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.

Nightingale answered 1 year ago

Next > < Previous

Related Solutions

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

consider You are a registered nurse (RN) in the intensive care unit (ICU) at your facility....

consider You are a registered nurse (RN) in the intensive care unit (ICU) at your facility. The ICU has 24 beds, 1 nurse manager, 4 clinical nurse specialists (on a rotating schedule), and 6 charge nurses (on a rotating schedule). Typically, your unit has anywhere from 18-24 patients per shift. In order to climb the clinical ladder, you have been asked to create a new policy for your unit that will improve patient outcomes related to Readmissions. Research best practices...

A patient admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) is to receive vancomycin. When administering vancomycin,...

A patient admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) is to receive vancomycin. When administering vancomycin, the nurse should assess for which potential toxic effect? Hepatotoxicity Nephrotoxicity Neurotoxicity Retinal toxicity Answer and why?

George is a 75 year-old patient with urosepsis being treated in the Intensive care unit (ICU)....

George is a 75 year-old patient with urosepsis being treated in the Intensive care unit (ICU). The nurse assesses George and finds that he has blood in his urine and stool, and is oozing blood from his central line site and his gums. What does the nurse suspect maybe occurring with George? What medications should the nurse avoid administering to George? The nurse is monitoring George’s vital signs every 15 minutes. What other monitoring is essential to include along with...

The nurse working on a cardiac care unit is caring for a patient whose stroke volume...

The nurse working on a cardiac care unit is caring for a patient whose stroke volume has increased. The nurse is aware that afterload influences a patient's stroke volume. The nurse recognizes that afterload is increased when which is present? a. sepsis b. venous congestion c. arterial vasodilation d. hypertension

Ms. Thom, age 46, works as an RN in the intensive care unit at a large...

Ms. Thom, age 46, works as an RN in the intensive care unit at a large busy medical center. Over the last three years she has gained 30 lbs and quit attending the fitness classes at the local recreation center. Her co-workers keep trying to get her to come back to fitness class, but she says that she is too tired after work and just wants to go home. She has smoked for 15 years, but says that she is...

You are a staff nurse working in an intensive care unit and assigned to care for...

You are a staff nurse working in an intensive care unit and assigned to care for a 75-year-old man who had coronary artery bypass graft surgery 4 days ago. The patient has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbated by heavy smoking. His postoperative course has been difficult, and he has suffered a number of setbacks. The staff, despite their diligent efforts, have not been able to wean him off the ventilator since the surgery. He has required frequent...

Nurse Frank Brown has been a nurse in the intensive care unit (ICU) for at least...

Nurse Frank Brown has been a nurse in the intensive care unit (ICU) for at least 15 years and is extremely clinically proficient. Today he is caring for Mrs. Gonzalez, a young mother of two who is recovering from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Mrs. Gonzalez is very anxious about being in the hospital without seeing her children and wants to be able to see them, although they are very young and not typically allowed in the ICU....

Nurse Mary Garrison has been a nurse in the intensive care unit (ICU) for the last...

Nurse Mary Garrison has been a nurse in the intensive care unit (ICU) for the last 10 years and she is extremely clinically proficient. Today she is caring for Mrs. Gonzalez, a young mother of three who is recovering from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Mrs. Gonzalez is worried about being in the hospital so long without seeing her children and wants to be able to see them although they are very young and not typically allowed in...

You work in the surgical intensive care unit (ICU) of a large urban hospital. Over the...

You work in the surgical intensive care unit (ICU) of a large urban hospital. Over the past 2 days, a number of patients in the unit have developed serious Staphylococcus aureus infections. Why do postoperative patients have an increased risk of infection?

Subjects