Homework Help | What would you do in this scenario?

The purpose of this task is to explore how nursing ethics, self-advocacy, and professional accountability can be applied in clinical practice. Using the provided case scenario, you will be required to think about how ethical concepts can be used to make clinical decisions and explore the differences in personal and professional beliefs. You will develop personalized stress management plans that rely on the use of adaptive coping strategies to ensure personal health and well-being.
SCENARIO
You have been working as a nurse in the adult oncology unit for the past year. You have developed a close relationship with many of your patients, but Mr. Newcomb has a special place in your heart. He has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and has undergone aggressive chemotherapy. Each day his wife has come to the unit to be with her husband. They have been married for over 40 years and share a deep love.

Mr. and Mrs. Newcomb have made the decision to no longer continue with treatment and have decided that hospice care is needed. Over the past few days, you have watched Mr. Newcomb’s health decline, and you can tell from your experience that he does not have much time left to live. Mr. Newcomb has been very open about discussing his death, and you have had the opportunity to learn about his life and the legacy he will leave behind.

While you are completing your rounds, you stop in Mr. Newcomb’s room to see how he is doing. You ask, “Is there anything else I can do for you?” Mr. Newcomb has rarely asked for anything, but today he has one request. Mr. Newcomb states, “Before I die, I would like to see my mistress one more time. Mrs. Newcomb is always here. Do you think you could tell her that I will be busy for a few hours tomorrow so I can make arrangements to see my mistress one more time?”

Reflect on the following questions before you begin working on this task:

• What would you do in this scenario?

• How can your knowledge of ethical principles be utilized to determine your response to Mr. Newcomb?

• How would this affect you as a nurse and direct provider of care for Mr. Newcomb?

MODEL ANSWER

Nurses are often faced with many ethical and moral dilemmas in their course of duty. However, although compliance with such an ethical mandate is key, it should not compromise the quality that such patients have to receive. The application of an ethical dilemma is presented in a scenario as will be evaluated in this essay.

How to Respond to Mr. Newcomb’s Request

The request made by the patient presents an ethical dilemma in many ways. Firstly, the principle of autonomy requires that patients be part of their care and are at liberty to make requests that need to be adhered to if the provider deems fit. On the other hand, beneficence calls on health care providers to do all that can benefit the patient in | PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW AT writtask.com | decline the patient’s request, which is to lie to the wife to allow him see the mistress (Leffers & McDermott, 2019). I find the need for closer medical care far more important than personal life. According to the Code of ethics with interpretive statements, patients’ needs should not subject nurses to immoral behavior at the work environment. Therefore, as much as the patients’ interests ought to be adhered to, nurses must always think of the implications. 

How to Apply the Principle of Beneficence, Non-Maleficence, Autonomy, and Justice

Autonomy describes allowing the patient to act as they please. I will, therefore, allow the patient to | PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW AT writtask.com | any request without necessarily | PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW AT writtask.com | mean I execute all requests, especially those that violate nursing | PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW AT writtask.com | is beneficence that calls on nurses to act for the good of the patient. I will accomplish this by doing all I can to guarantee quality care at | PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW AT writtask.com | adhere to non-maleficence by avoiding any requests that are likely to harm the patient. Lastly, I will apply the principle of justice by treating the patient with utmost fairness and equality, as is the case for patients at the oncology setting.

How Personal Beliefs and Values Influenced My Response to The Scenario

Personal beliefs and values are essential in defining our level of engagement at the place of work. Through the values and beliefs, the quality of care is always | PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW AT writtask.com | in honesty/ adherence to integrity and patient-related data confidentiality, as reflected in the HIPAA regulations. On the other hand, honesty is adhered to by being truthful to the patient and caregivers without compromising the | PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW AT writtask.com | be a violation of the tenets of honesty that I have always adhered to. On the other hand, confidentiality will entail respecting the patient’s privacy and not meddling into | PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW AT writtask.com | not bother to inform the wife of the existing mistress.

Strategies That Promote Self-Care

The best strategies to help promote self-care are exercising, eating healthy, and coming up with a | PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW AT writtask.com | in physical activities is the best way to be safe from opportunistic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and other cardiovascular conditions. It will also improve my mental and physical wellbeing, which are critical in improving the quality | PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW AT writtask.com | balance allows time to develop socially and attainment of personal goals. Additionally, work-life balance allows me to stay away from the pressures that come with juggling many engagements both at school and at home.

References

Leffers, J., & McDermott-Levy, R. (2019, November). Ethical principles for global health nursing: Promoting equity in practice. In APHA’s 2019 Annual Meeting and Expo (Nov. 2-Nov. 6). American Public Health Association. Retrieved from https://apha.confex.com/apha/2019/meetingapi.cgi/Paper/448048?filename=2019_Abstract448048.pdf&template=Word

McDermott-Levy, R., Leffers, J., & Mayaka, J. (2018). Ethical principles and guidelines of global health nursing practice. Nursing Outlook, 66(5), 473-481. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2018.06.013