...Issues Ethics is an integral part to nursing practice. The American Code of Ethics for Nurses (ANA) with interpretive statements acts as a guide for professional conduct by outlining the ethical values of the profession. The Code provides the profession with a statement of responsibility to the public and serves as a basis for individual nursing decisions in clinical situations when ethical dilemmas arise. The code integrates universal, ethical principles which serve as the foundation for ethical actions. Nurses face ethical dilemmas on a daily basis. Our primary goal as nurses is the commitment to protect our patients. Provision 2 of the American Nursing Code of Ethics, describes the nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient. (ANA, 2010). Another important goal is to maintain safety, dignity and accountability. Respect the patient’s confidentiality and autonomy. The Nurse acts as the person who helps and advocates for the patient and their families about health care and end of life decisions. According to the American Nurse Association Code of Ethics, Provision 1:1 states that, “a fundamental principle that underlines all nursing practice is respect for the inherent worth, dignity, and human rights of every individual” (ANA, 2010). In the case study of Marianne a comatose patient, she has no advance directives, leaving her husband and children to make the decisions with different opinions. (Chitty & Black, 2011, pg.175). The ethics committee is already...
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...Ethical Issues with Case Studies Kimberley Corkran, Kleopatra G Jikokaj, Nicole Sherrod, Novia Williams Course/Number 12-08-2014 Mary Nicks Legal and Ethical Issues Introduction Nurses are governed by their nurses’ association code of ethics. Each individual also have values and beliefs which guides their behavior, however in the work setting the nurses association code of ethics supersede. As an individual, when we commit an offence, even though we are guided by our association code of ethics it is the law of our country by which we will be judged. In this paper we will be exploring how personal and societal values, and the American Nurses Association (ANA) code of ethics would influence decision in two scenarios involving patients. One case in which a nurse is a witness against her colleague in a malpractice case, in which her colleagues negligence resulted in harm to the patient, and she have reported her colleagues acts of negligence to her administrator on several occasion. The other case involves a patient who was diagnosed hemorrhagic stroke requiring ventilator assistance. Her family is divided in what the management should be, with her husband wanting to try everything to save her life and her children believing that she would not want to do surgery to be kept alive to live a poor quality life, which they believe will occur if she did the surgery. We will also be looking at the fundamental legal aspects of each case and the legal responsibility...
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...legal issues will be reviewed concerning the decisions and responsibilities of the nurse in the case of Marianne who has had a stroke and the decisions that the family is facing for treatment or end of life care. The legal and ethical issues in a malpractice case that occurred several years ago and the responsibility of the nurse to her employer, the nurse being sued, the client in question, and the institution’s client will be reviewed. The areas that will be reviewed include how the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics would influence a final decision in each case study, how personal and societal values can influence the ethical decision making, the fundamental legal aspects of each case study, and the legal responsibility of the nurse in the work setting. The ANA code of Ethics must be followed in practice and is an especially useful tool when there are difficult legal and ethical issues that arise in nursing practice. In the example of the malpractice case for negligence, as a witness to questionable practice, it is the nurse’s primary responsibility to protect the safety of the patient. Although the nurse was correct in reporting the episode to administration, she also had a duty to counsel the nurse about the inappropriate standard of care. The ANA is clear that when a nurse is aware of questionable practice the person must be confronted with the concern ("Code Of Ethics for Nurses With Interpretive Statements", 2010). Furthermore, if the nurse was asked at if she...
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...technology have provided patients with an array of treatment options as well as assumed or possible increased chance of survival. As a result, nurses are met with a rise in ethical decision making. This paper will discuss the legal, ethical, social, and personal factors that can impact our decision making process, with the focus on two specific case studies. American Nurses Association Code of Nursing Ethics Role in Practice The American Nursing Association (ANA) has created a set of ethical standards for the profession of nursing to abide by, which is entitled the ANA Nursing Code of Ethics. The ANA Code of Ethics states that collaboration is central to the care nurses deliver and to their ethical commitment to the patient (Garity, 2005). In the end-of-life case study, the nurse (she) has an unwritten obligation to the patient; the family appears to be in conflict with how to proceed with the patient's medical treatment. The medical team has an obligation to give the family all of their options and possible outcomes. If the family remains in conflict, it would then be appropriate for her to refer the family to the Patient’s Ethics Committee. Referring the family to the committee allows the family to make the final decision of what would be the most favorable outcome for the patient. The critical thinking exercise, however has more of an individual ethical dilemma. This includes the ethical principles of justice and veracity. She should reflect on her own values to determine...
