Case scenario 2
Ajay is an enrolled nurse who works on the spinal injuries ward. Ajay has just
returned from 3 weeks off on worker’s compensation due to a lower back injury at
work as a result of incorrect manual patient handling. Ajay has returned to work on
light duties (no manual lifting) as part of the return to work process for the next 10
shifts.
The majority of work on a spinal injuries ward is manual handling of patients
including turning and lifting patients in and out of bed. All of Ajay’s colleagues know
that he has recently hurt his back but are continually asking him to help with
patient manual handling as he is the only male on the ward this shift. Ajay’s
colleagues feel he is useless to them if he cannot lift patients, they are calling him
lazy, uncooperative and have put in a complaint to the Nursing Unit Manager.
Ajay wants to do the right thing but knows that he risks further injury if he agrees to
lift patients who are in desperate need of his care, he is confused and conflicted.
Provide responses for the following questions in relation to case scenario
2
6. What legislation could Ajay draw upon to support his actions of not lifting
patients even though he has returned to work? (Min 50 words)
A: The Code of Professional Conduct Statement 1of the NMBA suggests that a
nurse must practice in a safe and competent method, while providing care to
patients. They are prohibited to take any actions that are not within their scope,
as it can be unsafe for the patients. So, Ajay can present the example of this
statement to justify his action.
7. What responsibility does Ajay have to his work colleagues in this situation?
(Min 50words)
A: Ajay can communicate with his colleagues and convince them about the
reasons behind his course of action. He can state that his lifting up of the
patients with spinal injury in this incompetent condition, can pose probable
threats to their already emergent health conditions. He can explain that his
action can aggravate the condition of the critical patients, and he must refrain
from doing so. Arnold and Boggs (2019) revealed that intraprofessional
communication is a very necessary aspect in nursing for proper care of
Australian Harbour International College, 114-120
Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
|RTO NO: 41338 | CRICOS Provider Code: 03449J
Student Name:
Filename: HLTENN008 Apply legal and ethical
parameters to nursing practice
Version 3.0/ July
2019
Review Date:
Sept 2020
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