.
Ethics is a broad term used for referring to a variety of ways of understanding and investigating the ‘moral life’ (Crisp and Taylor 2009 p332). More exclusively, ethics involves a gravely reflective activity, fundamentally concerned with a methodical focus of living morally, and is intended to
Mr. Collins has dysphasia and enjoys a beer with his son each day in his private room on ward B. Roma (RN assigned to care for Mr. Collins) reads a note in the case notes, that Doctor Rich and the speech therapist have ordered thickened fluids for Mr. Collins. That note was written 5 days ago. The current nursing care plan also states ‘thickened fluids’. Mr. Collins tells Roma that he has discussed the matter with the doctor and the speech therapist and is aware of the risks. He says that his son will be making his usual visit at midday today and they intend to have a beer together.
The argument that this piece of writing will present is whether or not Mr. Collins autonomy is intact and should continue to have a beer with his son daily or directions as per the care should be adhered to, which was to be put on strictly thickened fluids only. I will be defending the fact that Mr. Collins should be allowed to continue having a beer with his son strongly. I will also draw on objections to my argument discussing the moral decisions of Roma the RN. As Mr Collins states that he is aware of the risks I will be using this as my rebuttal in the argument. I will look at ethical principals related to both sides of the argument and discuss the same.
SUPPORTING ARGUMENT
Firstly, Mr Collins has been ordered thickened fluids due to his dysphasia, by the Doctor as well as the speech therapist. Mr Collins claims that he has discussed this order with them and will continue to have a beer with his son despite the care plan saying that thickened fluids have been ordered. I believe that Roma should allow Mr Collins to continue having a beer with his son.
Ethics is a broad term used for referring to a variety of ways of understanding and investigating the ‘moral life’ (Crisp and Taylor 2009 p332). More exclusively, ethics involves a gravely reflective activity, fundamentally concerned with a methodical focus of living morally, and is intended to
References: Austin, W. (2007). "The Ethics of Everyday Practice : Healthcare Environments as Moral Communities." Advances in Nursing Science 30(1): 81-88. Burkhardt, M. and A. Nathaniel, Eds. (2008). Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing. Clifton Park, NY, Delmar Learning. Crisp, J. and C. Taylor, Eds. (2009). Potter & Perry 's fundamentals of nursing. Chatswood, NSW, Luisa Cecotti. Kerridge, I., M. Lowe, et al., Eds. (2009). Ethics and Law for the Health Professional. Riverwood, NSW, The Federation Press. Thompson, I., K. Melia, et al., Eds. (2006). Nursing Ethics. Philadelphia, USA, Elsevier Limited. ANMC 2008, Code of Professional Ethics for Nurses in Australia, ANMC, Canberra Available at: http://www.anmc.org.au/professional_standards/index.php.