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...The client’s wishes may conflict with the institutional policies, physician professional opinion, the client’s family desires, or even the laws of the state. According to the nursing code of ethics, the nurse’s first allegiance is to the client (Blais & Hayes, 2011, pg. 60). The ethical ideals of each nurse must be weighed with the laws of the state along with providing the most ethical care for the patient. The advancements in medical technology make it possible to sustain a patient life where previously there was no hope of recovery. These advancements have put nurses in the forefront of decision making begging the question “just because we can, should we” to be answered. Nurses need to understand the legalities involved with these new technologies to practice safely and effectively. Scientific achievements have opened new ground for nursing exploration. In response to the need for nursing input into social and legal issues, nurses now find career opportunities as forensic nurses, legal nurse consultants, and nurse-attorneys (Blais & Hayes, 2011, pg. 75). This paper will explore the ethical and legal issues encountered by nurses in two case studies. The American Nurses Association Code of Nursing Ethics could influence a final decision in each case study that was presented. The six caps study revealed family members to have conflict in their desires when it came time for a decision in going ahead with surgery (the father’s desire) and having a poor quality of life as the outcome...
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...the ethical decisions both personally and professionally when ethical reason both for and against the choice are both equally desirable (Pierce, 1997). The ANA Code of Ethics with Interpretive Statements offers a statement for every professional nurse’s ethical obligations and duties, ethical standard, and commitment to society (ANA, 2001). Nurse must continuously meet standards of care and the ANA Code of Ethics and uphold fundamental legalities. Taking a closer look into the nurses ethical responsibility and fundamental legalities associated with direct patient care and as it would apply in the case study case study of patient Marianne, a 79 year-old female, who is admitted to the emergency department with hemorrhagic stroke, a grave prognosis of recovery and no advance directive. This paper will discuss legal responsibilities of the registered nurse as witness in a malpractice case of a nurse colleague found negligent in following standards of nursing practice. “The nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient who is the recipient of nursing care,” (Rushton, Dixon, & Wavra, 2005, p. 6). This quote applies to both nursing dilemmas discussed. The primary obligation of the nurse is to protect the patient’s best interest, maintaining safety, dignity and ethical accountability, which is essential in Marianne’s case, as she is neurologically unstable and unable to self direct care and is without a living will....
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...ethical reason both for and against the choice are both equally desirable (Pierce, 1997). The ANA Code of Ethics with Interpretive Statements offers a statement for every professional nurse’s ethical obligations and duties, ethical standard, and commitment to society (ANA, 2001). Nurse must continuously meet standards of care and the ANA Code of Ethics and uphold fundamental legalities. Taking a closer look into the nurses ethical responsibility and fundamental legalities associated with direct patient care and as it would apply in the case study case study of patient Marianne, a 79 year-old female, who is admitted to the emergency department with hemorrhagic stroke, a grave prognosis of recovery and no advance directive. This paper will discuss legal responsibilities of the registered nurse as witness in a malpractice case of a nurse colleague found negligent in following standards of nursing practice. “The nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient who is the recipient of nursing care,” (Rushton, Dixon, & Wavra, 2005, p. 6). This quote applies to both nursing dilemmas discussed. The primary obligation of the nurse is to protect the patient’s best interest, maintaining safety, dignity and ethical accountability, which is essential in Marianne’s case, as she is neurologically unstable and unable to self direct care and is without a living will. According to the ANA Code of Ethics with Interpretive Statements, the...
