Nursing Health Care: Ethical Issues- Assessment Answer

Internal Code: 1HAFF

Nursing Essay Writing Assignment:

Task:

1. select ONE case study from the list below;
2. identify the ethical issues that are raised by the events described in the chosen
case study
3. analyse the ethical issues in relation to the notions of human dignity, human rights,
your professional codes of ethics/conduct, relevant professional policies/legislation,
and the principles of health care ethics studied in this unit; and
4. make recommendations for professional practice

CASE STUDY 1

Amos was a high school student living away from home at a residential property near his school in Malawi. There were other students in the same year level of studying with him; however, they were living in the boarding facilities provided by the school. One day, during the school term, the nearby hospital reported that many students were presenting to the facility with an array of severe symptoms, including abdominal pain, profuse watery diarrhoea, vomiting, thirst, muscle cramps, restlessness and irritability. Some students were admitted to the hospital for treatment. Staff at the hospital soon realised that they were dealing with a cholera outbreak. Amos was not spared from this illness and, like most students who were unwell, presented himself at the hospital.

The triage nurse and doctor on duty realised that they did not have enough medical supplies for everyone; so, they decided to limit treatment to only those students who were boarders at the school, excluding all other students. Amos argued that while he was residing outside of the school premises, he still remained a student at this particular school. However, his efforts to seek help were futile, and he was sent away without treatment.

Amos decided to return to his home so that he could be looked after by his family. By the time Amos arrived home, he was severely dehydrated, went into shock, and died within hours of his arrival.

CASE STUDY 2
Justin and Daisy were doctoral students conducting research into the effectiveness of pilates in maintaining mobility and balance in men who had Parkinsons Disease (PD). The participants were over the age of seventy. Their research was conducted over a three year period. Justin and Daisy also worked part-time in private physiotherapy practice.

The task of recruiting sufficient numbers of participants was difficult but, ultimately, they managed to recruit just enough for their research findings to be meaningful. However, 18 months into the trial, 60% of the research participants had withdrawn from the pilates program, reporting lack of interest or enjoyment in the classes. Justin and Daisy, in an effort to continue their research, (secretly) offered topay the participants $200 each time they attended a pilates class. To fund this promise, they made fraudulent claims to private health insurance companies and, as well, provided additional (and unnecessary) services to their existing clients in private practice. The promise of a financial reward was effective in inducing research participants to return to pilates sessions. Ultimately, Justin and Daisy’s research project was completed and the findings, which demonstrated that pilates is effective in improving mobility and balance in older men with PD, was published in international journals. Consequently, physiotherapists now recommend pilates classes to their patients who have been diagnosed with PD. As well, private health insurance companies have agreed to cover the cost of pilates classes for older patients with PD. Notably, few claims are made to them overall as the majority of older men with PD do not attend pilates classes for long.

CASE STUDY 3
Jack and Sophie are paramedics. They are called out to a home at 2200 hours. On arrival, they hear shouting from inside the house. A woman (Sandra) opens the door to them and states that her 2 year-old child, Milly, has had a fall. Jack and Sophie examine Milly who is crying and clutching her arm. They suspect a likely fracture of the humerus, and inform Sandra that they will need to transport Milly to a nearby hospital for treatment. Sandra’s partner emerges from the kitchen, visibly intoxicated. He verbally abuses Sandra and the paramedics, and attempts to prevent them from removing Milly from the house. Jack and Sophie warn Sandra’s partner that they will need to call the police if they are unable to proceed with the transfer. On the way to hospital, Sophie notices small, round-shaped burns on Milly’s legs and abdomen. On arrival at the hospital, they are greeted by Beth, the triage nurse. They report their concerns to her regarding possible physical abuse. Beth states that she will report the matter to the doctors.
After receiving a handover from the paramedics, Beth is called to check a dose of Morphine with an agency nurse on duty. Beth checks the order and removes a 10mg ampoule from the locked cupboard. The agency nurse draws up the prescribed dose of 2.5mgs. She then draws up the remainder of the ampoule in a separate syringe and states: “do you want to go halves on this”?