Choose a patient-care situation in which the RN should intervene and advocate for the patient. An example of such a situation might be when a patient has not been given complete informed consent.
Include the following in your paper:
- Describe the clinical situation concisely and descriptively. It can be an actual situation or a hypothetical one.
- Apply the Bioethical Decision Making Model to the specific clinical ethical situation that you choose. Address each section of the model in your paper.
- Conclude with a discussion of nursing advocacy in the clinical setting and the nurse’s role as a patient advocate.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In healthcare, advocating for patients is a crucial role that nurses undertake to ensure the best possible outcomes for their patients. This involves speaking up for patients, protecting their rights, and ensuring they receive proper care and treatment. In this paper, we will discuss a patient-care situation in which a registered nurse (RN) should intervene and advocate for the patient. To guide our analysis, we will apply the Bioethical Decision Making Model and explore the role of nursing advocacy in the clinical setting.
Patient-Care Situation:
Imagine a scenario where a patient is scheduled for surgery to remove a benign tumor. The surgical team has thoroughly explained the procedure to the patient, but the patient’s understanding of the risks and benefits of the surgery appears to be incomplete. The patient’s family has expressed concerns about the potential complications of the operation but has not been provided with detailed information regarding alternative treatments or potential long-term effects.
Applying the Bioethical Decision Making Model:
The Bioethical Decision Making Model provides a framework for assessing ethical dilemmas in healthcare. Let’s evaluate the situation using this model:
1. Identify the problem: The problem in this situation is the lack of complete informed consent. The patient and their family do not have a comprehensive understanding of the risks, benefits, alternatives, and potential long-term effects of the surgery.
2. Gather information: The nurse needs to gather information about the patient’s understanding of the surgery, their concerns, and any questions they may have. Additionally, the nurse should gather information from the healthcare team to ensure they have provided accurate and comprehensive information to the patient and their family.
3. Identify ethical principles: In this case, the ethical principles involved are autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence. The patient has the right to make an informed decision about their treatment (autonomy). The healthcare team has a duty to act in the patient’s best interest and promote their well-being (beneficence), while also avoiding harm (non-maleficence).
4. Explore alternatives: The nurse should explore alternative options with the patient and their family, providing comprehensive information about other treatment options available, potential outcomes, and associated risks and benefits.
5. Implement and evaluate the decision: The nurse should advocate for the patient by ensuring that proper informed consent is obtained. This may involve facilitating a conversation between the patient, their family, and the healthcare team to address concerns, provide complete information, and obtain consent.
Nursing Advocacy and the Nurse’s Role:
Nursing advocacy in the clinical setting is essential to protect patients’ rights and ensure they receive the best possible care. Nurses act as the patient’s voice and collaborate with the healthcare team to promote patient autonomy, informed decision-making, and overall well-being. In situations like the one described above, nurses have a responsibility to intervene and advocate for the patient’s right to complete and accurate information about their treatment options.
Conclusion:
In summary, advocating for patients is a vital role that nurses play in the clinical setting. By applying the Bioethical Decision Making Model, nurses can evaluate situations where advocacy is necessary and take appropriate action to ensure patients are well-informed and have a say in their healthcare decisions. The example provided highlights the importance of clear and complete informed consent and the nurse’s role in advocating for patients’ rights to make well-informed decisions about their care.
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