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...In nursing, many legal and ethical decisions must be made as part of the profession. There are many tools that nurses can use including the America Nursing Association (ANA) Code of Ethics. Nursing staff should listen to patient’s personal and societal values, and know the legal aspects and responsibilities that relate to this profession. In the first case study, a family has had a tragedy where the mother has had a hemorrhagic stroke, and her outcome looks bleak. As a nurse, first the first responsibility is to be empathetic during these tragic times. Then nursing staff needs to help the family unite on whatever their decision. Provision two of the ANA code of ethics state “The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community.” (Silva, Sorrell, 2006). The family, if they have no medical background, has no clue the avenues of care the facility can take, so they need to be informed. The Code of Ethics in provision three says, “The nurse promotes, advocates for, and strives to protect the health, safety, and rights of the patient.” (Silva, Sorrell, 2006). Many different personal values from different members of the family that need to be addressed so the decision can be made united. When faced with tough decisions, both our personal views and societies outlook can affect the decision making process. Our personal feelings or beliefs can cloud our mind from the big picture. Our heart may say, “Do the surgery!” but we may forget...
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...when called upon to testify against a current employer. The American Nurses Association Code of Nursing Ethics is one of the main tools available for the nurse to utilize when it comes to making these tough decisions. The nurse may apply personal values as well as societal values to these cases in order to come to a sound, ethical decision. The legal aspects of each of these cases can have a profound effect on the continuing career of the nurse, a thorough evaluation is necessary to protect all involved. Finally, the nurse also carries a legal responsibility to her profession, workplace, patients, and self. Ethical and legal decision-making are complex but after a thorough assessment, the nurse can continue to make an ethically and legally sound judgment on how to proceed. Influence of the ANA Code of Nursing Ethics The ANA Code of Nursing Ethics is the first reference when deciding how to proceed with an incapacitated patient who has no advanced directive or how a nurse should react when called upon to testify against an employer in a negligence or malpractice case. This code, designed to assist the nurse in maintaining his or her ethical integrity as well as protect the nurse and patient during ethical dilemmas, is the foundation for ethical decision making (Blais & Hayes). According to American Nursing Association (2001), the nurse should place the patient first in both of these cases. The nurse’s top priority and legal responsibility is to the safety and wellbeing of the...
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... Ethical and Legal Issues Learning Team A 2 Ethical and Legal Issues Paper How can the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics influence a final decision in each of the case studies: Case Study A: End of life, Case Study B: Nursing Negligence? In regard to Case Study A, the ANA has a clearly stated position on end of life care and initiating a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) with end of life decision making. It states, “Nursing care is directed toward meeting the comprehensive needs of patients and their families across the continuum of care. This is particularly vital in the care of patients and families at the end of life to prevent and relieve the cascade of symptoms and suffering that are commonly associated with dying. Nurses are leaders and vigilant advocates for the delivery of dignified and humane care. Nurses actively participate in assessing and assuring the responsible and appropriate use of interventions in order to minimize unwarranted or unwanted treatment and patient suffering” (ANA, p.7). With this said, the code of ethics committee would expect for the nursing staff to have given all possible information regarding a DNR to the patient’s family members. Ultimately, because the patient did not have any advanced directives the final decision would be made by the husband. Had the husband been...
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...Today's healthcare environment is increasingly complex, as issues compete for importance. As a consequence of this, nurses frequently face ethical dilemmas. In deciding the best course of action in such dilemmas, nurses can look for guidance to professional standards of conduct, such as those enumerated in the Code of Ethics of the American Nursing Association (ANA). According to Mahlmeister (1996), each nurse should own a copy of the ANA code, as this document can provide guidance on situations that nurses face on an almost daily basis. For example, consider a situation that may result from one hospital trying to institute policies concerning cost containment. In order to keep the cost down, the nurse in charge of a 7 bed unit (without a nurse's assistance) is expected under a restructuring plan to also work a second adult ward if there are fewer than three children on the pediatric unit during the night shift (Mahlmeister, 1996). This split shift leaves these pediatric patients unattended while the nurse is in the adult ward. The ANA Code of Ethics states that it is the nurse's responsibility "to safeguard the client and the public when health care and safety are affected by incompetent, unethical or illegal practice of any person" (Mahlmeister, 1996, p. 130). Even though this nurse was ordered by a manager to leave the pediatric setting, the nurse is personally accountable for his or her actions for any situation that may arise during this absence. Not only is this practice...
