Question

In: Nursing

An RN working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is caring for a patient with an...

An RN working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is caring for a patient with an acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage related to Hepatitis C liver damage that resulted from cocaine abuse. At the end of the shift, the outgoing RN states to the incoming RN, “I have been in that patient’s room all day, transfusing blood products. It’s such a waste of resources. Why should we even bother to treat him, since he will just be using cocaine again after discharge?”

Initial Discussion Post:

Address the following:

What is the most appropriate way for the incoming RN to approach this situation after hearing the outgoing nurse’s comments? Include both ethical and legal considerations.
What is the role of an RN in addressing the value system of other health care team members that may have a negative impact on patient care? Include both ethical and legal considerations.
Should an RN be able to refuse an assignment if a patient’s value system is in direct conflict with his/her own? Why or why not? Include both ethical and legal considerations.

Solutions

Expert Solution

As in this case of the acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage related to Hepatitis C liver damage resulted due to cocaine abuse. By taking the report from the outgoing nurse assigned for the care of this patient, RN should make the further proceedings.

As the outgoing nurse reports that she has been in that patient’s room all day, transfusing blood products. She also states that it’s such a waste of resources. Why should we even bother to treat him, since he will just be using cocaine again after discharge?

Based on the above conversation, after hearing the nurse's comment the RN should not make the immediate concern. In this case he should use all the legal proceedings first related the abuse case.

Then as per the ethics he should advise not to stop the therapy of the patients. Furthermore the RN should address the value system of other health care team members and advise not to stop the therapy as it may have a negative impact on patient care.

Still the RN should not refuse the current assignment of the therapy, even the case of conflict. As per the code of ethics the RNs should advise to take the proper care of the patients, then there is need of the proper patient counseling.

Then by taking the consideration of social and cultural believes of the patients the RN should assure the proper care of the patients as per the ethical considerations.


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