Legal and Ethical Issues Case Studies Essay Example
Legal and Ethical Issues Involving Two Case Studies
Team A Nursing 391
NUR 391
March 19, 2012
Willie Goodwin
Legal and Ethical Issues Involving Two Case Studies
The nursing code of ethics lays out nonnegotiable standards of moral and ethical behavior in providing nursing care to society. “Nursing encompasses the prevention of illness, the alleviation of suffering, and the protection, promotion, and restoration of health in the care of individuals, families, groups and communities” (American Nurses Association, 2010).
The following paper investigates the legal and ethical issues of two case studies. Case study one involves a comatose patient, Marianne, without advanced directives leaving the spouse to make health care decisions and children with differing opinions (Chitty & Black, 2011, p.175). Case study two concerns a nurse called to testify in a malpractice suit against a negligent colleague and health care institution, of which the testifying nurse is employed by. (Blais & Hayes, 2011, p.88)
In both case studies, the nurse’s duty is to the patient, outlined in provision two of American Nurses Association code of ethics. For case study two, provision two, section 2.4 outlines nurses are to maintain professional boundaries while acting as the patient’s advocate. In provision one, section 1.5 the nurse is to treat his or her colleagues with respect and compassion regardless of one’s actions against another. The nurse has an ethical and moral obligation to report acts of unethical, illegal or harm of the patient to the employer as well as the state board of nursing, nurse practice acts committee. The nurse deposed should have reported the nurse in question to the practice committee of the professional organization. This nurse failed to protect any patients the nurse in question cared for.
In case study one, the nurse providing care to Marianne falls under provision two, sections 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3. The nurse must provide continually care to
Team A Nursing 391
NUR 391
March 19, 2012
Willie Goodwin
Legal and Ethical Issues Involving Two Case Studies
The nursing code of ethics lays out nonnegotiable standards of moral and ethical behavior in providing nursing care to society. “Nursing encompasses the prevention of illness, the alleviation of suffering, and the protection, promotion, and restoration of health in the care of individuals, families, groups and communities” (American Nurses Association, 2010).
The following paper investigates the legal and ethical issues of two case studies. Case study one involves a comatose patient, Marianne, without advanced directives leaving the spouse to make health care decisions and children with differing opinions (Chitty & Black, 2011, p.175). Case study two concerns a nurse called to testify in a malpractice suit against a negligent colleague and health care institution, of which the testifying nurse is employed by. (Blais & Hayes, 2011, p.88)
In both case studies, the nurse’s duty is to the patient, outlined in provision two of American Nurses Association code of ethics. For case study two, provision two, section 2.4 outlines nurses are to maintain professional boundaries while acting as the patient’s advocate. In provision one, section 1.5 the nurse is to treat his or her colleagues with respect and compassion regardless of one’s actions against another. The nurse has an ethical and moral obligation to report acts of unethical, illegal or harm of the patient to the employer as well as the state board of nursing, nurse practice acts committee. The nurse deposed should have reported the nurse in question to the practice committee of the professional organization. This nurse failed to protect any patients the nurse in question cared for.
In case study one, the nurse providing care to Marianne falls under provision two, sections 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3. The nurse must provide continually care to