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...Today's healthcare environment is increasingly complex, as issues compete for importance. As a consequence of this, nurses frequently face ethical dilemmas. In deciding the best course of action in such dilemmas, nurses can look for guidance to professional standards of conduct, such as those enumerated in the Code of Ethics of the American Nursing Association (ANA). According to Mahlmeister (1996), each nurse should own a copy of the ANA code, as this document can provide guidance on situations that nurses face on an almost daily basis. For example, consider a situation that may result from one hospital trying to institute policies concerning cost containment. In order to keep the cost down, the nurse in charge of a 7 bed unit (without a nurse's assistance) is expected under a restructuring plan to also work a second adult ward if there are fewer than three children on the pediatric unit during the night shift (Mahlmeister, 1996). This split shift leaves these pediatric patients unattended while the nurse is in the adult ward. The ANA Code of Ethics states that it is the nurse's responsibility "to safeguard the client and the public when health care and safety are affected by incompetent, unethical or illegal practice of any person" (Mahlmeister, 1996, p. 130). Even though this nurse was ordered by a manager to leave the pediatric setting, the nurse is personally accountable for his or her actions for any situation that may arise during this absence. Not only is this practice...
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...Today's healthcare environment is increasingly complex, as issues compete for importance. As a consequence of this, nurses frequently face ethical dilemmas. In deciding the best course of action in such dilemmas, nurses can look for guidance to professional standards of conduct, such as those enumerated in the Code of Ethics of the American Nursing Association (ANA). According to Mahlmeister (1996), each nurse should own a copy of the ANA code, as this document can provide guidance on situations that nurses face on an almost daily basis. For example, consider a situation that may result from one hospital trying to institute policies concerning cost containment. In order to keep the cost down, the nurse in charge of a 7 bed unit (without a nurse's assistance) is expected under a restructuring plan to also work a second adult ward if there are fewer than three children on the pediatric unit during the night shift (Mahlmeister, 1996). This split shift leaves these pediatric patients unattended while the nurse is in the adult ward. The ANA Code of Ethics states that it is the nurse's responsibility "to safeguard the client and the public when health care and safety are affected by incompetent, unethical or illegal practice of any person" (Mahlmeister, 1996, p. 130). Even though this nurse was ordered by a manager to leave the pediatric setting, the nurse is personally accountable for his or her actions for any situation that may arise during this absence. Not only is this practice...
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...Nurses should encourage further development of the incorporation of a patient’s religious/spiritual beliefs in GAD treatment based on the first three provisions of the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses, which promote dedication to the...
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...education and political affiliations, all nurses should be aware about nursing laws and ethics and understand how nursing legal issues can affect them. The American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics is very influential to nurses because it is used as a framework for making ethical decisions with all aspects of health care. The foundation in any successful professional practice, are based on ethics, values, morals and principles from which the ANA Code of Ethics are formatted. Moral leadership in nursing is about professionalism, responsibility, accountability, and competency. Nurses have an obligation to preserve their patient’s values, beliefs and dignity, to assure optimal health care, personal well- being, and promote quality of life. In all aspect of nursing, nurses are role models, healthcare providers, patient advocates and are required to meet the needs of their patients. Which can be done by communicating openly and honestly, being fair and trustworthy, being proactive, and by putting patients first. Nurses are face with ethical dilemmas on a daily basic therefore, must examine their own personal and professional values and morals in order to maintain a caring and compassionate relationship with their patients. When complex ethical issues involving health care arise, the Ethics Committee may be needed for additional resources to aid the patient and family. The Ethics Committee is made up of multidisciplinary groups drawn from the institution and the local...
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