Question

Ethan is an orderly in a skilled nursing care facility. He is charged  with supervising patients in the dining room on a day when  two of his coworkers have called in sick, leaving  the facility shorthanded. On this day, several patients seem more irritable than usual, and  Ethan is kept busy  preventing outbursts and calming them. He also worries about  patients prone  to choking episodes, and finds himself feeling harried and stressed.

Wallace, an 80-year-old confined to a wheelchair, demands that Ethan help him back to his room. "It's a mad­ house in here today,"  he shouts. Ethan  knows  he cannot  leave his post,  and panics when Wallace heads for the door.

Ethan runs ahead  of Wallace, shuts the double doors to the dining room, and locks them.

1. Has Ethan acted ethically?  Explain  your answer.
2. What would you do in a similar situation?  Use steps one through five for ethical decision  making to reach a solution. Describe how each step was used.
3. Do you believe your solution is more ethical  than Ethan's? Why or why not?

Answer 1

NO, not at all. Ethan didn't act ethically.
He is there to provide care and take care of mental patients in every situation even if he is in worst condition.

I would follow these steps in this situation:-

1. Listen without making judgements and concentrate on their needs in that moment : first of all i would prefer that what is patient's need. I would asses all the patients including wallace.  

2. Ask them what would help them : if any patient got irritate in the unit i would confirm the need of patient. I would help the wallace to reach him in the room.

3.Reassure and signpost to practical information or resources : all resources should be available in the ward.

4. Avoid confrontation : Never go in front of patient if patient is irritable. Try to find out the reason indirecly otherwise he can harm you.

5. Ask if there is someone they would like you to contact : inspite of all efforts if patient doesn't calm than treat him with patience. Never restraints or lock the patients.

Yes, because it's a proper way to treat with a mental patient. Nurse should be calm in any situation and focused on patient need not himself comfort.